Chapter 9: The Woman Who Witness## Chapter 9: The Woman Who Witnessed My Mother's Last Night
Nobody moved.
ed My Mother's Last Night
Nobody moved.
The woman stood just inside the doorway, her eyes fixed on meThe woman stood just inside the doorway, her eyes fixed on me.
She had the same dark brown eyes as my mother.
The same delicate nose.
Even the small scar above her.
She had the same dark brown eyes as my mother.
The same delicate nose.
Even the small scar above her left eyebrow looked familiar.
For one impossible second, I had left eyebrow looked familiar.
For one impossible second, I had believed I was looking at a ghost.
Then she spoke again.
"My name is Helen Carter. I was your mother's closest friend.""
Thomas looked as though he had seen someone return from the dead.
"Helen?""
She nodded.
"I told you never to contact me again.""
Thomas lowered his eyes.
"I believed I was looking at a ghost.
Then she spoke again.
"My name is Helen Carter. I was your mother's closest friend.""
Thomas looked as though he had seen someone return from the dead.
"Helen?""
She nodded.
"I told you never to contact me again.""
Thomas lowered his eyes.
"I thought you were gone.""
"I was.""
She placed her handbag on the table.
"Until someone started using Margaret's name to steal from her thought you were gone.""
"I was.""
She placed her handbag on the table.
"Until someone started using Margaret's name to steal from her daughter.""
I stared at her.
"You knew my mother?""
Helen turned toward me.
"I knew her better than almost anyone.""
"Then why have daughter.""
I stared at her.
"You knew my mother?""
Helen turned toward me.
"I knew her better than almost anyone.""
"Then why have I never heard of you?""
"Because Margaret made me promise to stay away.""
"Why?""
Helen glanced I never heard of you?""
"Because Margaret made me promise to stay away.""
"Why?""
Helen glanced at Eleanor.
"Because the people who wanted her silenced believed I had the original evidence.""
I felt a chill move through me.
"Evidence of what?""
Helen looked at the black ledger in Marcus's hands.
"Evidence that your mother's death was not the simple medical tragedy at Eleanor.
"Because the people who wanted her silenced believed I had the original evidence.""
I felt a chill move through me.
"Evidence of what?""
Helen looked at the black ledger in Marcus's hands.
"Evidence that your mother's death was not the simple medical tragedy everyone was told it was.""
My knees weakened.
Eleanor immediately pulled out a chair.
"Sit everyone was told it was.""
My knees weakened.
Eleanor immediately pulled out a chair.
"Sit down, Claire.""
I sat.
Helen approached the table and removed a photograph from her handbag.
It showed my mother sitting in a hospital room.
She looked tired down, Claire.""
I sat.
Helen approached the table and removed a photograph from her handbag.
It showed my mother sitting in a hospital room.
She looked tired, but she was smiling.
Beside her stood Helen.
On the back was a handwritten date.
The day before my mother died.
I touched the photograph.
"Where was this taken?""
"St. Mary's Hospital.""
"Why was, but she was smiling.
Beside her stood Helen.
On the back was a handwritten date.
The day before my mother died.
I touched the photograph.
"Where was this taken?""
"St. Mary's Hospital.""
"Why was she there?""
Helen took a breath.
"She had been admitted after experiencing severe abdominal pain. The doctors initially believed it was a complication unrelated to her earlier she there?""
Helen took a breath.
"She had been admitted after experiencing severe abdominal pain. The doctors initially believed it was a complication unrelated to her earlier medical history.""
I looked at her.
"What happened?""
Helen's eyes filled.
"Someone visited her that night.""
"Who?""
"Daniel Cross.""
Thomas medical history.""
I looked at her.
"What happened?""
Helen's eyes filled.
"Someone visited her that night.""
"Who?""
"Daniel Cross.""
Thomas swore under his breath.
Eleanor gripped the edge of the table.
"Daniel was at the hospital?""
Helen nodded swore under his breath.
Eleanor gripped the edge of the table.
"Daniel was at the hospital?""
Helen nodded.
"He told Margaret that the investigation was over. He said the documents had been destroyed and Robert had agreed to leave everything alone.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"Did my mother believe him?""
"No.
"He told Margaret that the investigation was over. He said the documents had been destroyed and Robert had agreed to leave everything alone.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"Did my mother believe him?""
"No.""
