Chapter 7: The Doctor Who Never Treated Her
Detective Harris read the hospital report twice.
Then he placed it on June's dining table.
“Dr. Samuel Reed signed Rachel's final medical certification,” he said.
“But according to the hospital's records, he wasn't assigned to her case.””
June stared at the paperwork.
“Then why did he sign it?””
“That's what we're trying to establish.””
Hank leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Could he have been paid?””
“Possibly. But we need evidence.””
June looked toward the photograph of Rachel on the mantelpiece.
Her daughter was smiling, holding a birthday cake with one candle missing.
“She told me she wanted to see a specialist,” June whispered.
“Derek said the doctor wasn't accepting visitors.””
Detective Harris looked up.
“Which doctor?””
“Dr. Reed. I remember the name now. Derek said he was a friend of Richard's.””
Hank folded his arms.
“Convenient.””
The detective nodded.
“Very.””
Across the room, Eli sat quietly beside Boone, coloring in a notebook. He had barely touched his dinner.
Boone placed a fresh cookie beside him.
“Chocolate chip. My wife makes them.””
Eli looked up.
“Thank you.””
“Don't thank me. Just tell me if they're any good.””
Eli took a bite.
His expression softened.
“They're really good.””
Boone smiled.
“That's what I keep telling her.””
For a moment, the house felt almost normal.
Then Detective Harris's phone rang.
He stepped into the hallway.
“Detective Harris.””
A woman's voice answered.
“This is Melissa Grant from the hospital's compliance department. You requested the access records for Rachel Mitchell?””
“Yes.””
“We've located something concerning.””
“What?””
“Dr. Reed accessed Rachel's file several times after her death.””
Harris stopped walking.
“How many times?””
“Eleven.””
“Over what period?””
“Six months.””
“Did he change anything?””
There was a pause.
“Yes. Three entries were modified. One concerns her medication history. Another concerns the circumstances surrounding her final hospitalization.””
Harris lowered his voice.
“Can you preserve the original records?””
“We've already locked the file against further changes.””
“Good. I need the audit trail and the original entries.””
“There's something else,” Melissa added.
“What?””
“Dr. Reed wasn't the only person accessing the file.””
Harris waited.
“Someone used an administrator account assigned to the hospital's former medical director.””
“When?””
“Two nights ago.””
Harris looked through the doorway at June.
“Who was the former medical director?””
“Dr. Samuel Reed.””
The detective closed his eyes.
“Send me everything.””
When he returned to the dining room, Hank immediately noticed his expression.
“More trouble?””
“Much more.””
Harris explained what the hospital had discovered.
June slowly sat down.
“So somebody changed my daughter's records after she died?””
“That's what the audit trail suggests.””
“Why?””
“To conceal something. We don't know what yet.””
Eli stopped coloring.
“Dad said Mommy's papers were wrong.””
Everyone turned.
“What papers, sweetheart?”” June asked.
“The ones in the bedroom. He said if anybody asked, we had to say the doctors made mistakes.””
Harris crouched beside him.
“Did you see any papers?””
Eli nodded.
“Dad kept a folder in his desk.””
“Do you remember what was written on it?””
“Something about Mom's medicine.””
June's eyes widened.
“Derek's desk?””
Eli nodded.
“In the trailer?””
“No. At the repair shop.””
Hank straightened.
“Could there be more evidence there?””
“Very possibly,” Harris replied.
“But we'll need to obtain it legally.””
Eli hesitated.
“There's something else.””
“What is it?”” Hank asked.
“Dad kept a little key on his necklace.””
June frowned.
“What key?””
“A silver one. He said it opened something important.””
Hank exchanged a glance with the detective.
“Did you ever see what it opened?””
Eli shook his head.
But then he remembered something.
“Uncle Richard had the same key.””
Harris immediately wrote that down.
A few minutes later, an officer called from outside.
“Detective, Dr. Reed is here.””
Everyone turned toward the window.
A black sedan had stopped behind the patrol cars.
A tall, bald man wearing glasses stepped out.
He carried no medical bag this time.
Instead, he held a leather briefcase.
June recognized him immediately from the video.
Her hands began to shake.
“That's him.””
Detective Harris instructed the officers to meet the doctor outside.
Dr. Reed approached with a practiced smile.
“Detective. I understand there's been some confusion.””
“Dr. Reed, we'd like to ask you about your involvement in Rachel Mitchell's treatment.””
“Of course. I was a consultant.””
“Were you her treating physician?””
“Not officially.””
“Then why did you sign her death certification?””
The doctor's smile disappeared.
“I was asked to assist.””
“By whom?””
“Richard Mitchell.””
“Why?””
Dr. Reed glanced toward the house.
“Perhaps we should speak privately.””
“No. We can speak here.””
The doctor sighed.
“Rachel was terminally ill. Her family was under tremendous pressure.””
June stepped onto the porch.
“Then why did you tell my daughter she was going to sleep for a long time?””
Dr. Reed looked at her.
“Mrs. Mitchell, I don't believe we've met.””
“You met my daughter.””
“I treated many patients.””
“You told her son not to worry when she asked whether she would wake up.””
The doctor's expression hardened.
“That boy is confused.””
Hank took one step forward.
“Careful.””
Dr. Reed ignored him.
“Detective, I won't answer further questions without counsel.””
Harris nodded.
“That's your right.””
But before the doctor could leave, an officer approached with a document.
“Detective, the hospital just sent the original medication orders.””
Harris examined the first page.
Then the second.
His expression changed.
“Dr. Reed, I have one more question.””
The doctor stopped.
“Go ahead.””
“Why did you prescribe a medication to Rachel Mitchell that you knew she was allergic to?””
Dr. Reed's face lost its color.
June grabbed the porch railing.
“What?””
Harris held up the document.
“Her original medical records show a documented allergy. Your prescription was issued three days before her death.””
The doctor stared at the paper.
Then he looked at Richard's brother, who was sitting in a police vehicle down the street.
For the first time, Dr. Reed looked genuinely frightened.
May you like
And he whispered something nobody expected.
“Richard told me the family had already approved it.””
