Chapter 9: The Truth Bur## Chapter 9: The Truth Buried in the Hospital Records
Theied in the Hospital Records
The hospital record Rachel had brought into our kitchen was not the hospital record Rachel had brought into our kitchen was not the original.
Margaret discovered that within an hour.
She had requested certified copies of my original.
Margaret discovered that within an hour.
She had requested certified copies of my mother's medical records and the documents relating to the suspicious financial transfer from October, ten years earlier. The hospital confirmed that the highlighted mother's medical records and the documents relating to the suspicious financial transfer from October, ten years earlier. The hospital confirmed that the highlighted page Rachel had shown us was incomplete.
Several paragraphs had been omitted.
One signature had been cropped page Rachel had shown us was incomplete.
Several paragraphs had been omitted.
One signature had been cropped out.
And a handwritten note appeared on the original that wasn't visible in Rachel's photocopy.
Margaret spread the documents across her conference out.
And a handwritten note appeared on the original that wasn't visible in Rachel's photocopy.
Margaret spread the documents across her conference table.
“Whoever prepared Rachel's copy removed information that changes the context,” she said.
Dad leaned forward.
“What information table.
“Whoever prepared Rachel's copy removed information that changes the context,” she said.
Dad leaned forward.
“What information?””
She pointed to the handwritten note.
*Patient states brother Thomas Reed attempted to obtain financial authorization without her?””
She pointed to the handwritten note.
Patient states brother Thomas Reed attempted to obtain financial authorization without her consent. Patient requests that all future discussions concerning estate matters take place with her attorney present.
I stared at the words.
consent. Patient requests that all future discussions concerning estate matters take place with her attorney present.*
I stared at the words.
Mom hadn't simply suspected Thomas.
She had explicitly refused to authorize him.
Margaret continued reading.
“There'sMom hadn't simply suspected Thomas.
She had explicitly refused to authorize him.
Margaret continued reading.
“There's another entry from the following day. The hospital documented a request from a family member to obtain information about Elena's condition another entry from the following day. The hospital documented a request from a family member to obtain information about Elena's condition.””
“Who?”” I asked.
Margaret turned the page.
“The request was made by Thomas Reed.””
“Who?”” I asked.
Margaret turned the page.
“The request was made by Thomas Reed.””
Dad closed his eyes.
“He was still trying to get to her.””
“The hospital refused to.””
Dad closed his eyes.
“He was still trying to get to her.””
“The hospital refused to release the information because Elena had restricted access to her records.””
I looked at the next page.
A second request release the information because Elena had restricted access to her records.””
I looked at the next page.
A second request had been made two days later.
This time, it came from someone else.
Rachel Parker.
My stomach dropped.
“Rachel wasn't married had been made two days later.
This time, it came from someone else.
Rachel Parker.
My stomach dropped.
“Rachel wasn't married to Dad then,” I said.
“No,” Dad replied slowly.
“We met nearly two years after Elena died to Dad then,” I said.
“No,” Dad replied slowly.
“We met nearly two years after Elena died.””
Margaret examined the entry.
“Rachel was listed as an acquaintance of Thomas Reed. The hospital declined to.””
Margaret examined the entry.
“Rachel was listed as an acquaintance of Thomas Reed. The hospital declined to provide information.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Rachel had known Thomas long before she entered our family.
All those years, I'd thought she'd met my father through provide information.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Rachel had known Thomas long before she entered our family.
All those years, I'd thought she'd met my father through mutual friends at a charity event. She'd told us she had admired him from a distance because he was a devoted single father.
She had said she wanted to help us heal.
Now I wondered mutual friends at a charity event. She'd told us she had admired him from a distance because he was a devoted single father.
She had said she wanted to help us heal.
Now I wondered whether our grief had been the reason she'd approached us at all.
“Dad,” I whispered.
“How did you meet Rachel?””
He stared at whether our grief had been the reason she'd approached us at all.
“Dad,” I whispered.
“How did you meet Rachel?””
