Chapter 9: The Last Secret in the Hospital Records
The hospital had kept my mother alive for forty-three minutes.
I read the Hospital Records
The hospital had kept my mother alive for forty-three minutes.
I read the medical record until the words blurred.
Claire Bennett.
Female.
Age thirty-nine medical record until the words blurred.
Claire Bennett.
Female.
Age thirty-nine.
Emergency admission.
12:16 a.m.
Condition: critical.
Time of death: 12:59 a.m.
I.
Emergency admission.
12:16 a.m.
Condition: critical.
Time of death: 12:59 a.m.
I placed the document on Daniel's desk.
"Why did nobody tell me?""
Daniel studied placed the document on Daniel's desk.
"Why did nobody tell me?""
Daniel studied the page.
"According to the official death certificate, your mother died at the scene of the accident.""
"But the page.
"According to the official death certificate, your mother died at the scene of the accident.""
"But she didn't.""
"No.""
"She was taken to a hospital.""
"Yes.""
I she didn't.""
"No.""
"She was taken to a hospital.""
"Yes.""
I looked at the two records side by side.
Richard Bennett had been admitted twenty looked at the two records side by side.
Richard Bennett had been admitted twenty-nine minutes before Claire.
Both had been brought in by emergency medical services.
Both had been treated at the same facility.
And both records contained an unusual notation.
**Private-nine minutes before Claire.
Both had been brought in by emergency medical services.
Both had been treated at the same facility.
And both records contained an unusual notation.
*Private attending physician requested.*
I looked at Daniel.
"Who was the doctor?""
He pointed to the name.
Dr. Samuel attending physician requested.**
I looked at Daniel.
"Who was the doctor?""
He pointed to the name.
Dr. Samuel Whitmore.
The same physician he had been trying to locate.
I picked Whitmore.
The same physician he had been trying to locate.
I picked up my phone.
"Find him.""
Daniel nodded.
"I'm working on it.""
Dr up my phone.
"Find him.""
Daniel nodded.
"I'm working on it.""
Dr. Whitmore lived in a quiet retirement community in Connecticut.
Daniel arranged an appointment for. Whitmore lived in a quiet retirement community in Connecticut.
Daniel arranged an appointment for that afternoon.
The drive took nearly two hours.
I barely spoke.
My mind kept returning to the same that afternoon.
The drive took nearly two hours.
I barely spoke.
My mind kept returning to the same question.
Why had my mother's hospital records been hidden?
And why had my father been treated for question.
Why had my mother's hospital records been hidden?
And why had my father been treated for poisoning on the same night?
When we arrived, a nurse escorted us to a small sitting poisoning on the same night?
When we arrived, a nurse escorted us to a small sitting room.
An elderly man sat beside the window.
He wore a gray sweater and held room.
An elderly man sat beside the window.
He wore a gray sweater and held a walking cane.
His hair was completely white.
But his eyes were sharp.
Daniel introduced us.
" a walking cane.
His hair was completely white.
But his eyes were sharp.
Daniel introduced us.
"Dr. Whitmore, this is Maya Bennett.""
The doctor looked at me.
For a moment, his expression changed.
"Dr. Whitmore, this is Maya Bennett.""
The doctor looked at me.
For a moment, his expression changed.
"Claire's daughter.""
I nodded.
"Did you treat my mother?""
He looked toward the window.
"Claire's daughter.""
I nodded.
"Did you treat my mother?""
He looked toward the window.
"Yes.""
"Did you treat my father too?""
He nodded slowly.
"Both of themYes.""
"Did you treat my father too?""
He nodded slowly.
"Both of them.""
I sat down.
"Can you tell me what happened?""
The doctor folded his hands.
"I've thought.""
I sat down.
"Can you tell me what happened?""
The doctor folded his hands.
"I've thought about that night for fourteen years.""
He took a breath.
"Your father was brought in first. He was unconscious, with signs of about that night for fourteen years.""
He took a breath.
"Your father was brought in first. He was unconscious, with signs of a sedative overdose. His condition was serious, but he was stable after treatment.""
