Chapter 7: The Woman Beneath## Chapter 7: The Woman Beneath the Grave
At 5:40 the following morning, I stood the Grave
At 5:40 the following morning, I stood beside my wife's grave with a shovel beside my wife's grave with a shovel in my hand.
I had buried Elena six in my hand.
I had buried Elena six years earlier.
I remembered the rain. I remembered the priest's trembling voice. I remembered Sophie, years earlier.
I remembered the rain. I remembered the priest's trembling voice. I remembered Sophie, barely a year old, sleeping against my chest while Caleb wasn't even born yet.
And I remembered promising barely a year old, sleeping against my chest while Caleb wasn't even born yet.
And I remembered promising my wife that I would protect our family.
I had failed her.
Now I was standing over her grave because she had left me one my wife that I would protect our family.
I had failed her.
Now I was standing over her grave because she had left me one final instruction.
The truth is not in the grave. The truth is in the person you buried.
Miriam stood beside me, wearing a dark final instruction.
The truth is not in the grave. The truth is in the person you buried.
Miriam stood beside me, wearing a dark coat and holding a folder against her chest. Two investigators waited near the cemetery entrance. Margaret coat and holding a folder against her chest.
Two investigators waited near the cemetery entrance. Margaret Ellis sat inside a police vehicle, too frightened to come closer.
The cemetery was quiet.
Bare branches scratched Ellis sat inside a police vehicle, too frightened to come closer.
The cemetery was quiet.
Bare branches scratched against the pale November sky.
“Evan,” Miriam said, “we can still obtain an official order before disturbing anything.””
I looked at the head against the pale November sky.
“Evan,” Miriam said, “we can still obtain an official order before disturbing anything.””
I looked at the headstone.
ELENA WHITAKER.
BELOVED WIFE. DEVOTED MOTHER.
“Someone has spent six years making sure Istone.
ELENA WHITAKER.
BELOVED WIFE. DEVOTED MOTHER.
“Someone has spent six years making sure I never learned the truth. I'm finished waiting.””
Miriam nodded toward the investigators.
They approached.
One carried a sealed never learned the truth. I'm finished waiting.””
Miriam nodded toward the investigators.
They approached.
One carried a sealed evidence container.
The other held a document authorizing the examination of the grave based on newly discovered evidence container.
The other held a document authorizing the examination of the grave based on newly discovered evidence relating to possible criminal conduct.
I signed the final page.
Then I stepped back.
The work evidence relating to possible criminal conduct.
I signed the final page.
Then I stepped back.
The work began.
I watched the earth move.
Every shovel seemed to take me further away from the man I began.
I watched the earth move.
Every shovel seemed to take me further away from the man I had been when I first buried her.
Finally, the workers reached the coffin.
The lid was carefully opened had been when I first buried her.
Finally, the workers reached the coffin.
The lid was carefully opened.
Inside, Elena's remains were undisturbed.
But beneath the lining near her left hand was a small waterproof envelope.
I recognized.
Inside, Elena's remains were undisturbed.
But beneath the lining near her left hand was a small waterproof envelope.
I recognized the handwriting immediately.
My knees nearly gave way.
Miriam caught my arm.
“Evan?””
I took the handwriting immediately.
My knees nearly gave way.
Miriam caught my arm.
“Evan?””
I took the envelope.
It contained a photograph, a memory card, and a folded letter.
The photograph showed Elena sitting in a hospital room.
the envelope.
It contained a photograph, a memory card, and a folded letter.
The photograph showed Elena sitting in a hospital room.
Nathan stood beside her.
But he wasn't the only person in the picture.
Behind him stood a woman wearing a nurseNathan stood beside her.
But he wasn't the only person in the picture.
Behind him stood a woman wearing a nurse's uniform.
Margaret.
I looked toward the police vehicle.
She had told us she was there that night.
The's uniform.
Margaret.
I looked toward the police vehicle.
She had told us she was there that night.
The photograph proved it.
I opened the letter.
My darling Evan,
*If you are reading this, I photograph proved it.
I opened the letter.
My darling Evan,
If you are reading this, I am no longer there to explain what happened. I am sorry.
