The Doctor Who Signed Twice
Chapter 06 - The Doctor Who Signed Twice
Detective Torres traced the car used by the two men to a security company hired by Fairmont Institute. The institute claimed the guards were searching for Rosa because she had stolen medical records.
Ethan knew the explanation was a warning disguised as paperwork.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vale arranged for a second physician, Dr. Mara Collins, to evaluate Lily. Celeste’s attorneys insisted the appointment could not be delayed.
Mara arrived at Blackwood House carrying a tablet and a nervous expression. She asked Lily simple memory questions, then requested privacy with Ethan.
“The reports I received describe severe cognitive decline,” she said. “Your daughter does not match them.”
“Then write that.”
Mara glanced toward the hallway. “This case is not only medical.”
She revealed that Vale had promised to pay the debt on her clinic if she signed a declaration before Lily’s birthday. When she refused, he threatened to report an old billing mistake that could end her career.
Torres asked Mara to cooperate with the investigation. She agreed to record her next conversation with Vale.
That evening, Vale met Mara in the greenhouse. Ethan and Torres listened from a nearby service room.
“You do not need to examine the child again,” Vale said. “Sign the declaration and the trust will cover everything.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Rosa refused.”
Mara went silent.
Vale continued, “Celeste did not intend Anna’s death. The dosage was supposed to make her unreliable, not kill her. We will not repeat that mistake with Lily.”
Ethan nearly rushed into the greenhouse, but Torres stopped him. They needed Vale to reveal Rosa’s location.
Mara asked what would happen after the birthday.
“Lily goes to Fairmont. Celeste controls the trust. Rosa leaves the country with enough money to stay quiet.”
Vale gave Mara an address for an abandoned rehabilitation center outside town.
Police found Rosa locked inside an office there. She was dehydrated and frightened but alive. The guards had abandoned the building after the bakery visit drew attention.
Rosa carried a flash drive sewn into the lining of her coat.
It contained videos of Celeste changing Anna’s medication, Vale falsifying prescriptions, and accountants discussing payments from Lily’s trust.
But one clip created a new problem.
It showed Ethan signing a stack of documents beside Celeste.
His signature on the original guardianship consent was real.
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He had not known what he signed, but the law might still treat it as permission.
Celeste intended to use his failure against him—and she had scheduled an emergency custody hearing for the next morning.
