Chapter 6: The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
Marcus stood frozen on## Chapter 6: The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
Marcus stood frozen on the staircase, the phone pressed against his ear long after the call had ended.
Your mother.
The two words seemed to echo through the house.
His mother, Margaret Reed, had been the one person he had the staircase, the phone pressed against his ear long after the call had ended.
Your mother.
The two words seemed to echo through the house.
His mother, Margaret Reed, had been the one person he had never questioned. She had raised him alone after his father died, worked two jobs to pay for his education, and spent never questioned. She had raised him alone after his father died, worked two jobs to pay for his education, and spent her retirement helping him build a life for Michael. She had held Eleanor's hand during chemotherapy.
She her retirement helping him build a life for Michael. She had held Eleanor's hand during chemotherapy. She had sat beside Marcus at the funeral and whispered that they would get through it together.
Now a doctor was claiming she had authorized the medication that killed Eleanor.
Behind him, Sarah appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Marcus, give me your phone had sat beside Marcus at the funeral and whispered that they would get through it together.
Now a doctor was claiming she had authorized the medication that killed Eleanor.
Behind him, Sarah appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Marcus, give me your phone.""
He slowly turned.
"Why?""
"Because I know who called you.""
"Then tell me who he is.""
Sarah descended two steps, gripping the railing.
"Dr. Whitmore has been unstable for years. He lost his license, his reputation, everything. He blames other people for his mistakes.""
He slowly turned.
"Why?""
"Because I know who called you.""
"Then tell me who he is.""
Sarah descended two steps, gripping the railing.
"Dr. Whitmore has been unstable for years. He lost his license, his reputation, everything. He blames other people for his mistakes.""
"Did my mother authorize Eleanor's medication?""
Sarah's lips parted.
For one terrible second, Marcus thought she might tell him the truth.
Instead, she said, "You cannot believe everything a desperate man says.""
"That's not an answer.""
"It's the.""
"Did my mother authorize Eleanor's medication?""
Sarah's lips parted.
For one terrible second, Marcus thought she might tell him the truth.
Instead, she said, "You cannot believe everything a desperate man says.""
"That's not an answer.""
"It's the only one you're getting while you're standing there looking at me like I'm a stranger.""
Marcus put his phone in his pocket.
"Maybe I should have started looking at you that way a long time ago.""
Sarah recoiled.
He turned and walked into the study, where Michael and Jordan were waiting.
Michael rose only one you're getting while you're standing there looking at me like I'm a stranger.""
Marcus put his phone in his pocket.
"Maybe I should have started looking at you that way a long time ago.""
Sarah recoiled.
He turned and walked into the study, where Michael and Jordan were waiting.
Michael rose immediately.
"Dad? What happened?""
Marcus shut the door.
"Dr. Whitmore called. He says your grandmother authorized the medication that killed your mother.""
Michael stared at him.
"No.""
The word was barely audible.
"No, Grandma wouldn't do that.""
"I don't know what to believe immediately.
"Dad? What happened?""
Marcus shut the door.
"Dr. Whitmore called. He says your grandmother authorized the medication that killed your mother.""
Michael stared at him.
"No.""
The word was barely audible.
"No, Grandma wouldn't do that.""
"I don't know what to believe yet.""
"She loved Mom.""
"I know.""
"She loved her!""
Michael's voice cracked. He shoved his hands into his pockets and turned toward the window.
Marcus yet.""
"She loved Mom.""
"I know.""
"She loved her!""
Michael's voice cracked. He shoved his hands into his pockets and turned toward the window.
Marcus wanted to take back the words, but he couldn't. Not now. Not when the truth had become a maze of forged documents, missing money, and people who had once been trusted.
Jordan remained beside the desk, pale and silent.
"Did you hear what the doctor said?"" Marcus asked him.
Jordan nodded.
"Mom told me once that Grandma Margaret had wanted to take back the words, but he couldn't. Not now. Not when the truth had become a maze of forged documents, missing money, and people who had once been trusted.
Jordan remained beside the desk, pale and silent.
"Did you hear what the doctor said?"" Marcus asked him.
Jordan nodded.
"Mom told me once that Grandma Margaret had been involved in something at the hospital. I thought she meant a charity donation.""
Marcus looked up sharply.
"When did she tell you that?""
"About a year ago. We were driving home from the mall. Mom got a call, and been involved in something at the hospital. I thought she meant a charity donation.""
Marcus looked up sharply.
"When did she tell you that?""
"About a year ago. We were driving home from the mall. Mom got a call, and she started yelling at someone. When she hung up, she said Margaret Reed had made a terrible mistake and everyone was going to pay for it.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Jordan looked ashamed.