I know you will be angry. I know you will want revenge. am no longer there to explain what happened. I am sorry.
I know you will be angry. I know you will want revenge. But please, before you do anything, listen to the recording.
Nathan is alive. He never died. He has been But please, before you do anything, listen to the recording.
Nathan is alive. He never died. He has been using his supposed death to hide the money he stole from the company.
But he isn't the only one.
I using his supposed death to hide the money he stole from the company.*
But he isn't the only one.
I stopped.
The next sentence was underlined twice.
*The person who helped him was someone stopped.
The next sentence was underlined twice.
The person who helped him was someone you trusted with your life.
I looked at Miriam.
She was reading over my shoulder.
“Keep going,” she whispered.
you trusted with your life.
I looked at Miriam.
She was reading over my shoulder.
“Keep going,” she whispered.
*I discovered that my medical records had been altered. Dr. Pierce was not treating me according to the original diagnosis. SomeoneI discovered that my medical records had been altered.
Dr. Pierce was not treating me according to the original diagnosis. Someone had changed the dosage of my medication.*
I confronted him.
He told me I was imagining had changed the dosage of my medication.
I confronted him.
He told me I was imagining things.
Then Nathan came to see me.
He said I could sign the papers and keep the children safe, things.
Then Nathan came to see me.
He said I could sign the papers and keep the children safe, or refuse and risk losing everything.
I refused.
My hands began shaking.
Evan, if something happens to me, do or refuse and risk losing everything.
I refused.
My hands began shaking.
Evan, if something happens to me, do not believe the official report.
I was not dying when they told you I had only days left.
I read the sentence not believe the official report.*
I was not dying when they told you I had only days left.
I read the sentence again.
And again.
Miriam took the letter.
Her face had gone pale.
“Good God.””
The again.
And again.
Miriam took the letter.
Her face had gone pale.
“Good God.””
The investigator placed the memory card into a portable reader.
A video appeared.
Elena sat in her investigator placed the memory card into a portable reader.
A video appeared.
Elena sat in her hospital bed.
She looked tired, but her eyes were clear.
Nathan stood beside the window.
Dr. Pierce was seated near the door.
And a third man stood with hospital bed.
She looked tired, but her eyes were clear.
Nathan stood beside the window.
Dr. Pierce was seated near the door.
And a third man stood with his back to the camera.
I recognized the shoulders.
The posture.
The familiar way he held his hands behind his back.
Dominic Shaw.
El his back to the camera.
I recognized the shoulders.
The posture.
The familiar way he held his hands behind his back.
Dominic Shaw.
Elena's voice came through the small speaker.
“I'm not signing anything.””
Nathan sighed.
“Elena, don't make this harder thanena's voice came through the small speaker.
“I'm not signing anything.””
Nathan sighed.
“Elena, don't make this harder than it needs to be.””
“You told Evan you were dead.””
“Because Evan doesn't understand the bigger it needs to be.””
“You told Evan you were dead.””
“Because Evan doesn't understand the bigger picture.””
“He buried you.””
Nathan looked away.
For a moment, something resembling guilt picture.””
“He buried you.””
Nathan looked away.
For a moment, something resembling guilt crossed his face.
Then it disappeared.
“He needed to believe it.””
Elena's voice trembled.
“He crossed his face.
Then it disappeared.
“He needed to believe it.””
Elena's voice trembled.
“He stood at your grave.””
“And now he owns my shares.””
Nathan turned toward Dr. stood at your grave.””
“And now he owns my shares.””
Nathan turned toward Dr. Pierce.
“Tell her what happens if she continues refusing.””
The doctor cleared his throat.
“Mrs Pierce.
“Tell her what happens if she continues refusing.””
The doctor cleared his throat.
“Mrs. Whitaker, your condition is deteriorating. You need to remain calm.””
Elena laughed bitterly.
“My condition was stable three days. Whitaker, your condition is deteriorating. You need to remain calm.””
Elena laughed bitterly.
“My condition was stable three days ago. You changed my medication.””
Dr. Pierce stood.
“You're confused.””