He stared at the paperwork.
“At a fundraising dinner. She was helping organize the event. She said she'd heard about Elena's illness the paperwork.
“At a fundraising dinner. She was helping organize the event. She said she'd heard about Elena's illness through a mutual acquaintance.””
“Did she know Thomas?””
“Not that she told me.””
Margaret made another through a mutual acquaintance.””
“Did she know Thomas?””
“Not that she told me.””
Margaret made another note.
“Do you remember the acquaintance's name?””
Dad shook his head.
“No. It was a long time ago.””
I studied the hospital record note.
“Do you remember the acquaintance's name?””
Dad shook his head.
“No. It was a long time ago.””
I studied the hospital record.
“Can we prove she was connected to Thomas before she married Dad?””
“We can investigate the records, but we need more than a hospital.
“Can we prove she was connected to Thomas before she married Dad?””
“We can investigate the records, but we need more than a hospital entry,” Margaret said.
“We should establish whether they communicated about Elena's estate during that entry,” Margaret said.
“We should establish whether they communicated about Elena's estate during that period.””
Dad leaned back.
“I never imagined Rachel could have known about the inheritance before we married.””
I period.””
Dad leaned back.
“I never imagined Rachel could have known about the inheritance before we married.””
I thought about the questions she'd asked over the years.
Whether Mom had owned the lake house outright.
Whether Dad thought about the questions she'd asked over the years.
Whether Mom had owned the lake house outright.
Whether Dad had ever considered selling the building.
Whether I would inherit everything when I turned twenty-one.
I'd always assumed she was curious about family finances.
Now each had ever considered selling the building.
Whether I would inherit everything when I turned twenty-one.
I'd always assumed she was curious about family finances.
Now each memory felt like a small piece of a picture I hadn't wanted to see.
Margaret gathered the documents.
“I've memory felt like a small piece of a picture I hadn't wanted to see.
Margaret gathered the documents.
“I've requested records from the trustee, the property company, and the attorney who submitted the disputed authorization. We may be able to establish when the plan began.””
I looked at the cropped hospital requested records from the trustee, the property company, and the attorney who submitted the disputed authorization. We may be able to establish when the plan began.””
I looked at the cropped hospital record.
“But why would Thomas use Mom's name if he knew the trust protected me?””
“Because he may record.
“But why would Thomas use Mom's name if he knew the trust protected me?””
“Because he may have believed he could make the transaction look like something your mother had already approved,” Margaret replied.
“Or because he had have believed he could make the transaction look like something your mother had already approved,” Margaret replied.
“Or because he had access to documents that he thought would support that claim.””
Dad stared at the table.
“There's something I access to documents that he thought would support that claim.””
Dad stared at the table.
“There's something I haven't told you.””
I turned toward him.
He took a folded envelope from his jacket.
“I found this among Elena haven't told you.””
I turned toward him.
He took a folded envelope from his jacket.
“I found this among Elena's papers years ago. I never opened it because it was addressed to Thomas.””
Margaret looked up sharply.
“Where has it been?””
“In my study, inside's papers years ago. I never opened it because it was addressed to Thomas.””
Margaret looked up sharply.
“Where has it been?””
“In my study, inside a box with the old bank records.””
“Why didn't you mention it earlier?””
“Because I didn't think it mattered. I thought Elena had written it during a box with the old bank records.””
“Why didn't you mention it earlier?””
“Because I didn't think it mattered. I thought Elena had written it during their argument.””
He handed it to Margaret.
The envelope was yellowed at the edges. My mother's handwriting appeared across the front.
their argument.””
He handed it to Margaret.
The envelope was yellowed at the edges. My mother's handwriting appeared across the front.
Thomas Reed — Personal.
Margaret carefully examined the seal.
“It's unopened.””
Dad nodded.
“I never wanted to invade theirThomas Reed — Personal.
Margaret carefully examined the seal.
“It's unopened.””
Dad nodded.
“I never wanted to invade their privacy. But after seeing what Rachel brought into the house, I think we need to know what Elena was trying to say.””