"And a sedative overdose. His condition was serious, but he was stable after treatment.""
"And my mother?""
"She arrived twenty-nine minutes later.""
"Was my mother?""
"She arrived twenty-nine minutes later.""
"Was she in a car accident?""
The doctor hesitated.
"That's what the emergency team reported.""
I leaned forward.
"Was it she in a car accident?""
The doctor hesitated.
"That's what the emergency team reported.""
I leaned forward.
"Was it true?""
He looked at Daniel.
Then back at me.
"Not entirely.""
My true?""
He looked at Daniel.
Then back at me.
"Not entirely.""
My stomach tightened.
"What do you mean?""
"Your mother had suffered a head stomach tightened.
"What do you mean?""
"Your mother had suffered a head injury. But there were other signs that concerned me.""
"What signs?""
" injury. But there were other signs that concerned me.""
"What signs?""
"Bruising around her wrist. A deep cut on her hand. And evidence of a struggle.""
I feltBruising around her wrist. A deep cut on her hand. And evidence of a struggle.""
I felt cold.
"Could those injuries have happened in a car accident?""
"Some cold.
"Could those injuries have happened in a car accident?""
"Some could have. But the pattern was unusual.""
He reached for a folder.
"I documented everything could have. But the pattern was unusual.""
He reached for a folder.
"I documented everything.""
Daniel opened it.
The medical notes were handwritten.
One entry had been under.""
Daniel opened it.
The medical notes were handwritten.
One entry had been underlined.
**Patient repeatedly attempts to communicate. Possible assault priorlined.
*Patient repeatedly attempts to communicate. Possible assault prior to transport.*
I looked up.
"Did she speak?""
The doctor nodded.
"Briefly.""
"What to transport.**
I looked up.
"Did she speak?""
The doctor nodded.
"Briefly.""
"What did she say?""
He closed his eyes.
"I remember her asking for her daughter.""
My throat tightened.
"Me?""
"Yes.""
I pressed my fingers against my lips.
He continued.
"She did she say?""
He closed his eyes.
"I remember her asking for her daughter.""
My throat tightened.
"Me?""
"Yes.""
I pressed my fingers against my lips.
He continued.
"She kept saying the same thing. 'Please don't let Eleanor take her.''"
I felt tears gather.
kept saying the same thing. 'Please don't let Eleanor take her.''"
I felt tears gather.
"Did she explain?""
"No. She was losing consciousness.""
"Did you ask who had hurt her"Did she explain?""
"No. She was losing consciousness.""
"Did you ask who had hurt her?""
The doctor hesitated.
"Yes.""
"And?""
He looked directly at me.
"She said your?""
The doctor hesitated.
"Yes.""
"And?""
He looked directly at me.
"She said your father's name.""
I stared at him.
"Richard?""
He nodded.
"She said, 'Richard knows.''"
I father's name.""
I stared at him.
"Richard?""
He nodded.
"She said, 'Richard knows.''"
I looked down.
My father had known.
But what exactly?
Dr looked down.
My father had known.
But what exactly?
Dr. Whitmore opened another folder.
"There was something else.""
He removed a copy of an old hospital transfer request. Whitmore opened another folder.
"There was something else.""
He removed a copy of an old hospital transfer request.
It had been signed by Eleanor Bennett.
I recognized her handwriting from.
It had been signed by Eleanor Bennett.
I recognized her handwriting from the company documents.
The request stated that Claire should be transferred to the company documents.
The request stated that Claire should be transferred to another medical facility.
Daniel frowned.
"Why?""
The doctor looked uncomfortable.
"She claimed the family had arranged for another medical facility.
Daniel frowned.
"Why?""
The doctor looked uncomfortable.
"She claimed the family had arranged for a private specialist.""
"Did you approve it?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
"Your mother was unstable a private specialist.""
"Did you approve it?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
"Your mother was unstable. Moving her could have been fatal.""
He placed the document on the table.
"I refused.""
. Moving her could have been fatal.""
He placed the document on the table.
"I refused.""
I swallowed.
"What happened then?""
"Eleanor became angry.""
"HowI swallowed.
