Chapter 18: The Patient Who Wasn't Dead
Harris stared at his phone.
“Repeat that.””
The officer did.
“The file lists Rachel Mitchell as an active patient. There are medical notes phone.
“Repeat that.””
The officer did.
“The file lists Rachel Mitchell as an active patient. There are medical notes from last week.””
Martin grabbed the detective's arm.
“That's a mistake.””
“I hope so.””
“Rachel was from last week.””
Martin grabbed the detective's arm.
“That's a mistake.””
“I hope so.””
“Rachel was cremated.””
Harris looked at him.
“Are you certain?””
Martin nodded.
“June attended the funeral. She saw the coffin.””
Harris turned toward Reed cremated.””
Harris looked at him.
“Are you certain?””
Martin nodded.
“June attended the funeral. She saw the coffin.””
Harris turned toward Reed.
“Could someone have created a false medical file using Rachel's identity?””
Reed nodded slowly.
“Absolutely. Especially if they had.
“Could someone have created a false medical file using Rachel's identity?””
Reed nodded slowly.
“Absolutely. Especially if they had access to her original hospital records.””
“Who had that access?””
“Richard. Me. And anyone Arthur access to her original hospital records.””
“Who had that access?””
“Richard. Me. And anyone Arthur authorized.””
Arthur laughed.
“You're all wasting your time.””
Harris turned.
“What do you know about this file?””
“Nothing.””
D authorized.””
Arthur laughed.
“You're all wasting your time.””
Harris turned.
“What do you know about this file?””
“Nothing.””
Derek looked at his father.
“You said she was gone.””
“She is.””
“Then why is there a patient file?””
Arthur's expression hardened.
“Becauseerek looked at his father.
“You said she was gone.””
“She is.””
“Then why is there a patient file?””
Arthur's expression hardened.
“Because people like your brother enjoy creating paperwork.””
Martin stepped closer.
“Did Rachel survive?””
Arthur looked at him.
“No.””
people like your brother enjoy creating paperwork.””
Martin stepped closer.
“Did Rachel survive?””
Arthur looked at him.
“No.””
“Then whose photograph is in that file?””
For the first time, Arthur hesitated.
H“Then whose photograph is in that file?””
For the first time, Arthur hesitated.
Harris noticed.
“Answer him.””
Arthur said nothing.
The detective immediately ordered officers to secure the medical facility and preserve everyarris noticed.
“Answer him.””
Arthur said nothing.
The detective immediately ordered officers to secure the medical facility and preserve every record.
Then he turned to Reed.
“Could Rachel have been kept alive after October twenty-six?””
Reed shook his head.
“I was record.
Then he turned to Reed.
“Could Rachel have been kept alive after October twenty-six?””
Reed shook his head.
“I was there when she stopped breathing.””
“Did you personally confirm her death?””
“I checked her pulse. I listened for a heartbeat.””
“And then?””
“I called there when she stopped breathing.””
“Did you personally confirm her death?””
“I checked her pulse. I listened for a heartbeat.””
“And then?””
“I called the time.””
“Did you perform a full examination?””
Reed hesitated.
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Richard told the time.””
“Did you perform a full examination?””
Reed hesitated.
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Richard told me the paperwork had already been arranged.””
Harris looked at Martin.
“That means the death certification may not be the only fraudulent me the paperwork had already been arranged.””
Harris looked at Martin.
“That means the death certification may not be the only fraudulent record.””
Martin's voice was barely audible.
“Then what happened to Rachel?””
Nobody answered.
The detective ordered Derek and Arthur transported record.””
Martin's voice was barely audible.
“Then what happened to Rachel?””
Nobody answered.
The detective ordered Derek and Arthur transported separately.
Reed was taken to a secure medical facility under police protection.
Before leaving, he approached Harris.
“There's something you need to separately.
Reed was taken to a secure medical facility under police protection.
Before leaving, he approached Harris.
“There's something you need to know about the photograph.””
“What?””
“The woman in it may not be Rachel.””
Harris frowned.
“Who else could it be?””
Reed looked down know about the photograph.””
“What?””
“The woman in it may not be Rachel.””
Harris frowned.
“Who else could it be?””
Reed looked down.
“Her sister.””
Martin stared at him.
“Rachel had no sister.””
Reed shook his head.
“Not a.
“Her sister.””
Martin stared at him.
“Rachel had no sister.””