Margaret opened the envelope privacy. But after seeing what Rachel brought into the house, I think we need to know what Elena was trying to say.””
Margaret opened the envelope in front of us.
Inside was a letter dated October 14, ten years earlier.
She read it aloud.
Thomas,
* in front of us.
Inside was a letter dated October 14, ten years earlier.
She read it aloud.
Thomas,
I have tried to believe that this disagreement is about money, pride, or the resentmentI have tried to believe that this disagreement is about money, pride, or the resentment you have carried since our parents died. But your recent actions have convinced me that the problem is more serious.
You have asked me to authorize transactions I do you have carried since our parents died. But your recent actions have convinced me that the problem is more serious.
*You have asked me to authorize transactions I do not understand. You have contacted my bank without my permission. You have told me that if I refuse to cooperate, you will make sure Claire loses the future I have worked not understand.
You have contacted my bank without my permission. You have told me that if I refuse to cooperate, you will make sure Claire loses the future I have worked to secure for her.*
Dad's hand tightened around the edge of the table.
Margaret continued.
I will not give you control of my daughter's inheritance. I will not sign away her to secure for her.
Dad's hand tightened around the edge of the table.
Margaret continued.
I will not give you control of my daughter's inheritance. I will not sign away her security to settle a debt I did not create.
If you truly care about me, stop security to settle a debt I did not create.
If you truly care about me, stop trying to turn my love for you into an obligation to rescue trying to turn my love for you into an obligation to rescue you.
I am giving you one final opportunity to explain what you have done. If you refuse, I will provide my attorney with the evidence I have collected.
Elena.
The room you.*
I am giving you one final opportunity to explain what you have done. If you refuse, I will provide my attorney with the evidence I have collected.
Elena.
The room was silent.
I read the letter again.
Mom had known.
She had known her brother was trying to access her money. She had known he was press was silent.
I read the letter again.
Mom had known.
She had known her brother was trying to access her money. She had known he was pressuring her to give up control of the assets she'd left for me.
And she'd confronted him.
“What's the evidence she mentioned?”” I asked.
Daduring her to give up control of the assets she'd left for me.
And she'd confronted him.
“What's the evidence she mentioned?”” I asked.
Dad looked toward the metal box he had brought from his study.
“I don't know.””
Margaret tapped the final looked toward the metal box he had brought from his study.
“I don't know.””
Margaret tapped the final paragraph.
“Your mother may have kept copies of the bank correspondence, emails, or other communications. We should search the remaining records carefully.””
Dad nodded.
“I paragraph.
“Your mother may have kept copies of the bank correspondence, emails, or other communications. We should search the remaining records carefully.””
Dad nodded.
“I'll bring everything to your office.””
I stared at the letter.
“Why didn't Thomas simply disappear after she died'll bring everything to your office.””
I stared at the letter.
“Why didn't Thomas simply disappear after she died? Why come back now?””
Margaret answered cautiously.
“Perhaps he believed he had another? Why come back now?””
Margaret answered cautiously.
“Perhaps he believed he had another opportunity. Perhaps he needed money. Or perhaps he learned that the property had increased in value and thought the risk opportunity.
Perhaps he needed money. Or perhaps he learned that the property had increased in value and thought the risk was worth taking.””
“But why involve Rachel?””
“That is the question we need to answer.””
My phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from Mia.
**Please come home. Mom wants was worth taking.””
“But why involve Rachel?””
“That is the question we need to answer.””
My phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from Mia.
*Please come home. Mom wants to talk to us. She says she's ready to explain everything.*
I showed it to Dad.
He shook his head.
“You don't have to go.””
“I know.””
“But if you do, don't to talk to us. She says she's ready to explain everything.**
I showed it to Dad.
He shook his head.
“You don't have to go.””
“I know.””
“But if you do, don't go alone.””
We returned home together.
Rachel was waiting in the living room. She had changed into a go alone.””
We returned home together.