"What happened then?""
"Eleanor became angry.""
"How angry?""
"She threatened to have me removed from the case angry?""
"She threatened to have me removed from the case.""
I stared at him.
"Did she try?""
The.""
I stared at him.
"Did she try?""
The doctor nodded.
"She called the hospital administrator. She claimed I had a personal conflict of interest.""
Daniel doctor nodded.
"She called the hospital administrator. She claimed I had a personal conflict of interest.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Did you have one?""
"No. I had treated the Bennett family for several years.""
The doctor leaned forward.
"Did you have one?""
"No. I had treated the Bennett family for several years.""
The doctor paused.
"However, I later learned that Eleanor had offered a substantial paused.
"However, I later learned that Eleanor had offered a substantial donation to the hospital foundation.""
I looked at him.
"Was that why the records were changed?""
He didn't donation to the hospital foundation.""
I looked at him.
"Was that why the records were changed?""
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
"Three days after your mother's death, I was instructed to revise part answer immediately.
Then he said:
"Three days after your mother's death, I was instructed to revise part of the medical report.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"By whom?""
"Hospital administration.""
"What were you of the medical report.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"By whom?""
"Hospital administration.""
"What were you asked to change?""
"The description of the injuries. The original notes mentioned possible assault. The revised report described them asked to change?""
"The description of the injuries. The original notes mentioned possible assault. The revised report described them as injuries consistent with a road traffic collision.""
I felt sick.
"Did you agree?""
The doctor looked as injuries consistent with a road traffic collision.""
I felt sick.
"Did you agree?""
The doctor looked down.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
He closed his eyes.
"I was told the police had already ruled down.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
He closed his eyes.
"I was told the police had already ruled the death accidental. I was also threatened with a professional investigation if I refused.""
I stared at him.
"You helped the death accidental. I was also threatened with a professional investigation if I refused.""
I stared at him.
"You helped cover it up.""
He nodded.
"I did.""
For a long moment, nobody spoke.
Then he looked cover it up.""
He nodded.
"I did.""
For a long moment, nobody spoke.
Then he looked at me.
"I'm sorry, Maya.""
I stood.
"Sorry doesn't give at me.
"I'm sorry, Maya.""
I stood.
"Sorry doesn't give me my mother back.""
"No.""
"It doesn't give me fourteen years back.""
"No.""
I turned me my mother back.""
"No.""
"It doesn't give me fourteen years back.""
"No.""
I turned toward the door.
Then he spoke again.
"There's something else I should tell you.""
I stopped.
He reached toward the door.
Then he spoke again.
"There's something else I should tell you.""
I stopped.
He reached into the folder and removed a small photograph.
It showed a hospital corridor.
My mother was being wheeled toward an into the folder and removed a small photograph.
It showed a hospital corridor.
My mother was being wheeled toward an examination room.
A nurse stood beside her.
And behind the stretcher was a man.
Richard Bennett examination room.
A nurse stood beside her.
And behind the stretcher was a man.
Richard Bennett.
I stared.
"He was unconscious," I whispered.
Dr. Whitmore nodded.
"That photograph was taken at.
I stared.
"He was unconscious," I whispered.
Dr. Whitmore nodded.
"That photograph was taken at 12:34 a.m.""
I looked at the image again.
Richard was standing beside my mother's 12:34 a.m.""
I looked at the image again.
Richard was standing beside my mother's bed.
His face was pale.
His eyes were open.
"How?""
The doctor lowered bed.
His face was pale.
His eyes were open.
"How?""
The doctor lowered his voice.
"Your father regained consciousness shortly before midnight.""
I looked up.
"Then why did he say he was unconscious?""
Dr his voice.
"Your father regained consciousness shortly before midnight.""
I looked up.
"Then why did he say he was unconscious?""
Dr. Whitmore shook his head.
"He wasn't unconscious when your mother arrived.""
We left the retirement. Whitmore shook his head.
"He wasn't unconscious when your mother arrived.""
We left the retirement community in silence.
Daniel drove.
I sat in the passenger seat, staring at the photograph.
My father had been awake.
community in silence.