Helen's.""
Helen's voice became firm.
"Margaret knew Daniel was lying. She had copies of the financial records, and she had already sent some of them to Robert.""
"Then what happened?""
Helen looked at Marcus.
"Daniel discovered that she had kept another voice became firm.
"Margaret knew Daniel was lying. She had copies of the financial records, and she had already sent some of them to Robert.""
"Then what happened?""
Helen looked at Marcus.
"Daniel discovered that she had kept another copy.""
Marcus shifted.
Helen noticed.
"You're beginning to understand, aren't you?""
He said nothing.
She continued.
"Margaret was frightened. She believed Daniel would come back for the documents. So she asked me to help her move them.""
"Where?""
Helen pointed toward the brass-locked box.
"Inside the lining copy.""
Marcus shifted.
Helen noticed.
"You're beginning to understand, aren't you?""
He said nothing.
She continued.
"Margaret was frightened. She believed Daniel would come back for the documents. So she asked me to help her move them.""
"Where?""
Helen pointed toward the brass-locked box.
"Inside the lining.""
I stared.
"But the box was empty.""
"Because the ledger wasn't the only thing your mother hid.""
.""
I stared.
"But the box was empty.""
"Because the ledger wasn't the only thing your mother hid.""
Helen opened the box and examined the interior.
She ran her fingers along the woodenHelen opened the box and examined the interior.
She ran her fingers along the wooden lining.
Then she pressed a small metal button near the hinge.
A section of the bottom panel lifted.
Inside was a narrow compartment.
And inside that compartment was a small cassette recorder, wrapped in a faded piece lining.
Then she pressed a small metal button near the hinge.
A section of the bottom panel lifted.
Inside was a narrow compartment.
And inside that compartment was a small cassette recorder, wrapped in a faded piece of blue cloth.
My mother's favorite color.
Helen carefully removed it.
"She recorded the conversation.""
I stared at the recorder.
"With Daniel?""
Helen nodded.
of blue cloth.
My mother's favorite color.
Helen carefully removed it.
"She recorded the conversation.""
I stared at the recorder.
"With Daniel?""
Helen nodded.
"She wanted someone to know what happened if she couldn't tell the story herself.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Give me that.""
David's"She wanted someone to know what happened if she couldn't tell the story herself.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Give me that.""
David's security officer moved between them.
"Stay where you are, sir.""
Marcus glared at him.
"That recording belongs to the family.""
Helen laughed bitterly.
" security officer moved between them.
"Stay where you are, sir.""
Marcus glared at him.
"That recording belongs to the family.""
Helen laughed bitterly.
"Your family has spent eleven years trying to make sure it never gets heard.""
SheYour family has spent eleven years trying to make sure it never gets heard.""
She placed the recorder on the table.
Then she looked at me.
"Would you like to hear your mother's voice?""
I couldn't speak.
I simply nodded.
The recorder was old, but it still worked.
David found a battery adapter in his car.
A few minutes later, the room was silent.
Helen pressed PLAY.
At first, there was only static.
Then a familiar voice filled the room.
My mother's voice.
"Daniel, placed the recorder on the table.
Then she looked at me.
"Would you like to hear your mother's voice?""
I couldn't speak.
I simply nodded.
The recorder was old, but it still worked.
David found a battery adapter in his car.
A few minutes later, the room was silent.
Helen pressed PLAY.
At first, there was only static.
Then a familiar voice filled the room.
My mother's voice.
"Daniel, you need to leave.""
I covered my mouth.
I hadn't heard her voice in eleven years.
I remembered the way she used to call me you need to leave.""
I covered my mouth.
I hadn't heard her voice in eleven years.
I remembered the way she used to call me downstairs for downstairs for dinner.
The way she sang while cooking.
The way she laughed whenever I told a ridiculous joke.
And now she was speaking from a small machine on a wooden table.
Another voice answered.
Daniel.
"Margaret, you're making a terrible mistake.""
My mother's voice sounded tired.
"You stole from the foundation.""
"I dinner.
The way she sang while cooking.
The way she laughed whenever I told a ridiculous joke.
And now she was speaking from a small machine on a wooden table.
Another voice answered.
Daniel.
"Margaret, you're making a terrible mistake.""
My mother's voice sounded tired.
"You stole from the foundation.""
"I borrowed money.""
