Chapter 5 - THE NURSE WHO REMEMBERED
The hospital's internal review identified the nurse who had processed Olivia's discharge. Her name was Melissa Grant.
She agreed to speak with Francesca and Olivia's independent attorney.
Melissa looked exhausted.
“I knew something was wrong,” she admitted. “Olivia wanted to stay. The doctor had recommended more monitoring. But Vanessa kept saying the family had arranged a private specialist.”
“Did she show you authorization?” Francesca asked.
“Yes. She had a document with Mr. Moretti's signature and a letter naming her as the family representative.”
“Did you verify either document?”
Melissa looked down.
“I called the number listed on the form. A woman answered and said she was from Mr. Moretti's office. She confirmed the instruction.”
Luca's jaw tightened.
“Who was the woman?”
“I don't know. She said her name was Angela.”
Daniel wrote it down.
Melissa continued.
“Vanessa told me Olivia would become distressed if her brother was contacted. She said he had asked the hospital not to call him unless it was an emergency.”
Olivia looked at her.
“I was asking for him. I told you I wanted to speak to Luca.”
“I know,” Melissa whispered. “I should have insisted.”
Francesca asked whether the call had been recorded.
The hospital administrator confirmed that the call had been routed through an external number and that the recording was being preserved.
A few hours later, the number was traced to a prepaid phone registered under a false identity. But investigators found that it had been purchased using a credit card connected to Peter Bellini, Vanessa's brother.
Luca leaned back.
“Peter again.”
Daniel nodded.
“It's the same company that received the money from Claire's case.”
Francesca looked up.
“Then we may be looking at a pattern. But we need to keep the cases separate until the evidence establishes a connection.”
May you like
Luca looked through the glass at his sister.
“Whatever it takes, my niece is not becoming another one of their transactions.”
