Chapter 6: The Doctor's Confession
At 8:43 p.m., Dr. Daniel Collins finally answered his phone.
“Ethan?””
His voice sounded exhausted.
“Where are you?””
“At home.””
“Then stay there.””
A pause.
“Why?””
“Because I found the original medical records.””
Silence.
Then Dr. Collins exhaled.
“What records?””
“The ones Richard and Sophia hid in my basement.””
The doctor's breathing changed.
“Ethan, listen to me carefully. Don't confront Richard.””
“Why did you prescribe the compound?””
“I need to explain.””
“You have thirty seconds.””
“Not over the phone.””
Ethan looked at James.
The security chief was standing beside the open basement door, listening.
“Come to the estate,” Ethan said.
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because someone has been following me.””
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
“Who?””
“I don't know. But I found something in my office this afternoon. A photograph of my daughter leaving school.””
Ethan went silent.
Dr. Collins continued.
“They left a note. It said I should stop asking questions.””
“Daniel, did you know Sophia was changing my medication?””
“I suspected it.””
“That's not an answer.””
The doctor sighed.
“I discovered discrepancies in your prescriptions six weeks ago. The medication levels in your blood didn't match the doses I had authorized.””
“Then why didn't you stop it?””
“Because I wasn't sure who had access to your medical organizer. Every time I tried to arrange an independent examination, Sophia intervened.””
“You could have told me.””
“I should have.””
Ethan's voice hardened.
“You watched me deteriorate.””
“I made a terrible mistake.””
“You signed the prescriptions.””
“I signed the original prescriptions. I did not authorize the additional compound.””
Ethan looked at the medical records.
“Then who did?””
“I found a second signature on the electronic system. It belonged to someone using my credentials.””
“Who?””
“I don't know.””
“Daniel.””
The doctor hesitated.
Then he said something Ethan hadn't expected.
“Richard.””
Ethan closed his eyes.
“Explain.””
“Three years ago, Richard approached me after your accident. He said the family needed continuity in your treatment. He offered to fund a private neurological research program in your name.””
“And you agreed?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because I believed it was legitimate.””
“What happened?””
“The first few months were normal. Then Richard began requesting changes to your medication. He said you were participating in an experimental treatment and that the family had approved it.””
“Did you question him?””
“I did. He showed me signed authorization documents.””
“Forged documents?””
“I believe so.””
Ethan looked toward James.
“Keep talking.””
Dr. Collins took a shaky breath.
“Last year, I noticed that your neurological symptoms were worsening far more quickly than expected. I requested a complete toxicology panel.””
“And?””
“The results showed exposure to a substance that wasn't part of your treatment.””
Ethan gripped the phone.
“Did you identify it?””
“Not completely. But I found a connection to a private pharmaceutical supplier.””
“Who owns it?””
“An investment company linked to Richard.””
Ethan felt cold.
“Why didn't you report him?””
“Because the day after I received the results, someone entered my office and took the original samples.””
“Did you tell the police?””
“No.””
“Why?””
“My daughter was threatened.””
Ethan looked at James.
“Daniel, I need you to come here.””
“I told you I can't.””
“Then tell me where we can meet.””
There was another pause.
“St. Andrew's Hospital. The old neurological research wing. Room 314.””
“Why there?””
“Because there's someone you need to meet.””
“Who?””
“The surgeon who treated you the night of the accident.””
Ethan's heart began pounding.
“Dr. Samuel Reed?””
“Yes.””
“I thought he retired.””
“He did. But he never stopped investigating your case.””
Ethan ended the call.
James immediately stepped forward.
“Sir, we're not going anywhere without police protection.””
“Agreed.””
“Then I'll arrange an escort.””
Ethan nodded.
Before they left, he took another look at the photograph of Richard and Sophia in the hospital corridor.
He had spent three years believing that Sophia had sacrificed her life for him.
He had spent three years believing Richard had protected the company while he recovered.
Now he understood something.
They hadn't protected him.
They had protected their access to him.
At 9:35 p.m., Ethan arrived at St. Andrew's Hospital.
The old neurological research wing was nearly empty.
Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. The corridors smelled of disinfectant and stale coffee.
James pushed Ethan toward Room 314.
Dr. Collins was waiting inside.
So was an elderly man with white hair and a walking cane.
“Mr. Whitmore,” the man said.
Ethan recognized him immediately.
“Dr. Reed.””
The surgeon approached.
“I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.””
Ethan studied his face.
“You operated on me.””
“Yes.””
“Was I ever expected to walk again?””
Dr. Reed looked at Dr. Collins.
Then back at Ethan.
“Yes.””
The answer came without hesitation.
Ethan felt his chest tighten.
“Explain.””
Dr. Reed pulled a chair closer.
“Your spinal injury was serious, but your initial neurological response was encouraging. You had preserved movement in several muscle groups, and your reflexes suggested there was potential for significant rehabilitation.””
“Then why was I told I would never walk?””
“Because your condition changed.””
“When?””
“Approximately six weeks after the accident.””
Ethan looked at Dr. Collins.
The doctor lowered his eyes.
Dr. Reed continued.
“You developed sudden neurological deterioration. Your muscle responses weakened, your coordination declined, and you began experiencing symptoms that were not consistent with the original injury.””
“Medication?””
The surgeon nodded.
“We suspected an adverse reaction, but the compound was never listed in the hospital's official treatment records.””
“Who administered it?””
“We never established that.””
Ethan leaned forward.
“Did someone alter my records?””
Dr. Reed looked uncomfortable.
“Yes.””
“Who?””
“I don't know. But I discovered the changes after your transfer to the rehabilitation facility.””
“Why didn't you report it?””
“I did.””
“To whom?””
“The hospital's medical director.””
“And?””
“He told me the matter had been reviewed.””
Ethan stared at him.
“Reviewed by whom?””
Dr. Reed looked down.
“Richard Whitmore.””
The room became silent.
Ethan felt as though someone had reached into his chest and pulled out the last remaining piece of his trust.
“Richard wasn't a doctor.””
“No,” Dr. Reed replied.
“But he was the person financing the research program, and he had been granted extraordinary access to your medical information.””
“Who gave him that access?””
Dr. Collins finally spoke.
“I did.””
Ethan turned toward him.
“You?””
“I was told it was part of your family's private medical arrangement.””
“You signed the authorization?””
“Yes.””
“Without asking me?””
“You were unconscious.””
Ethan's voice became dangerously quiet.
“Then you should have protected me.””
Dr. Collins looked as though he had been struck.
“You're right.””
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Dr. Reed reached into his briefcase.
“I have something else.””
He placed an old photograph on the table.
It showed the emergency department corridor on the night of Ethan's accident.
A young nurse stood beside a medical trolley.
Behind her was a man wearing a dark coat.
Ethan recognized him.
Marcus Hale.
But what caught his attention was the object in Marcus's hand.
A small glass vial.
“Who took this photograph?”” Ethan asked.
“One of the hospital's security officers. He gave it to me privately.””
“Why?””
“Because he believed Marcus was involved in the unauthorized medication administration.””
Ethan looked closer.
“Where is the security officer now?””
“Dead.””
The word fell heavily.
“What happened?””
“He died in a car accident eighteen months ago.””
Ethan looked at James.
James's expression had become grim.
“Do you still have the original footage?”” he asked.
Dr. Reed nodded.
“I kept a copy.””
He opened his briefcase and removed a small storage device.
“This contains the original hospital security footage, including the corridor outside your room.””
Ethan reached for it.
But Dr. Reed pulled it back.
“There is something you need to understand first.””
“What?””
“The footage shows someone entering your room after the surgery.””
“Who?””
The surgeon looked directly at him.
“Your uncle.””
Ethan's fingers curled around the armrest.
“What did he do?””
“I don't know. The camera was partially obstructed.””
“Then why is that important?””
“Because when he left, the medication trolley was missing one vial.””
Ethan stared at him.
“Was Sophia there?””
Dr. Reed shook his head.
“No. But the footage shows her arriving less than two hours later.””
Ethan remembered Olivia's warning.
Sophia hadn't been there when he arrived.