"Eight million dollars is not a loan when you have no intention of returning it.""
"Robert understands the situation.""
"Robert borrowed money.""
"Eight million dollars is not a loan when you have no intention of returning it.""
"Robert understands the situation.""
"Robert doesn't know everything.""
There was a pause.
Then Daniel spoke again.
"You need to give me the original ledger.""
"No.""
"Marg doesn't know everything.""
There was a pause.
Then Daniel spoke again.
"You need to give me the original ledger.""
"No.""
"Margaret.""
"No, Daniel. I won't let you use my daughter.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
Daniel'saret.""
"No, Daniel. I won't let you use my daughter.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
Daniel's voice became colder.
"Your daughter has nothing to do with this.""
"She has everything to do with it.""
"Then perhaps you should have thought about that before bringing her voice became colder.
"Your daughter has nothing to do with this.""
"She has everything to do with it.""
"Then perhaps you should have thought about that before bringing her into this.""
A chair scraped against the floor.
My mother's breathing became faster.
"Are you threatening me?""
"I'm explaining the consequences of into this.""
A chair scraped against the floor.
My mother's breathing became faster.
"Are you threatening me?""
"I'm explaining the consequences of your decisions.""
"Get out.""
"Where your decisions.""
"Get out.""
"Where is the ledger?""
"Get out of my room.""
Then another sound.
A door opening.
And a third voice.
A man's voice.
One I recognized immediately.
Robert Hale.
"Daniel, that's enough.""
I looked at Eleanor.
She had both hands pressed against her mouth.
On is the ledger?""
"Get out of my room.""
Then another sound.
A door opening.
And a third voice.
A man's voice.
One I recognized immediately.
Robert Hale.
"Daniel, that's enough.""
I looked at Eleanor.
She had both hands pressed against her mouth.
On the recording, Daniel sounded surprised.
"Robert?""
"You heard me.""
"She's making accusations.""
"I've heard enough.""
"You're going to believe her?""
Robert's voice became firm.
"I'm going to believe the documents the recording, Daniel sounded surprised.
"Robert?""
"You heard me.""
"She's making accusations.""
"I've heard enough.""
"You're going to believe her?""
Robert's voice became firm.
"I'm going to believe the documents.""
There was a long silence.
Then Daniel said something that made my skin crawl.
"Your son already knows what we did.""
I looked at.""
There was a long silence.
Then Daniel said something that made my skin crawl.
"Your son already knows what we did.""
I looked at Marcus.
His face had turned completely white.
On the recording, Robert answered:
"Marcus is not part of this.""
Daniel laughed.
"Are you sure about that?""
The recording continued.
I heard footsteps.
Then Robert spoke again.
"Marg Marcus.
His face had turned completely white.
On the recording, Robert answered:
"Marcus is not part of this.""
Daniel laughed.
"Are you sure about that?""
The recording continued.
I heard footsteps.
Then Robert spoke again.
"Margaret, I'll take care of this. I promise.""
My mother's voice was barely audible.
"You promised before.""
"I know.""
"Then don't make another promise you can't keep.""
The recording ended with a loud clickaret, I'll take care of this. I promise.""
My mother's voice was barely audible.
"You promised before.""
"I know.""
"Then don't make another promise you can't keep.""
The recording ended with a loud click.
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Marcus.
"Your father.
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Marcus.
"Your father knew.""
He stared at the floor.
"Yes.""
"Did you know?""
He remained silent.
"Marcus!""
He finally looked up.
"I was twenty-six.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"That's not an answer.""
He swallowed.
"I knew about knew.""
He stared at the floor.
"Yes.""
"Did you know?""
He remained silent.
"Marcus!""
He finally looked up.
"I was twenty-six.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"That's not an answer.""
He swallowed.
"I knew about the transfers.""
"Did you know about my mother?""
He looked away.
That was enough.
I stood.
"You knew my mother was being threatened?""
"Claire the transfers.""
"Did you know about my mother?""
He looked away.
That was enough.
I stood.
"You knew my mother was being threatened?""
"Claire, I didn't know what Daniel was going to do.""
"You knew he was stealing money.""
"Yes.""
"You knew Robert was investigating him.""
"Yes.""
"And you married me without telling me any of this?""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"I didn't know you were Margaret's daughter when we first met.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
He looked toward Thomas.
, I didn't know what Daniel was going to do.""
