Chapter 14: The Insurance Policy Nobody Knew About
By noon, Emily was sitting in an interview room at the police station.
The second insurance policy had been issued three years earlier.
Emily was the insured person.
Marcus was the beneficiary.
The policy was worth $750,000.
I stared at the investigator's printed copy.
"Why would he insure my sister?""
Detective Harris turned the page.
"According to the application, Emily had been diagnosed with a serious neurological condition.""
I looked at Emily.
She shook her head.
"I've never had a neurological condition.""
"Did you know about the policy?""
"No.""
Detective Harris pointed to the signature.
"Someone signed your name.""
Emily covered her mouth.
The similarities were impossible to ignore.
A fabricated medical history.
A doctor willing to alter records.
An insurance policy.
A plan to obtain financial control.
I felt a chill.
"Was Marcus planning to do the same thing to her?""
The detective nodded.
"We're investigating that possibility.""
Emily started crying.
"Lauren, I didn't know.""
I looked at her.
"I believe you didn't know about the policy.""
She nodded desperately.
"But you knew about mine.""
Her expression collapsed.
"Yes.""
I turned away.
Detective Harris continued.
"We also recovered several emails from Dr. Collins's office. They show that Marcus paid him through three separate companies.""
"Has Collins been arrested?""
"He was detained at the airport this morning. Investigators are questioning him.""
I leaned forward.
"What about the procedure scheduled for tomorrow?""
"It has been canceled. The hospital has been notified that you did not authorize it.""
I exhaled.
For the first time, I felt a small piece of my life returning.
Then the detective placed another document on the table.
"There's something else.""
It was a bank transfer.
A payment of $500,000.
The recipient was a company called Hayes Medical Consulting.
Daniel stared at it.
"That's my father's old company.""
Detective Harris nodded.
"According to the financial records, the company received money shortly before Robert Hayes died.""
Daniel's face hardened.
"Who authorized the transfer?""
The detective pointed to the signature.
Marcus Mitchell.
I looked at the date.
The day before Robert was scheduled to meet me.
Daniel pushed his chair backward.
"My father wasn't just killed to prevent him from meeting Lauren. His money was stolen, too.""
Detective Harris nodded.
"We're treating the financial transactions and the medical records as connected evidence. But we need the doctor's full testimony before drawing conclusions about the deaths.""
I appreciated that distinction.
We had enough evidence of betrayal.
We didn't need to invent answers before the investigation was complete.
A uniformed officer entered.
"Detective, we have a development.""
Harris stood.
"What?""
"Collins has requested legal representation. But he agreed to provide information about Marcus.""
Daniel looked at me.
"What information?""
The officer handed the detective a sealed statement.
Harris read it.
His expression changed.
"Apparently, Collins claims Marcus paid him to alter Lauren's medical records and prepare the guardianship documentation.""
"That's what we already suspected," I said.
"There's more. Collins says Marcus told him the insurance policy was intended to protect the family from financial losses.""
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"Protect the family?""
Harris continued.
"Collins also claims that Marcus provided him with a second set of medical records belonging to Evelyn Mitchell and instructed him to destroy the originals.""
I gripped the table.
"Can he prove it?""
"He says he kept copies.""
The detective looked toward the door.
"There's also a recording.""
He played it.
Marcus's voice was unmistakable.
"Lauren has to be declared incompetent before the trust transfers.""
Collins answered:
"What if the court requests an independent examination?""
"Then we'll arrange one. By that point, she'll already be taking the medication.""
"You're sure the dosage won't cause permanent damage?""
Marcus paused.
"Just do what you're paid to do.""
The recording ended.
My hands were trembling.
Daniel looked furious.
Detective Harris collected the documents.
"We're going to seek additional warrants. Marcus will remain in custody while we complete the interviews.""
I leaned back.
Eight years.
Eight years of birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and ordinary mornings.
I'd spent those years believing I was building a marriage.
Marcus had been building a financial scheme around my inheritance.
Then the detective's phone rang.
He listened.
His expression tightened.
"What do you mean he's requested a meeting?""
He ended the call.
I looked at him.
"Who?""
"Marcus.""
"What does he want?""
The detective studied me.
"He says he has information about your mother's death that he will only disclose directly to you.""
I shook my head.
"I'm not meeting him.""
"That's your decision.""
He paused.
"But there's one reason you may want to hear what he has to say.""
"What reason?""
Detective Harris placed a photograph on the table.
It showed my mother standing outside her house on the afternoon she died.
Beside her was a little girl.
Not Emily.
Not me.
A child I'd never seen before.
The detective spoke quietly.
"Marcus claims your mother was hiding another child.""
I stared at the photograph.
"Who is she?""
"We don't know yet.""
I looked closer.
The little girl was wearing a silver necklace.
A small heart-shaped pendant.
My mother had owned an identical one.
Then I noticed something written on the back of the photograph.
In my mother's handwriting:
*For my three daughters. Someday, you'll understand.*
I looked at Daniel.
Three daughters?
Emily.
May you like
Me.
Who was the third?