Reed shook his head.
“Not a biological sister. A woman who looked almost exactly like her.””
Harris remembered Victoria's revelation about Vanessa's biological sister. A woman who looked almost exactly like her.””
Harris remembered Victoria's revelation about Vanessa's identical twin.
But this was different.
“Who was she?””
Reed swallowed.
“Her name was Eleanor.””
Martin's face identical twin.
But this was different.
“Who was she?””
Reed swallowed.
“Her name was Eleanor.””
Martin's face changed.
“Eleanor?””
“You know her?”” Harris asked.
Martin looked as if he had seen a ghost.
“She was Rachel's changed.
“Eleanor?””
“You know her?”” Harris asked.
Martin looked as if he had seen a ghost.
“She was Rachel's closest friend before she married Derek. They lost contact years ago.””
“Why?””
Martin shook his head.
“I don't know. Rachel never closest friend before she married Derek. They lost contact years ago.””
“Why?””
Martin shook his head.
“I don't know. Rachel never spoke about her after the wedding.””
Reed looked toward the detective.
“Arthur used her identity spoke about her after the wedding.””
Reed looked toward the detective.
“Arthur used her identity in another insurance case. He told me she had died.””
Harris's in another insurance case. He told me she had died.””
Harris's eyes narrowed.
“Another fake death?””
Reed nodded.
“I believe so.””
The detective called the medical facility.
“Secure every room. We may eyes narrowed.
“Another fake death?””
Reed nodded.
“I believe so.””
The detective called the medical facility.
“Secure every room. We may have another victim.””
Then he turned to Martin.
“Do you know where Eleanor might be?””
Martin shook his head.
“No.””
A message arrived on have another victim.””
Then he turned to Martin.
“Do you know where Eleanor might be?””
Martin shook his head.
“No.””
A message arrived on Harris's phone.
It contained a photograph taken inside the medical facility.
A hospital bed.
A woman lying beneath a white Harris's phone.
It contained a photograph taken inside the medical facility.
A hospital bed.
A woman lying beneath a white blanket.
Her face was turned toward the camera.
Martin stared at it.
“That's Eleanor.””
Harris zoomed in.
The blanket.
Her face was turned toward the camera.
Martin stared at it.
“That's Eleanor.””
Harris zoomed in.
The woman looked older than the photograph in Martin's memory, but there was no doubt.
Then another message arrived.
*Patient found alive. Unable to speak woman looked older than the photograph in Martin's memory, but there was no doubt.
Then another message arrived.
Patient found alive. Unable to speak. Possible long-term sedation.
Harris immediately ordered a medical team to remain with her.
Martin sat. Possible long-term sedation.*
Harris immediately ordered a medical team to remain with her.
Martin sat down heavily.
“Rachel knew.””
“What?””
“She knew Eleanor hadn't died.””
Harris looked at down heavily.
“Rachel knew.””
“What?””
“She knew Eleanor hadn't died.””
Harris looked at him.
“Why do you say that?””
Martin reached into his folder and removed a copy of one of Rachel's letters.
He had carried him.
“Why do you say that?””
Martin reached into his folder and removed a copy of one of Rachel's letters.
He had carried it for months without understanding its significance.
The final paragraph read:
*If the worst happens, look for the woman who remembers the it for months without understanding its significance.
The final paragraph read:
If the worst happens, look for the woman who remembers the winter before my wedding. She knows what Arthur did, and she knows why I couldn't tell anyone.
Martin looked up.
“ winter before my wedding. She knows what Arthur did, and she knows why I couldn't tell anyone.*
Martin looked up.
“Eleanor was there the winter before Rachel married Derek.””
Harris studied the letter.
“ThenEleanor was there the winter before Rachel married Derek.””
Harris studied the letter.
“Then we need to find out what she remembers.””
The detective left immediately.
Hank remained behind at the depot, waiting for the officers to finish processing the evidence.
He called June.
She we need to find out what she remembers.””
The detective left immediately.
Hank remained behind at the depot, waiting for the officers to finish processing the evidence.
He called June.
She answered on the first ring.
“Is everything all right?””
“Eli okay?””
“He's asleep answered on the first ring.
“Is everything all right?””
“Eli okay?””
“He's asleep. Vanessa is with Lily at the hospital. What happened?””
Hank hesitated.
“There's another development.””
June's voice tightened.
“What now?””