"Because I didn't think it had anything to do with me. And because Mom said if I repeated it, you'd blame she started yelling at someone. When she hung up, she said Margaret Reed had made a terrible mistake and everyone was going to pay for it.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Jordan looked ashamed.
"Because I didn't think it had anything to do with me. And because Mom said if I repeated it, you'd blame me for everything.""
Michael turned around.
"You knew she was hiding something, and you never said anything?""
Jordan lowered his head.
"I know. I'm sorry.""
Marcus held up a hand.
"Both of you, listen to me. We're not going to accuse anyone based on rumors. We need evidence.
Michael, stay here with Jordan. Don't let anyone remove anything from the study me for everything.""
Michael turned around.
"You knew she was hiding something, and you never said anything?""
Jordan lowered his head.
"I know. I'm sorry.""
Marcus held up a hand.
"Both of you, listen to me. We're not going to accuse anyone based on rumors. We need evidence.
Michael, stay here with Jordan. Don't let anyone remove anything from the study.""
Michael frowned.
"Where are you going?""
"To speak to Dr. Whitmore.""
"I'm coming with you.""
"No.""
"Dad—"
"Michael, I need you safe. If the doctor has evidence, I'll bring it back. If someone has been lying to us, I'm going to find out why.""
Michael looked as though he wanted to argue. Instead, he nodded reluctantly.""
Michael frowned.
"Where are you going?""
"To speak to Dr. Whitmore.""
"I'm coming with you.""
"No.""
"Dad—"
"Michael, I need you safe. If the doctor has evidence, I'll bring it back. If someone has been lying to us, I'm going to find out why.""
Michael looked as though he wanted to argue. Instead, he nodded reluctantly.
Marcus took his coat and left.
The hospital where Eleanor had been treated had changed its name, expanded its emergency department, and built a glass entrance that reflected the gray afternoon sky. Marcus parked near.
Marcus took his coat and left.
The hospital where Eleanor had been treated had changed its name, expanded its emergency department, and built a glass entrance that reflected the gray afternoon sky. Marcus parked near the visitor entrance and called Dr. Whitmore.
The doctor answered immediately.
"You're here?""
"Yes. Where are you?""
"Not at the hospital. Meet me at the chapel across the street. Come alone the visitor entrance and called Dr. Whitmore.
The doctor answered immediately.
"You're here?""
"Yes. Where are you?""
"Not at the hospital. Meet me at the chapel across the street. Come alone.""
Marcus glanced at the hospital doors.
"Why the chapel?""
"Because nobody ever looks for a confession there.""
The call ended.
The chapel smelled of old wood and candle wax. A few people sat scattered across the pews, their heads bowed. Near the back, a thin man in a dark coat stood beside a stained-glass window.
He looked older than Marcus remembered. His hair had turned almost entirely.""
Marcus glanced at the hospital doors.
"Why the chapel?""
"Because nobody ever looks for a confession there.""
The call ended.
The chapel smelled of old wood and candle wax. A few people sat scattered across the pews, their heads bowed. Near the back, a thin man in a dark coat stood beside a stained-glass window.
He looked older than Marcus remembered. His hair had turned almost entirely white, and his fingers trembled as he removed his glasses.
"Mr. Reed.""
"Dr. Whitmore.""
They shook hands.
Marcus did not sit.
"You said my mother authorized the medication that killed my wife. Explain white, and his fingers trembled as he removed his glasses.
"Mr. Reed.""
"Dr. Whitmore.""
They shook hands.
Marcus did not sit.
"You said my mother authorized the medication that killed my wife. Explain.""
The doctor looked toward the altar.
"Six years ago, Eleanor was receiving a medication that required a second physician's approval before any dosage change. The prescription was altered after the original order had been signed.""
"By whom?""
"Someone with access to the medication system and the authority to override a pharmacist's warning.""
"Who.""
The doctor looked toward the altar.
"Six years ago, Eleanor was receiving a medication that required a second physician's approval before any dosage change. The prescription was altered after the original order had been signed.""
"By whom?""
"Someone with access to the medication system and the authority to override a pharmacist's warning.""
"Who?""
Dr. Whitmore swallowed.
"Margaret Reed.""
Marcus stepped backward.
"No.""
"I wish I could tell you otherwise.""
"My mother wasn't a doctor.""
"She was a major donor to the hospital. She funded?""
Dr. Whitmore swallowed.
"Margaret Reed.""
Marcus stepped backward.
"No.""
"I wish I could tell you otherwise.""
