Chapter 4: The Night My Mother Died
For several seconds, nobody moved.
My father stared at Rebecca as though she had just accused him of something impossible.
“Vanessa was never at the hospital that night,” he said.
Rebecca lowered the medical document.
“That's what you were told.””
Dad turned toward his wife.
“Vanessa?””
She stood in the doorway, gripping the wooden frame so tightly her knuckles had turned white.
“She's lying, Michael. She's always hated me.””
Rebecca let out a bitter laugh.
“Eleven years, Vanessa. Eleven years of watching you raise Claire's daughter while keeping her family away from her. And you still think I'm the problem?””
Vanessa stepped onto the patio.
“You abandoned Claire long before she died.””
“That's not true.””
“You disappeared when she needed you!””
Rebecca's eyes flashed.
“I was in another state because you threatened to have me arrested if I came near her.””
Dad looked between them.
“Enough. I want the truth.””
Rebecca placed the hospital letter on the patio table.
“Claire was scheduled for a routine procedure. Her condition was serious, but her doctors believed she could recover. Then someone changed her treatment orders.””
I stared at the paper.
“What procedure?””
Rebecca looked at me.
“An operation to remove a complication caused by an infection. It wasn't supposed to be dangerous enough to kill her.””
Dad rubbed his forehead.
“Her surgeon told me there were unexpected complications.””
“Because the medication administered before surgery was different from what Claire's doctor prescribed.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“This is disgusting.””
Rebecca ignored her.
“I have the original prescription, the amended order, and a copy of the hospital's internal report.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Where did you obtain these documents?””
“From Claire's personal attorney. She gave him copies before the surgery.””
Dad looked stunned.
“Claire had an attorney?””
“Yes. She knew something was wrong.””
I felt my knees weaken.
“Why didn't anyone tell me?””
Rebecca's expression softened.
“Because you were seven. Your mother wanted you protected.””
“Protected from what?””
Rebecca looked toward Vanessa.
“From the woman who had been trying to get control of her life insurance, her property, and eventually her daughter.””
Vanessa slapped her hand against the table.
“That's enough!””
Dad turned sharply.
“Sit down.””
“Michael, you cannot seriously believe this woman.””
“Then explain the hospital photograph.””
Vanessa's mouth opened.
Dad continued.
“Explain the letters. Explain the trust. Explain why your signature is on a document I never signed.””
She looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“I loved you. I loved this family.””
“You loved the money?””
Her expression hardened.
“You think everything is about money because you have always had enough of it.””
Dad stared at her.
“You had everything, Vanessa. I trusted you with my daughter.””
Rebecca took another document from her handbag.
“This is the part you need to see.””
It was a photocopy of a hospital visitor log.
Two names appeared on the page.
Vanessa Carter.
Dr. Alan Whitmore.
The time was 9:42 p.m.
The date was the night my mother died.
Dad read the names twice.
“Who is Dr. Whitmore?””
Rebecca answered quietly.
“Claire's surgeon.””
I looked at Vanessa.
“Why were you there?””
She shook her head.
“I was visiting Claire. That's all.””
“Why did you tell Dad you'd never met her?”” I asked.
Vanessa didn't answer.
Rebecca pointed to another entry.
“Look at the signature beside the amended medication order.””
Dad leaned closer.
His face changed.
The signature was not Vanessa's.
It was his.
Or something that looked remarkably like it.
“I didn't sign this,” he whispered.
Rebecca nodded.
“I know.””
Daniel carefully photographed the document.
“We'll need the original records and an independent forensic examination. Nobody should make further accusations until we establish exactly what happened.””
Vanessa seized on his words.
“Exactly! This is speculation. You cannot destroy my marriage over a photocopy.””
Dad looked at her.
“You already destroyed it.””
He turned toward Daniel.
“Get me everything. Every hospital record, every financial statement, every document involving Claire's estate.””
Daniel nodded.
“I'll begin immediately.””
Vanessa suddenly started crying.
Not the quiet tears of someone ashamed.
She was sobbing loudly, pressing a hand against her chest.
“Michael, please. Think about Madison. You can't tear this family apart.””
Madison appeared behind her.
“Mom, stop.””
Vanessa spun around.
“You stay out of this!””
Madison flinched but continued.
“Dad deserves to know.””
Vanessa stared at her daughter.
“You have no idea what you're doing.””
Madison's eyes filled.
“I found something else in your dressing room.””
Vanessa went silent.
Madison reached into her pocket and pulled out a small brass key.
“It opens the bottom drawer of your desk.””
Vanessa rushed toward her.
Dad caught her arm.
“Don't.””
Madison handed the key to Daniel.
“There are envelopes in there. And a little black notebook.””
Rebecca's face went pale.
“What notebook?””
Madison looked at her.
“The one with Mom's handwriting copied inside it.””
Rebecca closed her eyes.
“Oh, Claire.””
Dad stared at her.
“What?””
Rebecca looked toward the house.
“Your wife kept a record of every conversation she had with Vanessa during the final months of her life.””
Then she turned to me.
“And if that notebook is still there, Emily, it may explain why your mother was so afraid.””
Daniel took the key.
As he walked toward Vanessa's dressing room, my stepmother suddenly stopped crying.
She looked directly at Madison.
Then she whispered something I will never forget.
“You have no idea what your sister will do when she learns what happened to her baby brother.””
My blood turned cold.
“My what?””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Madison began sobbing.
May you like
And my father slowly turned toward me.
“Emily,” he whispered, “we need to find out what she's talking about.””