"You knew he was stealing money.""
"Yes.""
"You knew Robert was investigating him.""
"Yes.""
"And you married me without telling me any of this?""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"I didn't know you were Margaret's daughter when we first met.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
He looked toward Thomas.
Thomas nodded reluctantly.
"That's true. Robert kept the original beneficiary information confidential.""
Marcus continued.
"I found out after our weddingThomas nodded reluctantly.
"That's true. Robert kept the original beneficiary information confidential.""
Marcus continued.
"I found out after our wedding.""
I felt as if the floor had disappeared.
"How?""
"An estate document.""
"When?""
He hesitated.
"About.""
I felt as if the floor had disappeared.
"How?""
"An estate document.""
"When?""
He hesitated.
"About six months after we got married.""
Six months.
I remembered that period.
Marcus had suddenly become interested in my mother's belongings.
He had asked about old photographs six months after we got married.""
Six months.
I remembered that period.
Marcus had suddenly become interested in my mother's belongings.
He had asked about old photographs.
He had asked whether I had kept her legal papers.
He had asked whether she had ever mentioned Robert Hale.
I had thought he was simply trying.
He had asked whether I had kept her legal papers.
He had asked whether she had ever mentioned Robert Hale.
I had thought he was simply trying to understand my family history.
I had answered every question.
"That's why you asked about her documents.""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
"And that's why you started seeing Vivian?""
His eyes to understand my family history.
I had answered every question.
"That's why you asked about her documents.""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
"And that's why you started seeing Vivian?""
His eyes shifted.
"Daniel contacted me. He said there was a way to settle the old financial dispute.""
"By using me?""
"By shifted.
"Daniel contacted me. He said there was a way to settle the old financial dispute.""
"By using me?""
"By resolving the inheritance issue.""
I laughed through my tears.
"You married me, discovered resolving the inheritance issue.""
I laughed through my tears.
"You married me, discovered who my father was, and then decided I was a financial problem.""
"That's not what happened.""
"Then what happened?""
He who my father was, and then decided I was a financial problem.""
"That's not what happened.""
"Then what happened?""
He finally lost his temper.
"I was trying to protect everything my father built!""
Eleanor stepped forward.
"Your father built nothing with stolen money.""
Marcus turned finally lost his temper.
"I was trying to protect everything my father built!""
Eleanor stepped forward.
"Your father built nothing with stolen money.""
Marcus turned toward her.
"Mother, you have no idea what Daniel threatened to expose!""
"Then tell us.""
He said nothing.
Helen slowly picked up the photograph of my mother.
"Daniel threatened to reveal that Robert had fathered Claire before marrying Eleanor. He believed the scandal would damage the Hale family and destabilize the trust.""
Eleanor closed her eyes.
Marcus continued staring at the floor.
Helen looked at him.
"Then Daniel offered you a solution. If you toward her.
"Mother, you have no idea what Daniel threatened to expose!""
"Then tell us.""
He said nothing.
Helen slowly picked up the photograph of my mother.
"Daniel threatened to reveal that Robert had fathered Claire before marrying Eleanor. He believed the scandal would damage the Hale family and destabilize the trust.""
Eleanor closed her eyes.
Marcus continued staring at the floor.
Helen looked at him.
"Then Daniel offered you a solution. If you could make Claire sign away her interests, he would destroy the evidence and allow you to retain control of the company.""
I felt sick.
"So the affair with Vivian...""
Helen nodded.
"Was part of the could make Claire sign away her interests, he would destroy the evidence and allow you to retain control of the company.""
I felt sick.
"So the affair with Vivian...""
Helen nodded.
"Was part of the arrangement.""
I looked at Marcus.
He didn't deny it.
"She was supposed to become the new beneficiary," I whispered.
Helen nodded again.
"Daniel wanted someone loyal to him controlling the trust. Vivian arrangement.""
I looked at Marcus.
He didn't deny it.
"She was supposed to become the new beneficiary," I whispered.
Helen nodded again.
"Daniel wanted someone loyal to him controlling the trust. Vivian was his daughter.""
I looked at Vivian's empty chair.
Suddenly, her behavior made sense.
She hadn't simply wanted my husband.
She had wanted my was his daughter.""
I looked at Vivian's empty chair.
Suddenly, her behavior made sense.
She hadn't simply wanted my husband.
She had wanted my position.
