Chapter 11: The Man Who Held Sarah's Medical Records
Peter Lawson's office occupied the top floor of a glass building in downtown Atlanta.
Daniel and I arrived at 9:30 the following morning.
He had already arranged for a private meeting, and Dr. Reed had agreed to provide his preserved medical documents to the appropriate investigators.
Peter's receptionist greeted us with a professional smile.
"Mr. Lawson is expecting you.""
We entered his office.
Peter stood behind a large wooden desk, wearing a charcoal suit and an expensive watch.
He was older than I remembered, but his smile was exactly the same.
"Marcus. It's been a long time.""
I didn't shake his hand.
"Four years.""
He nodded.
"Sarah was a remarkable woman.""
"Then why were you standing beside her hospital bed holding medication that wasn't prescribed to her?""
His smile disappeared.
Daniel placed the photograph on the desk.
Peter looked at it.
Then he slowly sat down.
"Where did you get this?""
"Does it matter?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
He folded his hands.
"Because whoever gave you that photograph has violated several privacy protections.""
Daniel interrupted.
"We're not here to discuss the photograph's source. We're here to ask about your involvement in Sarah's financial and medical affairs.""
Peter looked irritated.
"I was her business adviser. Nothing more.""
I leaned forward.
"Then explain the second account.""
He glanced at Daniel.
"What account?""
"The account connected to Richard Coleman and Vanessa's maiden name.""
Peter's fingers tightened.
"I have no idea what you're talking about.""
Daniel opened his folder.
"We have records showing transfers from an account associated with Sarah's estate. Your company received consulting payments during the same period.""
Peter stood.
"This meeting is over.""
I remained seated.
"Did you steal from Sarah?""
He pointed toward the door.
"Leave.""
Daniel calmly gathered his papers.
"Before we do, Peter, I want you to understand something. We're not relying on rumors. We have financial records, medical documents, photographs, and a recorded conversation.""
Peter froze.
"What recording?""
I looked directly at him.
"The one where you discuss another agreement with Richard.""
For the first time, he looked genuinely frightened.
Daniel placed his phone on the desk and played the audio.
Peter's own voice filled the room.
"Richard, stop. You're forgetting the other agreement.""
Peter turned pale.
He reached for the phone.
Daniel moved it away.
"Don't touch that.""
Peter sat down again.
I stared at him.
"What was the other agreement?""
He rubbed his face.
"Sarah had discovered irregularities in her investment portfolio. Richard had been moving funds through several accounts.""
"How much?""
"Initially? Around $185,000.""
"And the rest?""
Peter looked toward the window.
"More money was moved after she became ill.""
I felt sick.
"How much?""
He whispered, "Just over $600,000.""
Daniel immediately wrote down the figure.
"Who authorized the transfers?""
Peter said nothing.
I slammed my palm on the desk.
"Who?""
He looked at me.
"Richard arranged them. Vanessa provided access to certain documents. I handled the accounts.""
I stared at him.
"So all three of you were stealing from Sarah.""
Peter shook his head.
"I wasn't supposed to be involved in the medical situation.""
"What medical situation?""
He looked down.
"Vanessa contacted me about Sarah's prescriptions. She said Sarah was refusing to take some of her medication and wanted help reviewing the treatment plan.""
"Did you help her change it?""
Peter swallowed.
"I contacted someone at the hospital.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Who?""
Peter hesitated.
"An administrator named Collins.""
"Was Collins authorized to approve medication changes?""
"No.""
My blood ran cold.
"Then what happened?""
Peter stared at his hands.
"I was told the changes were temporary. Vanessa said she had discussed everything with the family.""
"She wasn't Sarah's doctor!""
"I know that now.""
I felt my voice break.
"Did you know Sarah was dying?""
Peter looked up.
"Yes.""
"And you still helped them?""
He didn't answer.
Daniel closed his folder.
"Peter, I think you should contact independent legal counsel before making any further statements. We'll be providing this information to the relevant authorities.""
Peter nodded weakly.
As we stood to leave, he suddenly spoke.
"Marcus, wait.""
I turned.
"There's something else you need to know.""
"What?""
"Vanessa wasn't the person who first approached Richard about Sarah's money.""
I stared at him.
"Who was?""
Peter swallowed.
"Patricia.""
Daniel stopped moving.
Peter continued.
"She believed Sarah had promised to leave her a portion of the estate. When she discovered Sarah had arranged everything for Lily, she became furious.""
I shook my head.
"Why would Sarah leave Patricia anything?""
"Because Patricia had helped her during the pregnancy. Sarah once considered making her a backup trustee.""
"Once?""
"Sarah changed her mind after discovering Patricia had been sharing confidential information with Richard.""
I remembered Patricia crying in my hallway.
Her claims about trying to protect the family.
Her admission that she had received $25,000.
But Peter wasn't finished.
"Patricia also knew about the medication changes. She was at the hospital when the first altered prescription arrived.""
My stomach tightened.
"Was she involved?""
Peter looked directly at me.
"She delivered the paperwork.""
I felt the room spin.
Daniel immediately asked, "Do you have evidence?""
Peter nodded.
"I kept copies of everything.""
"Where?""
"At my storage office. There's a locked cabinet containing the original transfer records and the prescription authorization.""
I looked at him.
"Why are you telling us now?""
Peter's eyes filled.
"Because Sarah asked me to protect Lily, and I failed her.""
Then he opened his desk drawer and removed a small envelope.
"She gave me this before she died. I was supposed to deliver it to you if anything happened.""
I recognized the handwriting.
Sarah's.
I opened it carefully.
There were only two sentences.
Marcus, if you've reached this point, don't let anyone convince you that my mother-in-law was simply helping.
I read the next line.
The person who arranged everything was someone I once called family.
I looked up.
"Who?""
May you like
Peter whispered:
"Patricia.""
