Chapter 6: The Doctor Who Remembered Everything
Ethan replayed the sentence.
"His name is Dr. Samuel Reed.""
He looked at me.
"Who is that?""
I shook my head.
"I don't know.""
Daniel suddenly spoke from the hallway.
"He's retired.""
I turned toward him.
"You know him?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Everyone involved in Danielle's treatment knew him.""
"Then why did you look frightened when she mentioned his name?""
Daniel picked up his briefcase.
"Because you're turning an old medical situation into some ridiculous conspiracy.""
I stepped toward him.
"Then help me understand.""
He shook his head.
"Danielle had cancer. She underwent surgery. She developed complications. Sometimes people die, Mike.""
Ethan lowered the recorder.
"Uncle Daniel, why are you talking like you want us to stop asking?""
Daniel looked at him.
"Because your mother wouldn't want you dragged into this.""
Ethan's expression hardened.
"My mother left me this house. You took my money. And now you're telling me what she would want?""
Daniel had no answer.
I looked at my brother.
"You're leaving. Robert will contact you.""
He gave me a cold stare.
"You'll regret choosing a dead woman's recording over your own family.""
I opened the front door.
"Get out.""
Daniel walked outside.
Before getting into his car, he turned around.
"One more thing, Mike.""
I waited.
"You should ask Robert what happened to Danielle's original will.""
Then he drove away.
I closed the door.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Vanessa was still upstairs.
Madison sat on the staircase, her face buried in her hands.
Ethan stood beside me.
"Dad?""
"Yes, son?""
"Did Mom know Uncle Daniel was doing all this?""
I put my arm around his shoulders.
"I think she suspected something.""
"Then why didn't she tell us?""
I looked at the recorder.
"Maybe she tried.""
That night, I didn't sleep.
I sat at the kitchen table with the documents spread in front of me.
At 2:17 a.m., Robert sent an email containing the hospital's archived contact information for Dr. Samuel Reed.
The next morning, I called the number.
A woman answered.
"Dr. Reed's office.""
"My name is Michael Williams. My wife, Danielle Williams, was treated at your hospital seven years ago. She left a recording mentioning Dr. Reed.""
There was a pause.
"Dr. Reed is retired.""
"I understand. I just need to ask him a few questions.""
Another pause.
Then the woman said, "Please hold.""
I waited.
After nearly a minute, a man's voice came through.
"This is Samuel Reed.""
I introduced myself.
The moment I mentioned Danielle's name, his voice changed.
"Mr. Williams?""
"Yes.""
"Is Ethan with you?""
I looked toward the living room.
My son was sitting on the sofa, staring at his mother's photograph.
"Yes. Why?""
Dr. Reed exhaled.
"Then I think it's time we spoke.""
My hands tightened around the phone.
"What happened to my wife?""
There was a long silence.
Finally, he said, "Your wife was not expected to recover from the complications she experienced. But there was something unusual about the medication administered during her final hospital stay.""
I closed my eyes.
"What kind of unusual?""
"The dosage recorded in her chart did not match the dosage ordered by the attending physician.""
My heart began pounding.
"Are you saying someone gave her the wrong medication?""
"I'm saying the discrepancy was serious enough that I requested an internal review.""
"What did the review find?""
"Nothing.""
"Nothing?""
"The records were altered before the review was completed.""
I felt sick.
"Who altered them?""
Dr. Reed lowered his voice.
"That's why I contacted your attorney seven years ago.""
I froze.
"You contacted Robert?""
"Yes. I gave him a sealed statement.""
"Why didn't he tell me?""
"Because I was instructed to wait until Ethan became legally eligible to receive the trust.""
I glanced toward my son.
"He turned eighteen months ago.""
"I know. That's why I've been waiting for your call.""
I swallowed.
"Doctor, do you believe someone deliberately harmed my wife?""
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "Mr. Williams, I believe someone wanted Danielle's final medical records to disappear.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from Robert.
Michael, come to my office immediately. I located Danielle's original will. There is a sealed amendment attached.
I read the message twice.
"Doctor, I need to go.""
"One more thing," he said.
"What?""
"Danielle left a second recording with me. She asked me to give it to Ethan personally when he turned eighteen.""
I looked at my son.
"What does it contain?""
"I haven't listened to it. She sealed it herself.""
"Where is it?""
"In my possession.""
I ended the call and walked into the living room.
"Ethan, we need to go somewhere.""
He stood immediately.
"Where?""
"To Robert's office. There's something your mother left for you.""
He looked confused.
"Something else?""
I nodded.
On the way out, I noticed Vanessa standing at the top of the stairs.
Her face was swollen from crying.
"Michael, please don't take Ethan there.""
I stopped.
"Why?""
She descended one step.
"Because Daniel will destroy everything if you open that amendment.""
I stared at her.
"Why would he care about a document that belongs to my son?""
Vanessa looked toward Ethan.
Then she whispered:
"Because the amendment doesn't just name Ethan as the owner of the house.""
I waited.
Her voice cracked.
"It names the person Danielle believed was responsible for what happened to her.""
Ethan gripped my arm.
"Who?""
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Then she answered.
"Your uncle Daniel.""
But before I could respond, my phone rang again.
It was Robert.
"Michael, don't come alone," he said urgently.
"Why?""
"Daniel is already here. And he's brought someone with him.""
"Who?""
Robert's voice dropped.
"Someone claiming to be Danielle's legal representative.""
I looked at Ethan.
Then Robert added one final sentence.
"Michael, there's a problem. According to the original will, Danielle was never supposed to leave the house entirely to Ethan.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Then who was supposed to inherit it?""
May you like
Robert paused.
"That's exactly what the sealed amendment explains. And once you read it, you'll understand why Daniel has spent seven years trying to keep it hidden.""