Rachel was waiting in the living room. She had changed into a black dress, and her pearl bracelet lay on the coffee table beside a stack of papers.
Mia sat on the far end of the sofa, black dress, and her pearl bracelet lay on the coffee table beside a stack of papers.
Mia sat on the far end of the sofa, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Rachel stood when we entered.
“I assume you've discovered that her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Rachel stood when we entered.
“I assume you've discovered that I knew Thomas before I married Daniel.””
Dad's expression hardened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I knew you'd I knew Thomas before I married Daniel.””
Dad's expression hardened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I knew you'd misunderstand.””
“You were connected to him while he was trying to access Elena's accounts.””
“I never helped him with that misunderstand.””
“You were connected to him while he was trying to access Elena's accounts.””
“I never helped him with that.””
“You requested information about Elena's medical condition.””
Rachel looked at me.
“I was trying to understand what had happened.””
“Why.””
“You requested information about Elena's medical condition.””
Rachel looked at me.
“I was trying to understand what had happened.””
“Why?”” I asked.
She hesitated.
Then she sat down.
“Thomas told me that Elena had accused him of stealing from her. He insisted she was confused?”” I asked.
She hesitated.
Then she sat down.
“Thomas told me that Elena had accused him of stealing from her. He insisted she was confused and that Daniel had turned the family against him.””
“And you believed him?””
“I wanted to.””
“Why?””
Rachel looked toward and that Daniel had turned the family against him.””
“And you believed him?””
“I wanted to.””
“Why?””
Rachel looked toward Mia.
“Because I was in love with him.””
I stared at her.
For a moment, I couldn't understand the words.
Dad Mia.
“Because I was in love with him.””
I stared at her.
For a moment, I couldn't understand the words.
Dad took a step forward.
“What?””
Rachel's face crumpled.
“Before I met you, Daniel, took a step forward.
“What?””
Rachel's face crumpled.
“Before I met you, Daniel, Thomas and I were together.””
The room seemed to shrink around us.
Mia stared at her mother.
“You were dating Thomas and I were together.””
The room seemed to shrink around us.
Mia stared at her mother.
“You were dating Uncle Thomas?””
Rachel nodded.
“It was a long time ago. We were engaged briefly.””
Dad looked genuinely stunned.
“You told Uncle Thomas?””
Rachel nodded.
“It was a long time ago. We were engaged briefly.””
Dad looked genuinely stunned.
“You told me you'd never met him.””
“I was ashamed.””
“Of what?””
“Of how it ended.””
Rachel wiped me you'd never met him.””
“I was ashamed.””
“Of what?””
“Of how it ended.””
Rachel wiped her eyes.
“Thomas was charming when we first met. He promised me a life that would never be controlled by money. Then I discovered he'd borrowed money from people he couldn't repay her eyes.
“Thomas was charming when we first met. He promised me a life that would never be controlled by money. Then I discovered he'd borrowed money from people he couldn't repay. He said he was investing in a business, but the business collapsed.””
“And you left him,” Dad said.
“Yes. He said he was investing in a business, but the business collapsed.””
“And you left him,” Dad said.
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Several months before Elena died.””
I remembered the email.
The one in.””
“When?””
“Several months before Elena died.””
I remembered the email.
The one in which Thomas had promised Rachel three hundred thousand dollars.
“You left him because he had debts,” I said.
“Then you married Dad, who had a which Thomas had promised Rachel three hundred thousand dollars.
“You left him because he had debts,” I said.
“Then you married Dad, who had a stable life.””
Rachel looked at me.
“I married Daniel because I loved him.””
“Did you know about Mom stable life.””
Rachel looked at me.
“I married Daniel because I loved him.””
“Did you know about Mom's inheritance before you married him?””
She didn't answer.
Dad's voice dropped.
“Rachel.””
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
Mia stood.
“You knew?””
Rachel looked up's inheritance before you married him?””
She didn't answer.
Dad's voice dropped.
“Rachel.””
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
Mia stood.
“You knew?””
