Chapter 7 - THE BROTHER WHO CAME WITH A SMILE
Adrian finally arrived on Sunday afternoon.
He wore a cream-colored suit and an expensive watch.
He smiled as he entered my study.
"Damian."
I stood.
"Adrian."
He looked around.
"Still living like a king."
I didn't answer.
He sat without being invited.
"So. What's this about?"
I placed a photograph on the desk.
Marcus entering Blackstone Medical Logistics.
Adrian glanced at it.
Then laughed.
"Am I supposed to recognize something?"
"Your company."
He shrugged.
"One of my investments."
"Marcus visited three nights before someone substituted my medication."
Adrian's smile weakened.
"That's quite an accusation."
"It's a fact that he visited."
He leaned back.
"And?"
I placed another document beside it.
The delivery record.
"Blackstone handled the shipment."
Adrian looked at the paper.
Then at me.
"You're accusing me of trying to kill you?"
I stared.
"I'm asking why your company delivered a prescription bottle that didn't come from my pharmacy."
He stood.
"This is insane."
"Sit down."
He froze.
For a moment, we were boys again.
Our father at the head of the table.
Me giving orders.
Adrian hating every second.
He sat.
I looked at him.
"Why do you hate me?"
He laughed bitterly.
"Really?"
"Answer."
His eyes flashed.
"Because Dad gave you everything."
I shook my head.
"He gave me responsibility."
"He gave you power."
"And I tried to keep you out of danger."
Adrian leaned forward.
"You kept me out of the family."
The words struck.
For a moment, I saw the boy who'd followed me through the mansion.
The brother who'd wanted my approval.
Then I remembered the pills.
"Adrian," I said quietly, "if you had something to do with this, tell me now."
He stared.
Then smiled.
"You're getting sentimental."
I said nothing.
He stood.
"I didn't touch your medicine."
I watched him walk toward the door.
Then he turned.
"One more thing."
I waited.
He smiled.
"You should be careful who you trust, big brother."
The door closed.
May you like
And I realized he hadn't denied knowing about the substitution.
Only touching the medicine.