“Police found evidence. Vanessa is with Lily at the hospital. What happened?””
Hank hesitated.
“There's another development.””
June's voice tightened.
“What now?””
“Police found evidence of another woman being held at a medical facility. Her name is Eleanor.””
June was quiet.
“Rachel knew her?””
“Apparently.””
“Is of another woman being held at a medical facility. Her name is Eleanor.””
June was quiet.
“Rachel knew her?””
“Apparently.””
“Is she alive?””
“Yes.””
June exhaled shakily.
“Then perhaps she can tell us what happened.””
Hank looked toward the railway tracks.
“That's what we're hoping.””
He returned to the secure residence shortly after she alive?””
“Yes.””
June exhaled shakily.
“Then perhaps she can tell us what happened.””
Hank looked toward the railway tracks.
“That's what we're hoping.””
He returned to the secure residence shortly after two in the morning.
June was sitting beside Eli's bed.
The boy was awake.
“Is my dad in trouble?””
Hank stopped in the doorway.
“Which one?””
Eli looked confused.
“D two in the morning.
June was sitting beside Eli's bed.
The boy was awake.
“Is my dad in trouble?””
Hank stopped in the doorway.
“Which one?””
Eli looked confused.
“Derek.””
Hank sat beside him.
“Yes. The police have him.””
“Will he come back?””
“No. Not tonighterek.””
Hank sat beside him.
“Yes. The police have him.””
“Will he come back?””
“No. Not tonight.””
Eli looked down at his blanket.
“Will he be angry?””
Hank shook his head.
“That's not something you need to worry about anymore.””
Eli was quiet for a moment.
Then he asked:
.””
Eli looked down at his blanket.
“Will he be angry?””
Hank shook his head.
“That's not something you need to worry about anymore.””
Eli was quiet for a moment.
Then he asked:
“Did you find out what happened to Mom?””
Hank looked toward June.
She sat on the other side of the bed.
“We“Did you find out what happened to Mom?””
Hank looked toward June.
She sat on the other side of the bed.
“We're getting closer,” she said.
Eli nodded.
“Can I ask something?””
“Anything,” June replied.
“Was're getting closer,” she said.
Eli nodded.
“Can I ask something?””
“Anything,” June replied.
“Was Mom scared?””
June's eyes filled.
“Sometimes.””
“Did she know I was scared too?””
June brushed his hair back Mom scared?””
June's eyes filled.
“Sometimes.””
“Did she know I was scared too?””
June brushed his hair back.
“I think she knew you needed her.””
Eli looked at the ceiling.
“I tried to be good so.
“I think she knew you needed her.””
Eli looked at the ceiling.
“I tried to be good so Dad wouldn't get mad.””
Hank's expression softened.
“Buddy, you never had to earn kindness.””
E Dad wouldn't get mad.””
Hank's expression softened.
“Buddy, you never had to earn kindness.””
Eli turned toward him.
“Even when I did something wrong?””
“Especially then.””
The boy swallowed.
“Mom used to say that.””
June kissed his forehead.
“Sheli turned toward him.
“Even when I did something wrong?””
“Especially then.””
The boy swallowed.
“Mom used to say that.””
June kissed his forehead.
“She was right.””
Eli slowly closed his eyes.
Hank stepped into the hallway with June.
“There's was right.””
Eli slowly closed his eyes.
Hank stepped into the hallway with June.
“There's something else,” he said.
“What?””
“The police found evidence that Richard used a second identity. They also something else,” he said.
“What?””
“The police found evidence that Richard used a second identity. They also found a woman named Eleanor who may know what happened before Rachel died.””
June frowned.
“Why would Rachel found a woman named Eleanor who may know what happened before Rachel died.””
June frowned.
“Why would Rachel mention her?””
“We don't know yet.””
June looked back toward Eli's room.
“Then we have to find out.””
At mention her?””
“We don't know yet.””
June looked back toward Eli's room.
“Then we have to find out.””
At that moment, her phone rang.
The number was unknown.
She answered cautiously.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice whispered.
“June Mitchell?””
“Yes. Who is this?””
that moment, her phone rang.
The number was unknown.
She answered cautiously.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice whispered.
“June Mitchell?””
“Yes. Who is this?””
“My name is Eleanor.””
June's heart began racing.
“Where are you?””
“I'm at the hospital. The police found me.””
“Are you safe?””
A long silence.
Then Eleanor whispered:
“No.””