My inheritance.
My child's future.
And Marcus had been willing to hand all of it to her.
There was one thing I still didn't understand.
"Why did my mother die position.
My inheritance.
My child's future.
And Marcus had been willing to hand all of it to her.
There was one thing I still didn't understand.
"Why did my mother die?""
Helen looked at me for a long time.
"Margaret's medical condition was serious, but it was treatable. She was responding to?""
Helen looked at me for a long time.
"Margaret's medical condition was serious, but it was treatable. She was responding to medication.""
I gr medication.""
I gripped the chair.
"Then what happened?""
Helen's voice broke.
"The night before she died, Daniel returned to the hospital.""
Thomas stood.
"How do you know?""
"Because I saw him.""
Helen looked at me.
"He spoke with someone in the administration office. The following morning, Margaret's medication schedule was changed.""
Eleanor's face went pale.
"Are you saying the hospital staff wereipped the chair.
"Then what happened?""
Helen's voice broke.
"The night before she died, Daniel returned to the hospital.""
Thomas stood.
"How do you know?""
"Because I saw him.""
Helen looked at me.
"He spoke with someone in the administration office. The following morning, Margaret's medication schedule was changed.""
Eleanor's face went pale.
"Are you saying the hospital staff were involved?""
"I'm saying I reported what I saw, but nobody investigated properly. The records were amended afterward.""
David immediately took involved?""
"I'm saying I reported what I saw, but nobody investigated properly. The records were amended afterward.""
David immediately took notes.
"Do you have evidence?""
Helen nodded.
"I kept copies of the original hospital records.""
She opened her handbag and removed a sealed envelope.
Inside were photocopies of medical charts notes.
"Do you have evidence?""
Helen nodded.
"I kept copies of the original hospital records.""
She opened her handbag and removed a sealed envelope.
Inside were photocopies of medical charts, handwritten notes, and a hospital visitor log.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Daniel Cross.
Another name appeared beside it.
**Dr. Richard Coleman, handwritten notes, and a hospital visitor log.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Daniel Cross.
Another name appeared beside it.
*Dr. Richard Coleman.*
David studied the.**
David studied the papers.
"These will need independent medical and forensic review.""
I stared at Helen.
"Did you tell the police?""
"Yes. But the complaint disappeared.""
"Why?""
"Because Daniel had connections. And because I was threatened.""
She reached into her handbag again.
This time, papers.
"These will need independent medical and forensic review.""
I stared at Helen.
"Did you tell the police?""
"Yes. But the complaint disappeared.""
"Why?""
"Because Daniel had connections. And because I was threatened.""
She reached into her handbag again.
This time, she removed a photograph.
It showed my mother holding me as a baby.
On the back was a note.
*Claire, my greatest she removed a photograph.
It showed my mother holding me as a baby.
On the back was a note.
Claire, my greatest mistake was believing that silence would keep you safe.
I pressed the photograph against my chest.
For eleven years, I had thought my mother had mistake was believing that silence would keep you safe.*
I pressed the photograph against my chest.
For eleven years, I had thought my mother had simply died.
Now I was learning that she had spent her final days trying to protect me from people who had never simply died.
Now I was learning that she had spent her final days trying to protect me from people who had never stopped watching our family.
I looked at Helen.
"Why didn't you come to me?""
She began crying.
"Because Margaret made me promise that if she died, I would keep you away from the Hale family.""
"But I married Marcus.""
"I know.""
She lowered her eyes.
"I tried to contact you when I discovered who he was. But by then, he had already isolated stopped watching our family.
I looked at Helen.
"Why didn't you come to me?""
She began crying.
"Because Margaret made me promise that if she died, I would keep you away from the Hale family.""
"But I married Marcus.""
"I know.""
She lowered her eyes.
"I tried to contact you when I discovered who he was. But by then, he had already isolated you from the people who might have recognized the connection.""
I remembered how Marcus had reacted whenever I mentioned visiting old family friends.
How he had encouraged me to stop keeping my mother's belongings.
How he had told me that holding you from the people who might have recognized the connection.""
I remembered how Marcus had reacted whenever I mentioned visiting old family friends.
How he had encouraged me to stop keeping my mother's belongings.
How he had told me that holding on to the past was unhealthy.
He hadn't been helping me move forward.
He had been removing the evidence.
David on to the past was unhealthy.