Rachel looked up at her daughter.
“Thomas told me about the property. He said Elena had left a substantial trust for Claire. He also said Daniel would never let me or you benefit at her daughter.
“Thomas told me about the property. He said Elena had left a substantial trust for Claire. He also said Daniel would never let me or you benefit from it.””
“Because it wasn't ours,” I replied.
Rachel flinched.
“I didn't think of it that way at first.””
“How from it.””
“Because it wasn't ours,” I replied.
Rachel flinched.
“I didn't think of it that way at first.””
“How did you think of it?””
She looked down at the papers.
“Thomas told me he could recover money he believed Elena had unfairly kept from him. He said that if the property were sold, he could did you think of it?””
She looked down at the papers.
“Thomas told me he could recover money he believed Elena had unfairly kept from him. He said that if the property were sold, he could settle his debts, pay me what he owed, and leave enough for everyone else.””
Dad stared at her.
“You were going to help him take my daughter's inheritance because you believed he owed you money?””
“I thought I could finally get back what I'd lost.””
There it was.
The real reason.
Rachel hadn't begun this scheme because Mia needed an apartment.
She hadn't begun it because she wanted to protect our family.
She had seen an opportunity to recover a debt from the man who had once promised her everything.
And she'd been willing to use me to do it.
Mia was crying openly now.
“You burned Claire's life apart for money you thought Thomas owed you?””
Rachel looked at her daughter desperately.
“I didn't burn her dress.””
settle his debts, pay me what he owed, and leave enough for everyone else.””
Dad stared at her.
“You were going to help him take my daughter's inheritance because you believed he owed you money?””
“I thought I could finally get back what I'd lost.””
There it was.
The real reason.
Rachel hadn't begun this scheme because Mia needed an apartment.
She hadn't begun it because she wanted to protect our family.
She had seen an opportunity to recover a debt from the man who had once promised her everything.
And she'd been willing to use me to do it.
Mia was crying openly now.
“You burned Claire's life apart for money you thought Thomas owed you?””
Rachel looked at her daughter desperately.
“I didn't burn her dress.””
“You defended me when I did,” Mia whispered.
“You told me she was trying to ruin our family. You made me“You defended me when I did,” Mia whispered.
“You told me she was trying to ruin our family. You made me believe she deserved it.””
Rachel reached for her.
Mia moved away.
Dad stood beside me.
“Why did you believe she deserved it.””
Rachel reached for her.
Mia moved away.
Dad stood beside me.
“Why did you marry me, Rachel?””
She looked at him through her tears.
“Because I loved you.””
“Did you ever intend to tell me about Thomas marry me, Rachel?””
She looked at him through her tears.
“Because I loved you.””
“Did you ever intend to tell me about Thomas?””
“I thought I could leave the past behind.””
“But you brought it into our home.””
Rachel nodded.
“And when he?””
“I thought I could leave the past behind.””
“But you brought it into our home.””
Rachel nodded.
“And when he contacted you again, you agreed to help him.””
“I thought he was telling the truth about the property.””
contacted you again, you agreed to help him.””
“I thought he was telling the truth about the property.””
“You knew Elena had refused him.””
“I thought she had changed her mind.””
“Then why forge documents?””
Rachel covered her“You knew Elena had refused him.””
“I thought she had changed her mind.””
“Then why forge documents?””
Rachel covered her face.
“I didn't create the signature.””
Dad went still.
“What?””
“Thomas sent me the face.
“I didn't create the signature.””
Dad went still.
“What?””
“Thomas sent me the documents. He told me everything had been approved. He said I only needed to get Claire's confirmation and documents.
He told me everything had been approved. He said I only needed to get Claire's confirmation and submit the supporting paperwork.””
“You knew Claire hadn't agreed.””
“I thought if she signed the authorization submit the supporting paperwork.””
“You knew Claire hadn't agreed.””
“I thought if she signed the authorization, everything would become legitimate.””
“That isn't how consent works,” I said.
Rachel looked at me.