“My name is Eleanor.””
June's heart began racing.
“Where are you?””
“I'm at the hospital. The police found me.””
“Are you safe?””
A long silence.
Then Eleanor whispered:
“No.””
June gripped the phone.
“What do you mean?””
“They think Arthur is in custody.June gripped the phone.
“What do you mean?””
“They think Arthur is in custody. But he isn't the man you need to fear.””
“Who is?””
Eleanor's voice trembled.
“The person who arranged Rachel's death wasn't Arthur.””
June felt the But he isn't the man you need to fear.””
“Who is?””
Eleanor's voice trembled.
“The person who arranged Rachel's death wasn't Arthur.””
June felt the room tilt.
“Then who?””
Eleanor took a shaky breath.
“Rachel found out the truth about Derek's family room tilt.
“Then who?””
Eleanor took a shaky breath.
“Rachel found out the truth about Derek's family. She discovered that the man who raised him wasn't his biological father.””
June said nothing.
Eleanor continued.
“. She discovered that the man who raised him wasn't his biological father.””
June said nothing.
Eleanor continued.
“Arthur had been using someone else's identity for twenty years. But the real Arthur Mitchell died longArthur had been using someone else's identity for twenty years. But the real Arthur Mitchell died long before the boating accident.””
“Then who is the man the police arrested?””
Eleanor's answer came in a whisper.
“ before the boating accident.””
“Then who is the man the police arrested?””
Eleanor's answer came in a whisper.
“His name is Richard Mitchell.””
June's blood ran cold.
“That doesn't make sense. Richard is Derek's brother.””
“No,” EleanorHis name is Richard Mitchell.””
June's blood ran cold.
“That doesn't make sense. Richard is Derek's brother.””
“No,” Eleanor said.
“Richard is the man who took their father's identity.””
June struggled to breathe said.
“Richard is the man who took their father's identity.””
June struggled to breathe.
“Then where is the real Richard?””
Eleanor began crying.
“That's what Rachel tried to tell me.””
A noise.
“Then where is the real Richard?””
Eleanor began crying.
“That's what Rachel tried to tell me.””
A noise sounded in the background.
A door opening.
Then a man's voice.
“Eleanor?””
The woman on sounded in the background.
A door opening.
Then a man's voice.
“Eleanor?””
The woman on the phone gasped.
June stood.
“Eleanor? What's happening?””
The voice came again the phone gasped.
June stood.
“Eleanor? What's happening?””
The voice came again, closer this time.
“Give me the phone.””
Eleanor whispered one final sentence.
“June, don't let Eli, closer this time.
“Give me the phone.””
Eleanor whispered one final sentence.
“June, don't let Eli see the family photograph.””
The call ended.
June stared at the phone.
Then she heard footsteps behind her.
Hank had see the family photograph.””
The call ended.
June stared at the phone.
Then she heard footsteps behind her.
Hank had returned to the hallway.
“What happened?””
June slowly looked up.
“Eleanor called.””
“What did she say?””
June's returned to the hallway.
“What happened?””
June slowly looked up.
“Eleanor called.””
“What did she say?””
June's voice trembled.
“She said the man the police arrested isn't Arthur Mitchell.””
Hank frowned.
“Then who is he?””
June voice trembled.
“She said the man the police arrested isn't Arthur Mitchell.””
Hank frowned.
“Then who is he?””
June looked toward Eli's bedroom.
“Richard.””
And from inside the room, Eli suddenly screamed.
“GR looked toward Eli's bedroom.
“Richard.””
And from inside the room, Eli suddenly screamed.
“GRANDMA! I FOUND THE PICTURE!””
Hank rushed past her.
On the bedANDMA! I FOUND THE PICTURE!””
Hank rushed past her.
On the bed, Eli was holding a photograph he had taken from June's bedside drawer.
It showed Rachel standing between two men.
One was Derek.
The other was the man the, Eli was holding a photograph he had taken from June's bedside drawer.
It showed Rachel standing between two men.
One was Derek.
The other was the man the police had arrested at the railway depot.
But the date written on the back was from twenty-five years earlier.
And beneath it, in Rachel's handwriting, police had arrested at the railway depot.
But the date written on the back was from twenty-five years earlier.
And beneath it, in Rachel's handwriting, were the words:
May you like
The real Richard is the one who never came home. were the words:
The real Richard is the one who never came home.