Daniel drove.
I sat in the passenger seat, staring at the photograph.
My father had been awake.
He had seen my mother.
He had been in the hospital room with her.
And he had neverHe had seen my mother.
He had been in the hospital room with her.
And he had never told me.
My phone rang.
Vanessa.
I answered.
"Where are you?""
She sounded frightened.
"At the told me.
My phone rang.
Vanessa.
I answered.
"Where are you?""
She sounded frightened.
"At the hospital.""
"What hospital?""
I hesitated.
"The one where Mom died.""
Silence.
Then she whispered:
"You found the hospital.""
"What hospital?""
I hesitated.
"The one where Mom died.""
Silence.
Then she whispered:
"You found the records.""
"Yes.""
"Did you speak to Dr. Whitmore?""
I looked at Daniel.
"How do you know his records.""
"Yes.""
"Did you speak to Dr. Whitmore?""
I looked at Daniel.
"How do you know his name?""
Vanessa took a shaky breath.
"Because Mom visited him after Claire died.""
My fingers name?""
Vanessa took a shaky breath.
"Because Mom visited him after Claire died.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Why?""
"To make sure he kept quiet.""
"How do tightened around the phone.
"Why?""
"To make sure he kept quiet.""
"How do you know?""
"I went with her.""
I closed my eyes.
"You you know?""
"I went with her.""
I closed my eyes.
"You were eleven.""
"I know.""
"What did you see?""
Vanessa began crying.
"I remember Mom giving him an were eleven.""
"I know.""
"What did you see?""
Vanessa began crying.
"I remember Mom giving him an envelope. She told him that if he ever mentioned what happened, his career envelope. She told him that if he ever mentioned what happened, his career would be over.""
I swallowed.
"Did you hear anything else?""
Vanessa was quiet.
would be over.""
I swallowed.
"Did you hear anything else?""
Vanessa was quiet.
Then she said:
"I heard Dad crying.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"What?""
"He was inThen she said:
"I heard Dad crying.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"What?""
"He was in the car outside. Mom came back and told me he was going to be the car outside. Mom came back and told me he was going to be fine.""
I stared out the window.
"Vanessa, why are you telling me this?""
"Because I found something else.""
"What?""
" fine.""
I stared out the window.
"Vanessa, why are you telling me this?""
"Because I found something else.""
"What?""
"Mom has the original recording.""
I sat upright.
"What recording?""
"The one from the hospital.""
MyMom has the original recording.""
I sat upright.
"What recording?""
"The one from the hospital.""
My heart began pounding.
"Where?""
"At her office. In the locked cabinet behind her desk.""
"How do you heart began pounding.
"Where?""
"At her office. In the locked cabinet behind her desk.""
"How do you know?""
"Because I saw her play it.""
I looked at Daniel.
He immediately know?""
"Because I saw her play it.""
I looked at Daniel.
He immediately turned the car around.
"Vanessa, listen carefully. Don't touch anything. Don't let your mother know turned the car around.
"Vanessa, listen carefully. Don't touch anything. Don't let your mother know we're coming.""
There was a long pause.
Then Vanessa whispered:
"Too late.""
We arrived at Eleanor's we're coming.""
There was a long pause.
Then Vanessa whispered:
"Too late.""
We arrived at Eleanor's office forty minutes later.
It was located in a luxury commercial building in Manhattan.
The reception area was empty office forty minutes later.
It was located in a luxury commercial building in Manhattan.
The reception area was empty.
Vanessa stood near the elevators, wearing a dark coat and holding a handbag.
She looked nervous.
When she saw.
Vanessa stood near the elevators, wearing a dark coat and holding a handbag.
She looked nervous.
When she saw me, she rushed forward.
"She's not here.""
"Where is she?""
"I don't know. She left me, she rushed forward.
"She's not here.""
"Where is she?""
"I don't know. She left an hour ago.""
Daniel glanced around.
"How did you get inside?""
"I have a key.""
She an hour ago.""
Daniel glanced around.
"How did you get inside?""
"I have a key.""
She pulled out a small access card.
"Come on.""
