Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN EVERYONE CALLED A LIAR
Hannah Brooks was twenty-nine.
She lived in a small apartment on Chicago's South Side with her younger sister, Lily, who was finishing college.
Before the accident, Hannah had worked at Mercy Harbor Rehabilitation Center.
She had been studying to become a physical therapist.
After the accident, everything changed.
"I gave a statement," Hannah told me.
"Two days later, I received a call from a man who said he represented your family."
"Who?"
"Dominic Rinaldi."
Dominic remained silent.
Hannah continued.
"He told me Mrs. Moretti's death was a private family matter. He said your daughter was receiving the best possible care and that I should stop contacting the hospital."
I felt sick.
"Why would he say that?"
"He said you believed I was trying to profit from the accident."
I stared at Dominic.
He looked away.
Hannah's voice grew steadier.
"Then someone filed a complaint against me at the rehabilitation center."
"What complaint?"
"That I had stolen patient medication."
Sophia looked up.
"Hannah doesn't steal."
Hannah kissed the top of her head.
"I know, sweetheart."
She looked back at me.
"The allegation was never substantiated. But I was suspended while they investigated. I lost my position and couldn't afford to finish school."
My jaw tightened.
"Who filed it?"
"The complaint was anonymous."
I looked toward Dominic.
He said nothing.
Hannah continued.
"I tried to appeal. I tried to contact your office. Every letter came back unanswered."
"Why didn't you go to the press?"
"Because someone started following my sister."
Silence.
"One night, a man stopped Lily outside her dormitory. He told her that accidents happen to people who don't know when to stay quiet."
My hands curled into fists.
Hannah noticed.
"Please don't make this worse."
I forced myself to breathe.
"What happened next?"
"I moved. Changed jobs. Tried to disappear."
She looked down at Sophia.
"But I never forgot her."
Sophia had fallen asleep against Hannah's shoulder.
The excitement had exhausted her.
I called the hospital's pediatric rehabilitation team.
I wanted Sophia evaluated immediately.
Not because I doubted what I'd seen.
Because I knew that a child who had not walked independently for years could be injured by sudden exertion.
Hannah agreed.
"She needs a proper assessment," she said. "What happened tonight doesn't mean everything is healed."
I looked at her.
"You understand that better than I do."
She gave a tired smile.
"I've spent years learning what recovery actually looks like."
When the medical team arrived, I turned toward Dominic.
"Give me your phone."
He stiffened.
"Boss?"
"Your phone."
His expression darkened.
"You don't know what you're doing."
I stared at him.
"Then explain it."
Dominic slowly placed the phone on the table.
But before I could touch it, the screen illuminated.
An incoming message appeared.
UNKNOWN: Did the girl recognize her?
May you like
I looked up.
Dominic's face had gone white.