“No. I'm frightened. There's ago. You changed my medication.””
Dr. Pierce stood.
“You're confused.””
“No. I'm frightened. There's a difference.””
Then Dominic spoke.
“Mrs. Whitaker, nobody wants to hurt the children.””
Elena turned toward him.
“You have children a difference.””
Then Dominic spoke.
“Mrs. Whitaker, nobody wants to hurt the children.””
Elena turned toward him.
“You have children, Dominic. How would you feel if someone told you they would be better off without their mother?””
Domin, Dominic. How would you feel if someone told you they would be better off without their mother?””
Dominic said nothing.
Nathan moved closer to the bed.
“Sign the document.””
“No.””
“Then Vanessa will take care of the children.””
Elena's expression changed.
“Vanic said nothing.
Nathan moved closer to the bed.
“Sign the document.””
“No.””
“Then Vanessa will take care of the children.””
Elena's expression changed.
“Vanessa?””
Nathan smiled.
“She understands the arrangement.””
Elena looked directly into the camera.
“Eessa?””
Nathan smiled.
“She understands the arrangement.””
Elena looked directly into the camera.
“Evan, if you ever see this, remember something. Your brother is not the only person who betrayed youvan, if you ever see this, remember something. Your brother is not the only person who betrayed you.””
The video ended.
Nobody spoke.
I stared at the blank screen.
Then I looked at the photograph again.
There was something written on the back.
.””
The video ended.
Nobody spoke.
I stared at the blank screen.
Then I looked at the photograph again.
There was something written on the back.
The second witness knows where the original medical records are.
I turned toward Miriam.
“Who was the second witness?””
She examinedThe second witness knows where the original medical records are.
I turned toward Miriam.
“Who was the second witness?””
She examined the photograph.
Then she pointed to the woman standing behind Nathan.
“Margaret.””
I looked toward the police vehicle.
Margaret was watching us through the photograph.
Then she pointed to the woman standing behind Nathan.
“Margaret.””
I looked toward the police vehicle.
Margaret was watching us through the window.
I walked over.
She opened the door before I reached it.
“Mr. Whitaker.””
“Why didn't the window.
I walked over.
She opened the door before I reached it.
“Mr. Whitaker.””
“Why didn't you tell me everything?””
Her eyes filled.
“I was afraid.””
“You watched them threaten my wife.””
“I tried to help you tell me everything?””
Her eyes filled.
“I was afraid.””
“You watched them threaten my wife.””
“I tried to help her.””
“Then why didn't you stop them?””
She looked down at her hands.
“Because I was told that if I spoke, your children would disappear her.””
“Then why didn't you stop them?””
She looked down at her hands.
“Because I was told that if I spoke, your children would disappear.””
My anger faltered.
Margaret reached into her coat.
She produced a small photograph.
It showed a hospital corridor.””
My anger faltered.
Margaret reached into her coat.
She produced a small photograph.
It showed a hospital corridor.
A nurse was pushing a medication trolley.
Beside her stood Dr. Pierce.
And on the wall behind them was a clock.
A nurse was pushing a medication trolley.
Beside her stood Dr. Pierce.
And on the wall behind them was a clock.
The timestamp on the photograph read 11:42 p.m.
The night Elena died.
“Where did you get this.
The timestamp on the photograph read 11:42 p.m.
The night Elena died.
“Where did you get this?””
“From the hospital's security archive. I kept a copy.””
“What does it prove?””
Margaret swallowed.
“The medication given?””
“From the hospital's security archive. I kept a copy.””
“What does it prove?””
Margaret swallowed.
“The medication given to your wife that night was not the medication prescribed by her doctor.””
“Who administered it?””
Margaret to your wife that night was not the medication prescribed by her doctor.””
“Who administered it?””
Margaret looked at me.
“I did.””
The world seemed to tilt.
“What?””
She began crying.
“I was ordered to administer it. Dr. looked at me.
“I did.””
The world seemed to tilt.
“What?””
She began crying.
“I was ordered to administer it. Dr. Pierce told me it was a replacement dose.
I believed him. I didn't know what was inside until I saw Elena's reaction.””