We entered Eleanor's private office.
Everything pulled out a small access card.
"Come on.""
We entered Eleanor's private office.
Everything was immaculate.
A glass desk.
A leather sofa.
Framed photographs of fashion events.
On the wall was a was immaculate.
A glass desk.
A leather sofa.
Framed photographs of fashion events.
On the wall was a large promotional image of Vanessa wearing my large promotional image of Vanessa wearing my original red gown.
I stared at it.
Beneath the photograph was a plaque.
*NORTHSTAR CREATIVE — THE FUTURE OF COUTURE.*
original red gown.
I stared at it.
Beneath the photograph was a plaque.
*NORTHSTAR CREATIVE — THE FUTURE OF COUTURE.*
Vanessa noticed my expression.
"She was planning to launch the collection next month.""
"My collection.""
VanVanessa noticed my expression.
"She was planning to launch the collection next month.""
"My collection.""
Vanessa nodded.
I looked away.
She led us toward the desk.
Behindessa nodded.
I looked away.
She led us toward the desk.
Behind it stood a tall cabinet.
She unlocked the bottom drawer.
Inside were several folders and a small black storage it stood a tall cabinet.
She unlocked the bottom drawer.
Inside were several folders and a small black storage device.
"That's it," she whispered.
Daniel picked it up.
"Don't device.
"That's it," she whispered.
Daniel picked it up.
"Don't touch anything else.""
He examined the device.
A label had been attached.
*CLAIRE BENNETT — FINAL RECORDING.*
My touch anything else.""
He examined the device.
A label had been attached.
*CLAIRE BENNETT — FINAL RECORDING.*
My hands began trembling.
"Can we play it?""
Daniel connected the device to his laptop.
A hands began trembling.
"Can we play it?""
Daniel connected the device to his laptop.
A single audio file appeared.
He pressed play.
At first, there was static.
Then my mother's voice.
" single audio file appeared.
He pressed play.
At first, there was static.
Then my mother's voice.
"Richard, please. You have to listen to me.""
A man's voice answered.
"I know.""
"She'sRichard, please. You have to listen to me.""
A man's voice answered.
"I know.""
"She's taken the documents.""
"I know, Claire.""
"Then why are you protecting her?""
Silence.
My mother's voice became more taken the documents.""
"I know, Claire.""
"Then why are you protecting her?""
Silence.
My mother's voice became more urgent.
"She poisoned you. I saw what she put urgent.
"She poisoned you. I saw what she put in your drink.""
I stopped breathing.
Richard answered weakly.
"I know.""
"Then we in your drink.""
I stopped breathing.
Richard answered weakly.
"I know.""
"Then we need to go to the police.""
"I can't.""
"Why need to go to the police.""
"I can't.""
"Why?""
A long silence followed.
Then Richard spoke.
"Because I was the one who gave her the key.""
I?""
A long silence followed.
Then Richard spoke.
"Because I was the one who gave her the key.""
I looked at Daniel.
My mother continued.
"Richard, what have you done?""
His voice cracked.
"I thought she only wanted the company.""
looked at Daniel.
My mother continued.
"Richard, what have you done?""
His voice cracked.
"I thought she only wanted the company.""
"She wants everything.""
"I know.""
"She has the"She wants everything.""
"I know.""
"She has the blueprints. She has the money. And now she's trying to take Maya.""
Richard began blueprints. She has the money. And now she's trying to take Maya.""
Richard began crying.
"I didn't know she'd go this far.""
My mother's voice softened.
"Then help me stop her.""
There was a loud noise.
A door sl crying.
"I didn't know she'd go this far.""
My mother's voice softened.
"Then help me stop her.""
There was a loud noise.
A door slamming.
Then Eleanor's voice.
"How touching.""
My blood ran cold.
She was there.
My mother spokeamming.
Then Eleanor's voice.
"How touching.""
My blood ran cold.
She was there.
My mother spoke.
"Eleanor, stay away from me.""
Eleanor laughed.
"You're making.
"Eleanor, stay away from me.""
Eleanor laughed.
"You're making this very difficult.""
"Give me the documents.""