"My mother wasn't a doctor.""
"She was a major donor to the hospital. She funded the research wing and sat on the foundation's medical oversight committee. She had access to senior administrators, and she was permitted to review confidential treatment updates with the family's consent.""
"That the research wing and sat on the foundation's medical oversight committee. She had access to senior administrators, and she was permitted to review confidential treatment updates with the family's consent.""
"That doesn't mean she could change a prescription.""
"It shouldn't have meant that. But someone used her authorization credentials.""
Marcus stared at him.
"You're saying someone impersonated her?""
"I'm saying the digital record shows her credentials. The audit doesn't mean she could change a prescription.""
"It shouldn't have meant that. But someone used her authorization credentials.""
Marcus stared at him.
"You're saying someone impersonated her?""
"I'm saying the digital record shows her credentials. The audit log, however, contains discrepancies. The order was entered from a terminal that should have been locked, and the verification signature was added several minutes after the medication had already been administered.""
log, however, contains discrepancies. The order was entered from a terminal that should have been locked, and the verification signature was added several minutes after the medication had already been administered.""
"Why didn't you report it?""
"I did.""
"And?""
Dr. Whitmore took a folded document from his coat.
"My report disappeared. The hospital claimed the system had experienced a technical fault. When I insisted on an independent review, I"Why didn't you report it?""
"I did.""
"And?""
Dr. Whitmore took a folded document from his coat.
"My report disappeared. The hospital claimed the system had experienced a technical fault. When I insisted on an independent review, I was accused of violating patient confidentiality.""
He handed Marcus the document.
It was a photocopy of an incident report, dated the day after Eleanor's death. Several paragraphs had been blacked out, but the last line was clear.
Recommend immediate preservation of access logs and interviews with all personnel who handled the medication order.
Marcus read it twice.
"Who removed the report?""
"I don't know. But I know someone contacted was accused of violating patient confidentiality.""
He handed Marcus the document.
It was a photocopy of an incident report, dated the day after Eleanor's death. Several paragraphs had been blacked out, but the last line was clear.
Recommend immediate preservation of access logs and interviews with all personnel who handled the medication order.
Marcus read it twice.
"Who removed the report?""
"I don't know. But I know someone contacted me three months ago and offered to pay me to keep quiet.""
"Who?""
Dr. Whitmore looked directly at him.
"Sarah Reed.""
Marcus felt his stomach turn.
"What did she want?""
"She wanted the original report. She said she was acting me three months ago and offered to pay me to keep quiet.""
"Who?""
Dr. Whitmore looked directly at him.
"Sarah Reed.""
Marcus felt his stomach turn.
"What did she want?""
"She wanted the original report. She said she was acting on behalf of your mother, who had been terrified that the investigation would ruin the family.""
"Margaret had been dead for months by then.""
"I know.""
"Did you give Sarah the report?""
"No. I told her I would only release it to the police or an authorized investigator. Two days later, someone broke into my office.""
The doctor opened his on behalf of your mother, who had been terrified that the investigation would ruin the family.""
"Margaret had been dead for months by then.""
"I know.""
"Did you give Sarah the report?""
"No. I told her I would only release it to the police or an authorized investigator. Two days later, someone broke into my office.""
The doctor opened his coat and revealed a small, sealed envelope.
"I kept a copy somewhere else. I've been waiting for someone who could reopen the investigation without being controlled by the hospital.""
Marcus took it.
"Why coat and revealed a small, sealed envelope.
"I kept a copy somewhere else. I've been waiting for someone who could reopen the investigation without being controlled by the hospital.""
Marcus took it.
"Why contact me now?""
"Because I received a message yesterday. Someone told me your son had found Eleanor's letter.""
Marcus's grip tightened around the envelope.
"Who sent the message?""
"A woman who said she had worked with Eleanor at the medical foundation. She told me the letter contained the name of the person who altered the prescription.""
"Do you know who that person is?""
Dr. contact me now?""
"Because I received a message yesterday. Someone told me your son had found Eleanor's letter.""
Marcus's grip tightened around the envelope.
"Who sent the message?""
"A woman who said she had worked with Eleanor at the medical foundation. She told me the letter contained the name of the person who altered the prescription.""
"Do you know who that person is?""
Dr. Whitmore hesitated.
"I have a strong suspicion. But the evidence was incomplete until last week, when an old pharmacy technician agreed to speak to me.""
"Who?""
"Her name is Linda Foster. She kept a handwritten Whitmore hesitated.
"I have a strong suspicion. But the evidence was incomplete until last week, when an old pharmacy technician agreed to speak to me.""
"Who?""