For the first time, she seemed unable to defend herself.
M, everything would become legitimate.””
“That isn't how consent works,” I said.
Rachel looked at me.
For the first time, she seemed unable to defend herself.
Mia stood beside the sofa, trembling.
“Mom, did you know Thomas was going to use the recording?””
Rachel noddedia stood beside the sofa, trembling.
“Mom, did you know Thomas was going to use the recording?””
Rachel nodded faintly.
“I knew he wanted proof that Claire understood the arrangement.””
“You told him to record her?””
“I didn't faintly.
“I knew he wanted proof that Claire understood the arrangement.””
“You told him to record her?””
“I didn't tell him to record her secretly.””
“But you knew he had recordings.””
Rachel didn't answer.
Dad took a tell him to record her secretly.””
“But you knew he had recordings.””
Rachel didn't answer.
Dad took a step toward the door.
“I'm done.””
Rachel rushed after him.
“Daniel, please. Don't leave step toward the door.
“I'm done.””
Rachel rushed after him.
“Daniel, please. Don't leave me.””
He turned.
“I'm not leaving you. I'm asking you to leave this house until we can establish what happened.””
Her face went white.
“You can't throw me me.””
He turned.
“I'm not leaving you. I'm asking you to leave this house until we can establish what happened.””
Her face went white.
“You can't throw me out.””
“I can protect my daughter.””
Rachel stared at him, then at me.
“You've won, Claire out.””
“I can protect my daughter.””
Rachel stared at him, then at me.
“You've won, Claire.””
I shook my head.
“This was never a competition.””
“You have the inheritance. You have your father's loyalty..””
I shook my head.
“This was never a competition.””
“You have the inheritance. You have your father's loyalty. You have everything.””
“No,” I said.
“I have a mother who tried to protect me, a father who's finally You have everything.””
“No,” I said.
“I have a mother who tried to protect me, a father who's finally listening, and a family that may never look the same again.””
I paused.
“And I still don't have my graduation dress.””
Rachel lowered her eyes.
For the first time, she had no listening, and a family that may never look the same again.””
I paused.
“And I still don't have my graduation dress.””
Rachel lowered her eyes.
For the first time, she had no answer.
Then Mia spoke from behind us.
“Mom, there's something else you need to tell them.””
answer.
Then Mia spoke from behind us.
“Mom, there's something else you need to tell them.””
Rachel froze.
Mia held up her phone.
“I found another email from Thomas. It's dated last week.””
Rachel froze.
Mia held up her phone.
“I found another email from Thomas. It's dated last week.””
She read it aloud, her voice shaking.
*Once the transfer is complete, you need toShe read it aloud, her voice shaking.
Once the transfer is complete, you need to stop asking questions about October. Daniel must never discover who signed the original hospital authorization.
Dad turned slowly.
stop asking questions about October. Daniel must never discover who signed the original hospital authorization.*
Dad turned slowly.
“What hospital authorization?””
Rachel looked as if she might collapse.
Mia scrolled down.
Bene“What hospital authorization?””
Rachel looked as if she might collapse.
Mia scrolled down.
Beneath the email was an attachment.
A scanned document bearing my mother's name, a doctor's signature, and a date from the final forty-eightath the email was an attachment.
A scanned document bearing my mother's name, a doctor's signature, and a date from the final forty-eight hours of her life.
At the bottom was a handwritten notation identifying the person who had been authorized to access her medical information.
hours of her life.
At the bottom was a handwritten notation identifying the person who had been authorized to access her medical information.
I looked at the name.
Then I looked at my father.
He whispered, “That isn't possible.””
Because the personI looked at the name.
Then I looked at my father.
He whispered, “That isn't possible.””
Because the person who had supposedly signed the authorization wasn't Thomas.
It wasn't Rachel.
It was *Daniel Parker*.
And the date was the day before my who had supposedly signed the authorization wasn't Thomas.
It wasn't Rachel.
It was *Daniel Parker*.
May you like
And the date was the day before my mother died.
mother died.
