Chapter 4 - THE DOCTOR WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD
Nathaniel Pierce was alive.
That fact alone changed everything.
Twelve years earlier, he'd been accused of helping wealthy clients conceal medical conditions, alter records, and obtain controlled prescriptions through fraudulent documentation.
My father had used him.
Julian had defended him.
Then Pierce vanished.
Julian told me he'd died overseas.
I never asked for proof.
That was the kind of man I had been.
If a problem disappeared, I considered it solved.
Detective Ellis found Pierce's name in the visitor records.
He had entered St. Anselm two days before Claire's collapse.
The appointment was listed as a consultation.
But Claire had not been admitted to the hospital then.
She had been visiting a friend who worked in the cardiology department.
"Who authorized the visit?" Ellis asked.
Rachel checked the system.
"An administrative account."
"Whose?"
Rachel frowned.
"It belonged to a former employee."
Ellis looked at me.
"Someone is using old credentials."
I nodded.
"Julian has people everywhere."
"Then we need to identify them."
That afternoon, Vanessa contacted me.
I answered on the third ring.
"Vincent."
Her voice trembled.
"Why are the police asking questions?"
"Because Claire was attacked."
"I had nothing to do with it."
"Then tell them what you know."
She began crying.
"Julian said you were going to leave her."
I went still.
"What?"
"He said Claire was unstable. That she'd been threatening you. That she wanted to destroy your businesses."
I stared at the wall.
"Did you believe him?"
"I didn't know what to believe."
"Did he tell you she was dead?"
Silence.
Then Vanessa whispered, "Yes."
My chest tightened.
"When?"
"Before I came to the hospital."
I closed my eyes.
"Vanessa, why didn't you tell me that?"
"Because he told me not to."
I swallowed.
"Where is Julian now?"
"I don't know."
"Then call Detective Ellis."
She hesitated.
"Vincent—"
"Vanessa, if you want to help yourself, tell the truth."
The call ended.
That evening, Theo entered my office.
"Boss, Julian's gone."
I looked up.
"What do you mean?"
"His house is empty. His phones are off. His accounts are being watched."
I stood.
"Find him."
Theo nodded.
Then I added, "Through the police."
He stared.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
He shook his head slowly.
"You're changing."
I looked toward the window.
"No."
My voice broke.
"I'm finally seeing what I've been."
At the hospital, Rachel allowed me another visit.
Claire's condition remained critical, but her responses were improving.
I sat beside her.
"Claire."
Her eyelids fluttered.
My heart stopped.
"Claire?"
Nothing.
Then her fingers moved.
Just slightly.
I leaned closer.
"Sweetheart?"
Her lips parted around the breathing tube.
No sound came.
I reached for her hand.
"I'm here."
Her fingers tightened.
Barely.
But enough.
I began crying.
For the first time in years, I didn't care who saw.
Rachel entered.
"Vincent, she's responding."
I nodded.
"I know."
Then Claire's eyes opened.
Only for a moment.
But she looked directly at me.
And in that brief second, I saw something that shattered me.
Not relief.
Not love.
May you like
Fear.
My wife was afraid of me.
