Chapter 7 - THE DOCTOR WHO LIED
Dante confronted Elena Russo through his attorneys.
The meeting took place in a private conference room.
Clare attended at Dante's request.
Elena looked nervous.
She was in her late forties, elegantly dressed, and visibly uncomfortable.
Dante placed Alessia's notebook on the table.
"Why is your name here?"
Elena stared at it.
"I don't know."
"Try again."
Clare touched Dante's arm.
He exhaled.
Then he sat back.
Elena looked at Clare.
"Who are you?"
"Someone who cares about Leonardo."
The physician's eyes filled.
"I never wanted to hurt him."
Dante leaned forward.
"What does that mean?"
Elena covered her mouth.
Then she began to speak.
Alessia had discovered irregularities involving a charitable medical foundation connected to Victor Santoro.
The organization claimed to fund pediatric hearing research and treatment for disadvantaged children.
But some donations were being diverted through fraudulent contracts.
Elena had noticed discrepancies.
She'd told Alessia.
And Alessia had started investigating.
"Victor found out," Elena whispered.
Dante's face hardened.
"What did he do?"
"He threatened my career. My family."
"Did you falsify my son's diagnosis?"
Elena shook her head quickly.
"No. Leonardo's hearing loss is real. I didn't invent that."
Clare felt relief.
"But?" Dante asked.
Elena lowered her eyes.
"I delayed referring him for a complete second opinion. Victor wanted you distracted. He wanted you focused on your son instead of asking questions about the foundation."
Dante stood.
For a moment, Clare feared he would lose control.
Instead, he walked to the window.
Elena began crying.
"I'm sorry."
Dante turned.
"Did Alessia know Victor was stealing?"
"Yes."
"Did she confront him?"
Elena nodded.
"When?"
"Two days before she died."
The room went silent.
Dante stared at her.
"Are you telling me Victor killed my wife?"
Elena shook her head.
May you like
"I don't know."
But her expression said she feared the answer.