He hadn't been helping me move forward.
He had been removing the evidence.
David collected the documents.
"We need to preserve all of this immediately. No one should touch the original recordings or medical records without proper chain-of-custody documentation.""
Eleanor nodded.
"Do whatever is necessary.""
Marcus suddenly moved toward collected the documents.
"We need to preserve all of this immediately. No one should touch the original recordings or medical records without proper chain-of-custody documentation.""
Eleanor nodded.
"Do whatever is necessary.""
Marcus suddenly moved toward the door.
David's security officer stopped him.
"Sir, please wait.""
"Get out of my way.""
"Not until we have confirmation the door.
David's security officer stopped him.
"Sir, please wait.""
"Get out of my way.""
"Not until we have confirmation regarding the documents.""
Marcus looked at me.
"Claire, you don't understand what you're doing.""
I stared at him.
"I understand perfectly.""
"If this goes public, the company collapses. Thousands of people could lose regarding the documents.""
Marcus looked at me.
"Claire, you don't understand what you're doing.""
I stared at him.
"I understand perfectly.""
"If this goes public, the company collapses. Thousands of people could lose their jobs.""
"Then perhaps you should have thought about their jobs.""
"Then perhaps you should have thought about them before stealing money.""
"You're going to destroy your own child's inheritance!""
I looked at him.
"My child doesn't need stolen money.""
He shook his head.
"You'll regret this.""
Eleanor stepped forward.
"That is enough, them before stealing money.""
"You're going to destroy your own child's inheritance!""
I looked at him.
"My child doesn't need stolen money.""
He shook his head.
"You'll regret this.""
Eleanor stepped forward.
"That is enough, Marcus.""
He looked at his mother.
For a moment, he seemed genuinely confused.
Perhaps he still Marcus.""
He looked at his mother.
For a moment, he seemed genuinely confused.
Perhaps he still believed she would eventually choose him.
She didn't.
"You're no longer welcome in my home," Eleanor said.
Marcus stared at her.
Then he looked at the ledger.
And finally, he looked at me.
"You have no idea what Daniel will believed she would eventually choose him.
She didn't.
"You're no longer welcome in my home," Eleanor said.
Marcus stared at her.
Then he looked at the ledger.
And finally, he looked at me.
"You have no idea what Daniel will do when he learns you have that recording.""
Helen went pale.
"Daniel doesn't know about the recording.""
Marcus gave a bitter smile.
"Actually, he does.""
He pulled out his phone.
A message was displayed on the screen.
It had arrived moments earlier do when he learns you have that recording.""
Helen went pale.
"Daniel doesn't know about the recording.""
Marcus gave a bitter smile.
"Actually, he does.""
He pulled out his phone.
A message was displayed on the screen.
It had arrived moments earlier.
*THE WOMAN HAS SPOKEN. GET THE ORIGINAL BEFORE SHE HANDS IT OVER.*
I looked at Helen.
Her face had drained of color.
"Where did that come from?"" I asked.
Marcus turned the phone toward me.
"The person who sent it is standing outside.""
At that moment, the security system chimed.
Someone was at the front gate.
David looked toward the security monitor.
A black sedan had pulled into the driveway.
The driver's door opened.
A man stepped out.
Helen whispered:
"Daniel.""
But Daniel wasn't alone.
He opened the passenger door.
A second person.
*THE WOMAN HAS SPOKEN. GET THE ORIGINAL BEFORE SHE HANDS IT OVER.*
I looked at Helen.
Her face had drained of color.
"Where did that come from?"" I asked.
Marcus turned the phone toward me.
"The person who sent it is standing outside.""
At that moment, the security system chimed.
Someone was at the front gate.
David looked toward the security monitor.
A black sedan had pulled into the driveway.
The driver's door opened.
A man stepped out.
Helen whispered:
"Daniel.""
But Daniel wasn't alone.
He opened the passenger door.
A second person climbed out.
And when I saw who it was, I felt my entire body go cold.
It was the doctor who had signed my mother's death climbed out.
And when I saw who it was, I felt my entire body go cold.
It was the doctor who had signed my mother's death certificate.
Dr. Richard Coleman.
He was carrying a briefcase.
And he was looking directly at the house.
certificate.
Dr. Richard Coleman.
May you like
He was carrying a briefcase.
And he was looking directly at the house.
