Chapter 8: The Last Appointment Before My Husband Died
James called the hospital immediately.
By noon, we were sitting in a small consultation room with the hospital's medical records director, a woman named Linda Matthews.
She placed a thick folder on the table.
"Mr. Bennett's records are protected," she explained.
"We haven't released anything to Ms. Collins.""
"Why did she request them?"" I asked.
Linda checked the application.
"She claims she is investigating the validity of a property-related estate agreement signed shortly before his death.""
James leaned forward.
"Did she identify a particular medical concern?""
Linda nodded.
"She suggested that Mr. Bennett may have been experiencing cognitive impairment.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Robert was dying of cancer. He was weak, but he was perfectly capable of making decisions.""
Linda looked sympathetic.
"That's why we reviewed the request carefully. His attending physician documented that he was mentally alert during his final hospitalization.""
James asked for the exact medical notes.
Linda turned several pages.
"Here. On his final admission, the physician recorded that Mr. Bennett was oriented to person, place, and time. He was also able to discuss his financial and legal arrangements.""
James read the entry twice.
"Was he evaluated by a neurologist?""
"Yes. Two days before his death.""
I felt tears gather.
"Can I see what the doctor wrote?""
Linda nodded.
She slid the document across the table.
The physician's note was brief but clear.
Patient demonstrates full decision-making capacity. Understands the nature and consequences of legal and financial decisions. No evidence of confusion or cognitive impairment.
I pressed the paper against my chest.
"Robert knew what he was doing.""
James nodded.
"This will be important evidence if anyone challenges the trust.""
Then Linda turned another page.
"There's something else.""
She pointed to an appointment dated two days before Robert died.
"Mr. Bennett requested a private consultation with the attending physician. According to the note, he wanted to discuss a concern involving a family member.""
"What family member?""
Linda read the entry.
"His daughter-in-law.""
My heart began pounding.
"Vanessa?""
"Yes.""
The note continued.
Patient reports concern regarding unauthorized access to financial accounts and possible manipulation of estate documents. Requests that physician document concerns in case of future legal proceedings.
James looked at me.
"Your husband was building a record.""
I nodded slowly.
"Why didn't he tell me?""
Linda turned another page.
"There's a notation that he requested a private telephone call with his wife, but the call was not completed.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
She checked the record.
"Apparently, the patient requested the hospital to call your home. The number was recorded as unavailable.""
I stared at the paper.
That couldn't be right.
Robert had called me every day during his hospitalization.
Except for the final two days.
I'd been told he was too tired to speak.
"Who gave the hospital that information?"" James asked.
Linda examined the entry.
"There's a note stating that the patient requested his family contact information be updated by an authorized visitor.""
"Who was the visitor?""
She looked at the screen.
"Daniel Bennett.""
My son.
I slowly leaned back.
"Daniel changed my telephone number?""
Linda nodded.
"It appears he requested that the number be replaced with another contact number.""
"Whose?""
She checked.
"Vanessa Collins.""
I felt something cold move through my chest.
Robert had tried to reach me.
My own son had made sure I never received the call.
James stood.
"We need a copy of this record.""
Linda agreed to preserve the documentation and arrange its release through the appropriate legal process.
When we left the hospital, I couldn't stop thinking about those final two days.
Robert had been trying to tell me something.
I had spent the last week of his life believing he was resting peacefully.
I hadn't known someone had been standing between us.
In the parking lot, James stopped beside his car.
"Margaret, I need to ask you something.""
"What?""
"Did Daniel ever tell you why he was so involved in your husband's hospital arrangements?""
I shook my head.
"He said he was helping.""
"Did he have access to Robert's belongings?""
"Yes. He brought home Robert's briefcase after he died.""
James looked at me.
"Do you still have it?""
I nodded.
"It's in the attic.""
"Has anyone opened it?""
"Not that I know of.""
James considered this.
"Then we should inspect it.""
We returned home and climbed the narrow attic stairs.
The air smelled of cardboard, dust, and old photographs.
I moved several boxes until I found Robert's black leather briefcase.
It was heavier than I remembered.
James placed it on an old table and examined the lock.
It was already open.
Inside were bank statements, an old diary, and a sealed envelope.
My name was written across the front.
I opened it carefully.
Margaret, if Daniel has given Vanessa access to my personal files, then the situation is worse than I feared.
I stopped breathing.
James leaned closer.
The letter continued.
There is a reason Vanessa has been so interested in our family's financial affairs. She knows something about Daniel's birth. But the truth is not what she believes.
My hands shook.
I have arranged for a second DNA test through a different laboratory. The first result was never reliable. Someone tampered with the samples.
I looked at James.
"Another test?""
He nodded.
I continued reading.
If I am gone before the second report arrives, speak to Dr. Samuel Carter. He knows what happened the night Daniel was born.
I lowered the letter.
"Dr. Carter delivered Daniel.""
James frowned.
"Is he still practicing?""
"I don't know. He retired years ago.""
Then I noticed a telephone number written at the bottom.
And beside it, Robert had written one sentence.
Ask him why the hospital birth record was changed.
My fingers went numb.
"The birth record?""
James took the letter.
"Margaret, we need to find this doctor.""
I looked toward the staircase.
At that moment, my phone rang.
It was a number I recognized.
The hospital.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice spoke urgently.
"Mrs. Bennett, this is Linda Matthews. I found something else in your husband's archived records.""
"What?""
She lowered her voice.
"There's a second person listed as having accessed his medical file after his death.""
"Who?""
"Your daughter, Emily.""
I closed my eyes.
Emily had told us she discovered the DNA report herself.
But now the hospital records suggested she'd been involved much earlier than she'd admitted.
And there was something else.
May you like
Linda continued.
"Mrs. Bennett, the access occurred just three days after your husband's funeral.""
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