Chapter 10 - THE MAN WHO SIGNED THE ORDERS
Franklin Doyle was arrested several months later.
Investigators alleged that he had participated in fraudulent property transfers and concealed financial arrangements connected to Thornfield.
The evidence included payments, correspondence, and original documents.
During questioning, Franklin attempted to shift responsibility to Thornfield executives.
But investigators had recovered records bearing his signatures.
Rafe watched the news report without speaking.
Mave sat beside him.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
He considered.
"No."
She nodded.
"Fair."
He looked at her.
"For years, I thought Franklin was family."
Mave studied him.
"Sometimes betrayal hurts more when it comes from someone who knew exactly what they were taking."
Rafe lowered his eyes.
The investigation into Teresa's death remained more complicated.
Medical experts reviewed her records.
They identified concerning discrepancies in medication administration and documentation.
But determining the precise effect on her death required careful analysis.
Rafe wanted certainty.
He wanted someone to tell him exactly what had happened.
The experts could not.
Mave understood that frustration.
She had spent years sitting beside families who wanted answers medicine could not always provide.
One evening, Rafe asked her:
"How do you live with not knowing?"
Mave looked at him.
"You don't always get to stop wondering."
He stared.
"Then what?"
"You learn not to let the unanswered question take everything else."
Rafe looked down.
She continued.
"Your mother was more than the way she died."
He closed his eyes.
"Tell me about her."
For nearly two hours, Rafe talked.
About Sunday dinners.
About the garden.
About the way Teresa used to sing while washing dishes.
About how she hated expensive jewelry but loved handwritten cards.
May you like
Mave listened.
And slowly, Rafe began remembering his mother as a person rather than a mystery.
