Chapter 14: The Last Piece of the Puzzle
We reached the hospital shortly after midnight.
Detective Harris had arranged for additional officers to secure the building.
My father was taken to a private examination room.
I stayed beside him while a doctor examined his injuries.
The physician looked at his medical records and frowned.
“Mr. Parker, you've been receiving treatment for quite some time?””
My father nodded.
“Unfortunately.””
“Some of these injuries appear to have been inadequately treated.””
I looked at him.
“Can you help him?””
“We'll do everything necessary. But he needs rest.””
Dad squeezed my hand.
“Go find your brothers.””
I hesitated.
“I'm not leaving you.””
“Emily, they're waiting for you.””
He smiled weakly.
“Besides, I owe Toby a fishing trip.””
I kissed his forehead.
“I'll bring him tomorrow.””
Outside the room, Detective Harris was reviewing a floor plan.
“Where is the original medical records department?”” I asked.
“Basement level. Room B-17.””
“Let's go.””
Two officers accompanied us.
The hospital had undergone renovations since my father's accident, but the old basement corridor remained untouched.
The fluorescent lights flickered overhead.
At the end of the hallway stood a locked door.
An officer used his access credentials.
Inside were rows of filing cabinets.
Harris checked the labels.
“October records. Six months ago.””
We began searching.
Then I noticed something unusual.
One cabinet had a newer lock.
“Detective.””
He approached.
“What?””
“Why is this one different?””
He examined the lock.
“Because someone wanted it secured separately.””
An officer opened it.
Inside were several patient files.
I recognized my father's name.
Michael Parker.
But the photograph attached to the file showed David Mercer.
The identification numbers had been switched.
Harris carefully removed the documents.
Then I saw a small envelope tucked behind the folders.
It was addressed to Dr. Caldwell.
I opened it.
Inside was a handwritten note.
The original recording is stored in the old chapel. The Parker file must remain closed until the trust is transferred.
I looked at Harris.
“The old chapel?””
He checked the building plan.
“There's a chapel on the east side. It hasn't been used in years.””
We moved quickly.
The chapel was small, with dusty wooden benches and faded religious paintings.
At the front stood a wooden cabinet.
An officer opened it.
Inside was a portable recorder.
Harris examined it.
“Let's see what we have.””
He connected headphones and listened.
His expression changed.
Then he handed me one.
I heard Richard's voice first.
“Michael, you should have accepted the offer.””
My father's voice answered.
“You stole from my children.””
Richard laughed.
“They're children. They don't need millions of dollars.””
Then another voice spoke.
Dr. Caldwell.
“Richard, we need to finish this. David is still conscious.””
Richard replied coldly.
“Then make sure he isn't tomorrow.””
I felt my stomach turn.
The recording continued.
My mother spoke next.
“Richard, this wasn't what we agreed.””
He answered:
“You wanted the money. You signed the documents. Don't pretend you're innocent.””
Then came a sound.
A chair scraping.
A door opening.
And a voice I recognized immediately.
Margaret.
“You promised me the original authorization.””
Richard said, “You'll get it when the children are transferred.””
Margaret laughed.
“And what happens to them afterward?””
My blood ran cold.
Richard answered.
“That's not your concern.””
The recording ended.
I removed the headphones.
My hands were shaking.
“That's enough to arrest all of them.””
Harris nodded.
“It's powerful evidence. But we need the original file preserved and authenticated.””
An officer approached.
“Detective, we have another issue.””
“What?””
“Margaret Collins has been spotted entering the hospital through the east entrance.””
Harris grabbed his radio.
“Lock down the building.””
We rushed into the corridor.
A nurse pointed toward the elevator.
“She went downstairs.””
I looked toward the elevator display.
Basement.
“She knows we're here,” I whispered.
Harris divided the officers into two groups.
One headed toward the records department.
The other followed us toward the old chapel.
We heard footsteps.
Then a door slammed.
An officer shouted, “Police! Stop!””
A woman appeared at the end of the hallway.
Margaret.
She was carrying a small black bag.
“Margaret!”” Harris shouted.
She stopped.
Then she looked directly at me.
“Emily, please. You don't understand.””
I stepped forward.
“Did you help Richard keep my father prisoner?””
She shook her head.
“I was trying to save him.””
“Then why did you send those messages?””
“Because I needed you to find the documents.””
“Why did you access my brothers' medical records?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Because Richard wanted to know whether they were really David's children.””
I felt sick.
“You knew?””
“Yes.””
“Did you help him plan the insurance policies?””
Margaret looked down.
“I helped create the paperwork. I never wanted the babies hurt.””
“That's what everyone says.””
She began crying.
“You have to understand. Richard had something on me.””
“What?””
She looked toward Harris.
Then back at me.
“He knew I was the one who switched the identities at the hospital.””
I froze.
“You switched them?””
Margaret nodded.
“Caldwell gave me the records. I entered the false information. Richard paid me.””
“Why?””
“Because he promised me a share of the trust.””
Harris stepped forward.
“Margaret Collins, you're under arrest.””
She didn't resist.
Instead, she looked at me one last time.
“Emily, there's something I need to tell you.””
I didn't answer.
“Your mother wasn't the person who ordered the twins' insurance policies.””
I frowned.
“Then who did?””
Margaret swallowed.
“Daniel.””
“But Richard said—”
“Daniel created the policies using your mother's identity. Richard approved them.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why would Daniel want the babies dead?””
Margaret's voice dropped.
“Because he believed the inheritance should have gone to him. He wanted all four children removed from the trust so he could challenge the estate.””
I stared at her.
Then she added:
“There's one more person involved.””
“Who?””
Margaret looked toward the chapel.
“Your mother's lawyer.””
Harris immediately asked for the name.
Margaret gave it.
“Victor Lang.””
The detective's expression changed.
“Lang?””
“Yes. He's the man who prepared the guardianship documents.””
I remembered the forged signature.
The insurance papers.
The trust.
Everything.
Then my phone rang.
It was Toby.
“Sissy?””
I immediately answered.
“What's wrong, sweetheart?””
“Dad is here.””
I smiled through my tears.
“I know. Is everything okay?””
There was a pause.
Then Toby whispered:
“Sissy, Dad is talking to Mom.””
My smile disappeared.
“Where?””
“In his hospital room.””
“What are they saying?””
Toby's voice trembled.
“Mom is crying. She keeps saying she didn't know about Daniel.””
Then I heard my father's voice in the background.
“Emily, get here immediately!””
The call ended.
I turned toward Harris.
“Something's happening.””
We ran.
When we reached the hospital room, my mother was standing beside my father's bed.
Toby was pressed against the wall.
My father looked furious.
In his hand was a document.
“Emily,” he said, “your mother just admitted something.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
My mother began crying.
Then Dad held up the paper.
“She didn't just know about the accident.””
May you like
He paused.
“She signed the original agreement to have me declared legally dead.””
