Chapter 12: The Records They Tried to Destroy
Daniel didn't waste a second.
He stepped into the hallway and called the hospital's legal department.
Richard remained beside Olivia.
His daughter was now sitting in one of the lobby chairs, holding a tissue.
I looked at him.
"Did you know she was trying to destroy those records?""
He shook his head.
"No.""
"Richard, this is serious.""
"I know.""
"Those records may prove what Rachel told us.""
"I know, Duke.""
He looked toward the front doors.
"I should have questioned Patricia years ago.""
I didn't answer.
There were too many things I wanted to say.
But none of them would help Olivia.
Instead, I walked toward her.
"Hey, kiddo.""
She looked up.
"Hi.""
"How about we get you some water?""
She nodded.
I took her to the reception desk.
The receptionist gave her a small paper cup.
Olivia held it with both hands.
"Thank you.""
"You're welcome.""
She took a sip.
Then she looked at me.
"Is Lily at home?""
"Yes.""
"Can I tell her something?""
"Of course.""
Olivia stared at the cup.
"Tell her I'm sorry.""
I crouched beside her.
"You can tell her yourself when you see her.""
She nodded.
Then she whispered, "I didn't want her to cry.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"I know.""
A few minutes later, Daniel returned.
His expression was serious.
"The hospital has confirmed the request.""
Richard stood.
"Was it approved?""
"No. Their legal department flagged it because the records are part of an active preservation request.""
I exhaled.
"Good.""
Daniel opened his briefcase.
"However, there's a problem.""
Richard frowned.
"What?""
"The request was submitted using the credentials of a former hospital administrator.""
I looked at him.
"Who?""
Daniel checked the printed confirmation.
"Dr. Michael Harlan.""
Richard frowned.
"I know that name.""
"Who is he?"" I asked.
"He was the medical director at St. Mary's when Olivia and Lily were born.""
Daniel nodded.
"His account was used to request the destruction of the records.""
I stared at the paper.
"Was he involved in the original incident?""
Richard looked uncomfortable.
"I don't know.""
Daniel continued.
"The hospital has temporarily frozen the relevant records and notified its compliance department.""
Rebecca approached.
"Does that mean the evidence is safe?""
"For now.""
Richard looked toward Olivia.
"Can we go somewhere private?""
We moved into Eleanor's office.
She closed the door.
Olivia sat beside her father.
Rebecca and Mara joined us.
Daniel placed the hospital confirmation on the desk.
"I want everyone to understand something. We cannot assume who accessed the account. The request could have been submitted by Dr. Harlan, someone acting on his behalf, or someone with unauthorized access.""
Richard nodded.
"Understood.""
I looked at him.
"Did Patricia know Dr. Harlan?""
Richard hesitated.
"Yes.""
"How well?""
"He was a family friend.""
Rebecca frowned.
"Emily's statement mentioned the medical director.""
Daniel looked up.
"Do you have that document?""
Rebecca opened the trust folder and removed Emily's signed statement.
She handed it over.
Daniel read silently.
Then he stopped.
"Interesting.""
I leaned forward.
"What?""
He turned the page.
"Emily stated that Dr. Harlan was present when Patricia asked her to alter the medication report.""
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"That's impossible.""
"Why?""
"Because Patricia told me the doctor had already reviewed the incident and found no wrongdoing.""
Daniel looked at him.
"According to this statement, Emily disputed that conclusion.""
Richard sat down.
His face was pale.
"Then she lied to me.""
Nobody responded.
Olivia tugged at his sleeve.
"Daddy?""
He looked down.
"Yes, sweetheart?""
"Are you mad at Mommy?""
Richard closed his eyes.
Then he took her hand.
"I'm upset about some things, but none of this is your fault.""
Olivia nodded.
She looked at me.
"Can I still dance?""
I smiled.
"Of course you can.""
"Even if Mommy says no?""
Richard answered before I could.
"Yes, sweetheart.""
She looked relieved.
Then she reached into her ballet bag and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"Daddy, I made this for Lily.""
She unfolded it.
It was a drawing of two little girls holding hands.
One wore a pink skirt.
The other wore a purple one.
Above them were the words:
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER.
Richard smiled sadly.
"That's beautiful.""
Olivia handed it to me.
"Can you give it to her?""
I accepted the drawing.
"I'll make sure she gets it.""
Then Daniel's phone rang.
He stepped toward the window.
"Daniel Foster.""
He listened.
His expression changed.
"You're certain?""
Another pause.
"Send me the document immediately.""
He ended the call.
Everyone looked at him.
"What happened?"" Rebecca asked.
Daniel slowly returned to the desk.
"The hospital located a second set of records.""
Richard frowned.
"What second set?""
"Emily had apparently requested copies of the original incident report before she died.""
Rebecca leaned forward.
"Where are they?""
"With the hospital's former records supervisor.""
I looked at Daniel.
"And?""
He hesitated.
"She's agreed to speak with us.""
"Good.""
"There's a complication.""
I sighed.
"Of course there is.""
Daniel looked at Richard.
"She says Dr. Harlan contacted her last month.""
Richard stood.
"Why?""
"To ask whether the original report still existed.""
Rebecca's face tightened.
"Did she tell him?""
"No.""
Daniel paused.
"She said she was afraid of what might happen if she refused.""
I stared at him.
"Did she explain why?""
Daniel nodded.
"Because Dr. Harlan told her that Emily Carter had not died in an ordinary accident.""
The room went silent.
Rebecca covered her mouth.
"What does that mean?""
Daniel looked at his notes.
"The supervisor says Dr. Harlan told her Emily had been involved in a serious investigation before her death.""
Richard shook his head.
"That's not possible. The police report said she lost control of her car.""
Daniel looked up.
"According to the supervisor, there was another report.""
I leaned forward.
"What report?""
"A preliminary investigation into possible vehicle tampering.""
Rebecca stood.
"Someone tampered with Emily's car?""
"We don't know. That's what the supervisor claims the original report contained.""
I looked at the photograph of Rachel holding the wooden box.
Then at the laptop, where her final recording was still saved.
The woman who had tried to protect Lily had died under circumstances nobody had properly explained.
And someone had been trying to erase the evidence ever since.
I took a breath.
"Where is the records supervisor?""
Daniel checked his phone.
"Her name is Helen Brooks. She's retired now. She lives outside the city.""
"Can we meet her?""
"She agreed to tomorrow morning.""
Richard looked at me.
"I'll come.""
I nodded.
"Good.""
Then Olivia spoke.
"Mr. Bear?""
I turned.
She was looking at the pink ribbon tied around my wrist.
"Yes, sweetheart?""
"Can you tell Lily I miss her?""
I smiled.
"I will.""
She hesitated.
"Can you also tell her I don't want to be a princess anymore?""
I crouched.
"Why not?""
She looked down.
"Because Mommy says princesses have to be perfect.""
My throat tightened.
I looked at Richard.
He was staring at the floor.
I turned back to Olivia.
"Who told you that?""
"Mommy.""
I gently touched her shoulder.
"Then maybe you should be something better.""
She tilted her head.
"Like what?""
I smiled.
"Be yourself.""
For the first time that afternoon, she laughed.
And I realized something.
Patricia had spent years teaching two little girls to compete for approval.
One was supposed to be perfect.
The other was supposed to disappear.
May you like
But tomorrow, we were going to find out what happened to the woman who refused to let that happen.
And I had a feeling the truth would be far worse than anything we'd discovered so far.