"No.""
"Then I'll report you this very difficult.""
"Give me the documents.""
"No.""
"Then I'll report you.""
"To whom? Your husband?""
A pause.
Then Eleanor said something that made my entire.""
"To whom? Your husband?""
A pause.
Then Eleanor said something that made my entire body freeze.
"Richard already knows what happened to your first child.""
My mother screamed.
"What did you say body freeze.
"Richard already knows what happened to your first child.""
My mother screamed.
"What did you say?""
The recording crackled.
Then Richard's voice.
"Eleanor, don't.""
But she continued?""
The recording crackled.
Then Richard's voice.
"Eleanor, don't.""
But she continued.
"Tell her, Richard. Tell her what you signed.""
My mother was crying now.
"Tell her, Richard. Tell her what you signed.""
My mother was crying now.
"No. No, you promised.""
Richard whispered:
"I had no choice.""
The.
"No. No, you promised.""
Richard whispered:
"I had no choice.""
The recording ended.
I stared at the laptop.
My first child?
I recording ended.
I stared at the laptop.
My first child?
I was an only child.
At least, that was what I had always believed.
Daniel slowly closed the file.
Vanessa was standing near the was an only child.
At least, that was what I had always believed.
Daniel slowly closed the file.
Vanessa was standing near the door.
Her face had gone completely white.
I turned toward her.
"What was she talking about?""
door.
Her face had gone completely white.
I turned toward her.
"What was she talking about?""
Vanessa shook her head.
"I don't know.""
"You'reVanessa shook her head.
"I don't know.""
"You're lying.""
"I'm not.""
"Then why are you frightened?""
She covered her mouth.
And then she said:
"Because I heard Mom talking about it lying.""
"I'm not.""
"Then why are you frightened?""
She covered her mouth.
And then she said:
"Because I heard Mom talking about it last week.""
I stepped closer.
"What did she say?""
Vanessa looked at me.
"She said Claire had another baby last week.""
I stepped closer.
"What did she say?""
Vanessa looked at me.
"She said Claire had another baby.""
My heart stopped.
"Where is that child?""
Vanessa's eyes filled.
".""
My heart stopped.
"Where is that child?""
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"She said the baby died.""
I looked at Daniel.
He immediately began examining the recording's metadataShe said the baby died.""
I looked at Daniel.
He immediately began examining the recording's metadata.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And slowly stood.
"What is it?"" I asked.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And slowly stood.
"What is it?"" I asked.
He ended the call.
"Maya, the hospital has located the original maternity records from.
He ended the call.
"Maya, the hospital has located the original maternity records from the year you were born.""
I felt dizzy.
"What do they say?""
He looked at the year you were born.""
I felt dizzy.
"What do they say?""
He looked at me.
"There were two babies registered under Claire Bennett's name.""
I me.
"There were two babies registered under Claire Bennett's name.""
I stared at him.
"Twins?""
Daniel nodded.
"Yes.""
I gripped the edge of Eleanor's desk.
" stared at him.
"Twins?""
Daniel nodded.
"Yes.""
I gripped the edge of Eleanor's desk.
"Where is the other baby?""
Daniel looked at the screen.
Then he turned the laptop toward me.
OneWhere is the other baby?""
Daniel looked at the screen.
Then he turned the laptop toward me.
One record showed my name.
**Maya Bennett — Female record showed my name.
*Maya Bennett — Female — Discharged to parents.*
The second showed:
*Female infant — Transferred to private guardians — Discharged to parents.*
The second showed:
*Female infant — Transferred to private guardianship.*
The receiving guardianhip.**
The receiving guardian's name had been redacted.
But the authorization signature was visible.
I recognized it immediately.
's name had been redacted.
But the authorization signature was visible.
I recognized it immediately.
Eleanor Bennett.
And beside her signature was a second document.
A photograph of a little girl.
With myEleanor Bennett.
And beside her signature was a second document.
A photograph of a little girl.
With my mother's eyes.
Daniel looked at me.
"M mother's eyes.
May you like
Daniel looked at me.
"Maya, I think your sister may be alive.""
