Chapter 14: Room 309
Clint refused to let Rachel meet Laura alone.
After a heated argument, Rachel finally agreed to let him accompany her from a distance.
Martha insisted on coming too.
They met Laura at an upscale restaurant downtown.
She sat at a corner table, dressed in a black suit, with a glass of untouched water in front of her.
When Rachel approached, Laura smiled.
“My beautiful girl.””
Rachel didn't hug her.
“Tell me about Anna.””
Laura's smile faded.
“Sit down first.””
“No.””
Laura looked toward Clint.
“I asked for a private conversation.””
“You asked for my daughter,” Clint replied.
“You got me too.””
Laura sighed.
“Always the hero, aren't you?””
Clint pulled out a chair.
“Let's skip the performance.””
Rachel sat.
Martha remained standing behind her.
Laura looked at her mother-in-law.
“You look tired, Martha.””
“You kept my son from me while he was dying.””
Laura's face tightened.
“I did what I had to do.””
“You lied.””
“I protected my daughter.””
Martha leaned forward.
“From her own father?””
Laura looked at Rachel.
“Your father was becoming dangerous. He was making accusations against people who could ruin us.””
Rachel shook her head.
“He was protecting my money.””
“He was destroying our family!””
Rachel's voice broke.
“You destroyed it when you hid him from me.””
Laura stared at her daughter.
Then she reached into her purse and removed a photograph.
It showed Anna in a hospital bed.
She was pale, with an oxygen tube beneath her nose.
Rachel took it.
“Where was this taken?””
“Room 309.””
Clint leaned forward.
“What happened there?””
Laura looked at him.
“Anna was unstable. She was making threats. She wanted to take Emily away and tell everyone David was her father.””
Rachel stared.
“But he was her father.””
Laura's lips tightened.
“That's not the point.””
Martha stepped closer.
“It is exactly the point.””
Laura looked away.
“Anna had information David had given her. She threatened to release it.””
“What information?”” Clint asked.
“Financial documents. Medical records. Things she didn't understand.””
“Then why was she kept in a private hospital wing?””
Laura didn't answer.
Rachel placed the photograph on the table.
“Was she alive when you left the hospital?””
Laura's fingers tightened around her glass.
“Yes.””
“Did you know she would die?””
Laura looked up sharply.
“Don't be ridiculous.””
“Then why did you tell Uncle Thomas she was dead?””
Laura went silent.
Clint watched her carefully.
Then he noticed something.
Laura's right hand was trembling.
She wasn't angry anymore.
She was frightened.
Martha took a step forward.
“Tell us what happened.””
Laura finally spoke.
“Anna was supposed to leave the hospital. Caldwell arranged everything.””
“Where was she going?””
“I don't know.””
“You signed the paperwork.””
“I signed what I was told to sign.””
Clint's voice hardened.
“By whom?””
Laura looked toward the restaurant entrance.
For a moment, Martha thought she was about to run.
Then Laura whispered:
“Your sister.””
Martha froze.
“Susan?””
Laura nodded.
“She arranged the transfer.””
Martha stared at her.
“Why would Susan do that?””
Laura looked at Rachel.
“Because Anna had something that could put Susan in prison too.””
Rachel shook her head.
“What?””
Laura opened her purse again.
This time, she removed a folded sheet of paper.
It was a photocopy of an email.
The sender was Susan Lane.
The recipient was Dr. Caldwell.
The subject line read:
*ANNA MUST NOT SPEAK.*
The message contained only two sentences.
She has the original records. Move her before she contacts the police.
Martha felt her knees weaken.
Clint took the document.
“Where did you get this?””
“From Caldwell.””
“Why would he give it to you?””
Laura looked down.
“Because he wants me to take responsibility for everything.””
Rachel stood.
“You were all involved.””
Laura looked up.
“Rachel, you don't understand.””
“No. I understand perfectly. Dad was dying, and you were worried about money.””
Laura reached for her daughter's hand.
Rachel pulled away.
“Don't touch me.””
Martha looked at Laura.
“What happened to Anna?””
Laura stared at the table.
“I don't know.””
Clint slammed his palm against it.
“Enough!””
Several customers turned.
Laura flinched.
“I'm telling you the truth!””
“Then give us the name of the facility where she was transferred.””
Laura looked toward the window.
“St. Catherine's owned another property outside town. A private rehabilitation center.””
“What was it called?””
“Willow Creek.””
Clint took out his phone.
“Address?””
Laura hesitated.
“It's been closed for years.””
“Address.””
She finally gave it.
Rachel looked at her mother.
“Was Emily there?””
Laura nodded.
“For a while.””
Emily's name seemed to silence the entire table.
Martha sat down slowly.
“Why would you keep a child away from her mother?””
Laura began crying.
“I didn't have a choice.””
Rachel laughed bitterly.
“You always had a choice. You chose money.””
Laura leaned forward.
“Your father was going to leave me. He was going to take everything and give it to Anna and that child.””
“He was giving Emily what was hers.””
“He was going to leave you with nothing!””
Rachel stared at her mother.
Then she spoke quietly.
“Dad left me a trust.””
Laura looked away.
“And you stole it.””
Laura's face hardened.
“I borrowed it.””
“Without permission.””
“I was going to put it back.””
Rachel shook her head.
“You used me as an excuse.””
Laura reached into her purse and placed a small key on the table.
“This opens the storage room at Willow Creek.””
Clint picked it up.
“Why give it to us?””
Laura looked at Martha.
“Because Caldwell is planning to destroy whatever remains there.””
Martha stood.
“Why should we believe you?””
Laura's voice cracked.
“Because I received a call this morning.””
“From whom?””
“Caldwell.””
“What did he say?””
Laura stared at Rachel.
“He said the police had started asking questions about David's death.””
Then she whispered:
“He said if I didn't disappear, he'd make sure I was blamed for Anna's death too.””
Clint slipped the key into his pocket.
“We're going to Willow Creek.””
Laura stood.
“Wait.””
Martha turned.
Laura's eyes filled.
“There is something else you need to know about David.””
Martha felt her stomach tighten.
“What now?””
Laura swallowed.
“David knew about the private wing before the accident. He had discovered that Caldwell was keeping another patient there.””
“Who?””
Laura looked directly at Martha.
“His own mother.””
Martha stopped breathing.
“What?””
Laura continued.
“Your medical records were being used to access money from an account David had established in your name.””
Clint frowned.
“Why would Martha's records be involved?””
Laura's voice dropped.
“Because David had arranged for you to receive part of his estate. Caldwell wanted to make it look as though you were medically incapable of managing your finances.””
Martha stared at her.
“Are you saying someone tried to take my home?””
Laura nodded.
“And your savings.””
Martha's hands began shaking.
Clint looked at Laura.
“Who authorized it?””
Laura didn't answer.
May you like
Instead, she whispered:
“Susan.””
