Chapter 4 - THE NURSE WHO VANISHED
St. Catherine's Medical Center had changed ownership twice since Grace died.
The maternity wing had been renovated.
Several physicians had retired.
And the paper records from that year had been transferred to an off-site archive.
My attorney, Evelyn Marsh, arranged formal requests for the relevant records.
I wanted answers immediately.
She insisted we obtain them lawfully.
"If somebody manipulated those records," she told me, "we need evidence that can survive in court."
I hated waiting.
But she was right.
Three days later, a former maternity nurse contacted Evelyn.
Her name was Teresa Bell.
She had worked at St. Catherine's for twenty-three years.
She agreed to meet us in a small conference room at Evelyn's office.
Teresa was sixty-four, with silver hair and hands that wouldn't stop moving.
When I entered, she looked terrified.
"Mr. Blackwell."
"Ms. Bell."
She stared at me.
"I never thought I'd see you again."
I sat.
"Then you've been expecting this conversation."
Her eyes filled.
"Every day for seven years."
Evelyn leaned forward.
"Tell us what happened."
Teresa looked down.
"Your wife delivered twins."
The room went silent.
I stared at her.
"Say that again."
"Two girls. Identical twins."
I couldn't breathe.
Teresa began crying.
"Both were alive when they were delivered."
I gripped the edge of the table.
"Where was the second baby?"
She covered her mouth.
"Taken."
"By whom?"
Teresa shook her head.
"I didn't know his name then."
"Then?"
She looked at me.
"Your father-in-law."
I stared.
Grace's father, Richard Vale, had been a powerful Chicago businessman.
He died five years earlier.
I had attended his funeral.
He had stood beside me when we buried Grace.
He had held Lily as a newborn.
He had looked into my eyes and told me he was sorry.
Teresa continued.
"Mr. Vale arrived with two men. They said the second child had severe complications and needed transfer to another facility."
"Why wasn't I told?"
She began shaking.
"Because he ordered us not to tell you."
I stared at her.
"Why?"
Teresa looked toward Evelyn.
Then whispered:
May you like
"He said one child was enough leverage over you."
My blood turned cold.