“Why didn't you call Pierce told me it was a replacement dose. I believed him. I didn't know what was inside until I saw Elena's reaction.””
“Why didn't you call for help?””
“I did. But Dominic was standing outside the room. He told the staff that Mr. Whitaker had authorized the for help?””
“I did. But Dominic was standing outside the room. He told the staff that Mr. Whitaker had authorized the emergency procedure.””
I stared at her.
“I never authorized anything.””
“I know that now.””
She took a shaky breath.
“Before emergency procedure.””
I stared at her.
“I never authorized anything.””
“I know that now.””
She took a shaky breath.
“Before Elena died, she grabbed my wrist. She told me to find you. She said Nathan would return, and when he Elena died, she grabbed my wrist.
She told me to find you. She said Nathan would return, and when he did, you would need to know who signed the final medical order.””
I looked at Miriam.
“Who signed it?””
Marg did, you would need to know who signed the final medical order.””
I looked at Miriam.
“Who signed it?””
Margaret pointed toward the photograph.
Dr. Pierce's signature appeared at the bottom.
But beside it was another signature.
A name I had not expected.
Dominic Shaw.
Iaret pointed toward the photograph.
Dr. Pierce's signature appeared at the bottom.
But beside it was another signature.
A name I had not expected.
Dominic Shaw.
I closed my eyes.
Then I heard an investigator's radio crackle.
“Mr. Whitaker, we've got a problem.””
I turned.
“What closed my eyes.
Then I heard an investigator's radio crackle.
“Mr. Whitaker, we've got a problem.””
I turned.
“What now?””
He approached, holding his phone.
“Dr. Pierce has been found now?””
He approached, holding his phone.
“Dr. Pierce has been found dead at his residence.””
My blood went cold.
“When?””
“Approximately forty minutes ago.””
“Cause?””
“Und dead at his residence.””
My blood went cold.
“When?””
“Approximately forty minutes ago.””
“Cause?””
“Undetermined. But his house has been searched. Someone removed his personal computer and medical files.””
I looked at the memory card.
Then at Elena's grave.
The peopleetermined. But his house has been searched. Someone removed his personal computer and medical files.””
I looked at the memory card.
Then at Elena's grave.
The people who had killed my wife were still cleaning up their work.
And now they knew I had found the recording.
At 7:15 a.m., I who had killed my wife were still cleaning up their work.
And now they knew I had found the recording.
At 7:15 a.m., I received a call from Grace.
Her voice was barely audible.
“Mr. Whitaker?””
“Grace, what's wrong?””
“Please come home.””
“Are received a call from Grace.
Her voice was barely audible.
“Mr. Whitaker?””
“Grace, what's wrong?””
“Please come home.””
“Are the children safe?””
She hesitated.
“That's why I'm calling.””
My heart began pounding.
“Tell me what happened.””
the children safe?””
She hesitated.
“That's why I'm calling.””
My heart began pounding.
“Tell me what happened.””
“Sophie found something in the library.””
“What?””
“A letter. It has her name on it.””
“Don't“Sophie found something in the library.””
“What?””
“A letter. It has her name on it.””
“Don't touch it.””
“I already did.””
A pause.
Then she whispered:
“Mr. Whitaker, touch it.””
“I already did.””
A pause.
Then she whispered:
“Mr. Whitaker, it's from your wife.””
I looked at Miriam.
“Put it somewhere safe. I'll be there in twenty minutes.””
Grace's next words stopped me.
“There's it's from your wife.””
I looked at Miriam.
“Put it somewhere safe. I'll be there in twenty minutes.””
Grace's next words stopped me.
“There's a photograph inside.””
“What photograph?””
“The one of your brother.””
She swallowed.
“But he's a photograph inside.””
“What photograph?””
“The one of your brother.””
She swallowed.
“But he's holding a newborn baby.””
I couldn't speak.
Because Nathan had no children.
At least, not according to anything I had ever been told.
And the holding a newborn baby.””
I couldn't speak.
Because Nathan had no children.
May you like
At least, not according to anything I had ever been told.
And the baby in his arms was wearing a hospital bracelet bearing my surname.