She had appeared after the operation.
And she had told everyone she had never left his side.
“Daniel,” Ethan said, “did Sophia know about the compound?””
Dr. Collins hesitated.
Then he opened his phone.
“I found something yesterday.””
He placed it on the table.
It was a photograph of an email.
The sender was Sophia.
The recipient was Richard.
The subject line read:
*FINAL DOSAGE.*
Ethan read the message.
The new tablets are working. He can barely hold a glass now. Once the wedding is complete, we can transfer the remaining voting shares without opposition.
A second paragraph followed.
The little girl saw me in the kitchen. I don't know what she heard, but she may have taken something.
Ethan's face turned white.
He looked up.
“They knew about Maya.””
Dr. Collins nodded.
“I believe so.””
James immediately reached for his radio.
“We need to locate her.””
Ethan's phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared.
Your uncle has Margaret. Sophia has Maya.
A second message followed.
If you want the child alive, stop investigating.
Ethan looked at the screen.
Then a third message appeared.
This time, it contained a video.
He pressed play.
Maya was sitting on a wooden chair in a dark room.
Her yellow dress was dirty.
Her white floral headband was missing.
She was crying silently.
A man stood behind her, his face outside the camera frame.
Then Sophia stepped into view.
She was no longer wearing her wedding dress.
She wore a black evening outfit and held a glass of wine.
She crouched in front of Maya.
“Sweetheart,” Sophia said sweetly, “you've caused a lot of trouble today.””
Maya shook her head.
“I didn't do anything.””
Sophia smiled.
“You took something that wasn't yours.””
“I gave it to Mr. Whitmore because you were hurting him.””
Sophia's smile disappeared.
She grabbed the girl's chin.
“Listen carefully. Your mother is going to be very disappointed if you don't cooperate.””
Maya began crying.
“Please let my mommy go.””
Sophia stood.
“Then tell me where you put the original paper.””
“I don't know.””
Sophia turned toward the man behind the camera.
“Give her another ten minutes.””
The video ended.
Ethan stared at the black screen.
His hands were shaking.
James stepped forward.
“Sir, we're going to get her.””
Ethan looked at the surgeon.
“Do you have the original footage?””
“Yes.””
“Give it to James.””
Dr. Reed handed over the storage device.
Then Ethan turned toward Dr. Collins.
“Can the damage to my nervous system be reversed?””
The doctor looked at him for a long moment.
“I don't know yet.””
“Can you try?””
“Yes.””
“Then start.””
Dr. Collins nodded.
But Ethan wasn't finished.
He looked at the video again.
Maya had given him the pill because she believed he was a good man.
Now he had to prove she hadn't made a mistake.
“James,” he said.
“Yes, sir?””
“Find Sophia.””
“We're already tracking her phone.””
“Find Richard too.””
“And the police?””
Ethan looked toward the hospital window.
Outside, the city lights shimmered against the dark sky.
“Call the FBI. Give them every document from that cabinet. Every email, every prescription, every financial transfer.””
James nodded.
Ethan looked down at his legs.
Three years of stolen time.
Three years of lies.
Three years of believing his future was already over.
Then he looked at the frozen image of Maya on his phone.
“I'm not losing another person because of them.””
James's radio suddenly crackled.
“Mr. Carter, we've located the vehicle believed to be transporting the child.””
James grabbed the radio.
“Location?””
The response came through in fragments.
“Old Whitmore textile factory. South loading entrance.””
Ethan recognized the address.
It was the abandoned factory his father had closed twenty years earlier.
The same building where Richard had held private meetings before taking control of the company.
James turned toward Ethan.
“Sir, we have a location.””
Ethan nodded.
“Let's go.””
But as they reached the hospital corridor, Dr. Collins received a call.
He answered.
Listened.
Then slowly lowered the phone.
“What?”” Ethan demanded.
The doctor's face was drained of color.
“Richard knows we're coming.””
“How?””
Dr. Collins swallowed.
Then he whispered:
May you like
“Because someone at this hospital just sent him the footage of our meeting.””
And before Ethan could respond, the hospital lights went out.
