Chapter 13: The Secret Behind My Grandfather's Death
"You're not meeting Arthur alone.""
My father's voice was firm.
I stood beside the conference room window, holding the photograph of my grandfather's handwritten note.
If anything happens to me, ask Arthur why he changed the medication.
For twelve years, I had believed my grandfather died peacefully in his sleep after suffering a sudden medical emergency.
My father had told me the same story.
Now I was beginning to question everything.
"Dad, what medication was he talking about?""
My father looked at the photograph.
"I don't know.""
"Did Grandpa have a medical condition?""
"His heart wasn't particularly strong. He took medication prescribed by his cardiologist.""
"Then why would Arthur change it?""
My father remained silent.
James Walker entered the room carrying a laptop.
"I've spoken with a former employee at the Carter family office. He remembers Arthur requesting copies of your grandfather's medical records shortly before his death.""
My father frowned.
"Why would Arthur have access to those?""
"That's what we're trying to establish.""
I placed the photograph on the table.
"Arthur offered to show me the medical report.""
James immediately shook his head.
"We'll arrange a monitored meeting through counsel. No private confrontation.""
My father nodded.
"Agreed.""
But I couldn't stop thinking about the note.
My grandfather had known something was wrong.
And somehow, he had known that Arthur might be involved.
The following morning, Arthur agreed to meet us at a private conference room in his attorney's office.
He arrived carrying a brown leather briefcase.
He looked surprisingly relaxed.
"Richard," he greeted my father.
"Still bringing lawyers everywhere?""
My father didn't smile.
"Show us the report.""
Arthur placed a folder on the table.
"First, I want assurances that this conversation won't be used to damage my reputation.""
James opened his notebook.
"That depends entirely on what you disclose.""
Arthur gave a small laugh.
Then he looked at me.
"Olivia, your grandfather was a complicated man. He made enemies.""
"Was my grandfather murdered?""
His expression changed.
"I didn't say that.""
"Then why did you change his medication?""
Arthur slowly opened the folder.
Inside was a photocopy of a medical prescription.
The medication was used to manage a cardiac condition.
Beside it was a second prescription, dated two days before my grandfather's death.
The dosage was different.
I looked at the doctor's name.
Dr. Samuel Pierce.
"Who requested this change?""
Arthur leaned back.
"Your grandfather's physician.""
"Then why did you have the prescription?""
"Because I handled certain administrative matters for the family.""
My father reached for the document.
"This isn't an original medical record.""
Arthur shrugged.
"It's what I have.""
James examined the paper.
"Where did you obtain it?""
Arthur didn't answer.
Instead, he removed another sheet.
It was a hospital discharge summary.
I read the date.
The day before my grandfather died, he had been admitted to the hospital for observation.
My father stared at it.
"He never told me about this.""
Arthur smiled faintly.
"Perhaps he didn't want you to worry.""
I looked at him.
"Why was he discharged?""
"His condition appeared stable.""
"And the medication?""
Arthur closed the folder.
"Olivia, I didn't come here to discuss medical history. I came to offer you a way out.""
My father leaned forward.
"There's no deal.""
Arthur ignored him.
"The Hudson sale can be reversed. The remaining funds can be returned. The debt attached to your name can be settled.""
I stared at him.
"What do you want?""
"Withdraw the challenge to Martin's appointment as trustee. Accept the original divorce settlement. And stop investigating the Carter family.""
I almost laughed.
"You stole my inheritance, forged my signature, and tried to make me responsible for millions of dollars. And now you're offering to give me back some of what you took?""
Arthur's smile disappeared.
"You're young. You don't understand how expensive these battles become.""
I leaned forward.
"Then perhaps you should have thought about that before choosing me as your victim.""
He stood.
"You're making a mistake.""
James immediately intervened.
"Mr. Carter, we're finished here.""
Arthur collected his briefcase.
Before leaving, he looked at my father.
"You should tell your daughter what happened after the hospital.""
My father froze.
"What are you talking about?""
Arthur smiled.
"Ask your own brother.""
Then he walked out.
My father stared at the empty doorway.
I turned toward him.
"Uncle David?""
He nodded slowly.
My father's younger brother had died five years earlier.
He had been the person who originally told me my grandfather had passed peacefully.
"What does Uncle David have to do with this?""
My father rubbed his forehead.
"David was with your grandfather the night he was admitted to the hospital.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because he told me your grandfather had been discharged normally.""
I looked at James.
"Can we find him?""
James hesitated.
"Olivia, your uncle is deceased.""
"But he must have left records.""
My father nodded.
"He kept a private journal. After he died, his personal belongings were transferred to a storage facility.""
We contacted the executor of David's estate.
By late afternoon, we had permission to inspect the stored documents.
Among the boxes was a small leather journal.
My father's hands trembled as he opened it.
The entries were mostly ordinary.
Business appointments. Family dinners. Notes about medical visits.
Then we reached the final week of my grandfather's life.
One entry was underlined twice.
Arthur visited the hospital again. He insisted that the medication had been approved by the family. Richard must know.
My father stopped reading.
Another entry followed.
Father told me someone had changed his prescription. He said he had asked Arthur to leave the room, but Arthur refused.
I felt my chest tighten.
There was one final entry.
It was dated the morning after my grandfather died.
I don't believe this was an accident. Father told me he had left something with Margaret. If anything happens to me, she knows where to find it.
My father slowly closed the journal.
"David knew.""
I looked at him.
"Why didn't he tell you?""
"Maybe he was afraid.""
I turned another page.
A small envelope had been taped to the inside cover.
Inside was a photograph of a hospital medication chart.
The signature authorizing the change was not my grandfather's.
It belonged to Arthur Carter.
And beneath the signature was a handwritten note.
Approved on behalf of the family.
I looked at my father.
"Dad, he changed Grandpa's medication.""
My father stared at the page.
Then James's phone rang.
He answered, listened, and slowly stood.
"What happened?"" I asked.
James looked at us.
"Dr. Samuel Pierce has agreed to speak with our investigators.""
My father exhaled.
"Good.""
James paused.
"But he has one condition.""
"What?""
"He wants immunity from any civil claim before he tells us what happened that night.""
I looked at the medication chart.
Then at the journal.
"Why would a doctor need immunity?""
James answered quietly.
"Because he says he didn't make the medication change.""
He turned toward my father.
"According to Dr. Pierce, Arthur Carter brought him a signed authorization from someone inside your family.""
My father went completely still.
May you like
And then James added:
"The signature belonged to David Bennett.""