"Her name is Linda Foster. She kept a handwritten log because she didn't trust the electronic system.""
"Where is she?""
The doctor looked away.
"She died last Friday.""
Marcus stared at him.
"How?""
"An apparent fall down her basement stairs. Her family believes it was an log because she didn't trust the electronic system.""
"Where is she?""
The doctor looked away.
"She died last Friday.""
Marcus stared at him.
"How?""
"An apparent fall down her basement stairs. Her family believes it was an accident.""
"Do you?""
Dr. Whitmore's silence answered him.
Marcus took out his phone.
"I'm calling the police.""
"Not yet.""
The doctor caught his wrist.
"Listen to accident.""
"Do you?""
Dr. Whitmore's silence answered him.
Marcus took out his phone.
"I'm calling the police.""
"Not yet.""
The doctor caught his wrist.
"Listen to me. The technician left something with a lawyer. If you go to the police before we secure it, whoever is responsible may realize the evidence still exists.""
Marcus pulled his hand free.
"You're asking me to trust you while telling me that someone murdered my wife and me. The technician left something with a lawyer. If you go to the police before we secure it, whoever is responsible may realize the evidence still exists.""
Marcus pulled his hand free.
"You're asking me to trust you while telling me that someone murdered my wife and possibly silenced a witness.""
"I'm asking you to give me one day.""
Marcus studied his face.
"One day. Then I make my own decisions.""
Dr. Whitmore nodded.
He gave Marcus an address and the name of a law firm.
As possibly silenced a witness.""
"I'm asking you to give me one day.""
Marcus studied his face.
"One day. Then I make my own decisions.""
Dr. Whitmore nodded.
He gave Marcus an address and the name of a law firm.
As Marcus turned to leave, the doctor spoke again.
"There's one more thing you need to know.""
Marcus stopped.
"Your mother wasn't the only person whose credentials were used that night.""
"Whose else?""
"Yours.""
Marcus felt the air leave his lungs.
"I wasn't at the hospital.""
"I know. You were attending Marcus turned to leave, the doctor spoke again.
"There's one more thing you need to know.""
Marcus stopped.
"Your mother wasn't the only person whose credentials were used that night.""
"Whose else?""
"Yours.""
Marcus felt the air leave his lungs.
"I wasn't at the hospital.""
"I know. You were attending a business conference in Boston. But the medication system records a second authorization under your name.""
"That's impossible.""
"Someone had access to your digital signature.""
Marcus remembered the old family laptop, the one he'd left at home while Eleanor was ill. Margaret had used it to manage household accounts when he traveled.
Sarah had helped organize their paperwork a business conference in Boston. But the medication system records a second authorization under your name.""
"That's impossible.""
"Someone had access to your digital signature.""
Marcus remembered the old family laptop, the one he'd left at home while Eleanor was ill. Margaret had used it to manage household accounts when he traveled.
Sarah had helped organize their paperwork after the funeral.
The pieces were beginning to fit, but the picture was horrifying.
"Why would someone use both our signatures?"" Marcus asked.
"To make the order look after the funeral.
The pieces were beginning to fit, but the picture was horrifying.
"Why would someone use both our signatures?"" Marcus asked.
"To make the order look legitimate. If the investigation ever reached the family, suspicion would fall on both you and your mother.""
Marcus left the chapel with the envelope hidden inside his coat.
He was halfway to his car when his phone rang.
Michael.
"Dad, you need to come home now.""
"What's happened?""
"Mom is in the study. She found the documents.""
Marcus began running.
"What documents?""
"The legitimate. If the investigation ever reached the family, suspicion would fall on both you and your mother.""
Marcus left the chapel with the envelope hidden inside his coat.
He was halfway to his car when his phone rang.
Michael.
"Dad, you need to come home now.""
"What's happened?""
"Mom is in the study. She found the documents.""
Marcus began running.
"What documents?""
"The copies from the safe. She says she's going to burn everything unless you come back and sign something.""
"What does she want you to sign?""
Michael's voice dropped to a whisper.
"She says if you don't sign, she'll tell the police that you killed Mom.""
The line went dead.
And as Marcus raced toward the highway, he realized Sarah was no copies from the safe. She says she's going to burn everything unless you come back and sign something.""
"What does she want you to sign?""
Michael's voice dropped to a whisper.
"She says if you don't sign, she'll tell the police that you killed Mom.""
The line went dead.
And as Marcus raced toward the highway, he realized Sarah was no longer trying to protect a secret.
She was preparing to make him pay for it.
May you like
longer trying to protect a secret.
She was preparing to make him pay for it.
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