Chapter 8 - THE DOCTOR WHO CAME THROUGH THE STORM
Daniel Kane arrived in Chicago during a thunderstorm.
He was thirty-six, tall and dark-haired, with Everett's gray eyes but a gentler expression.
Willa met him at a small clinic outside the city.
He carried a medical bag and a folder of documents.
“You're Willa?”
She nodded.
He studied her.
“You look exhausted.”
She laughed bitterly.
“I've had better weeks.”
Daniel smiled faintly.
Then became serious.
“Tell me everything.”
Willa explained Everett's condition.
The medication records.
Whitfield's midnight visits.
The hand squeezes.
The faint word Everett had spoken.
Daniel listened carefully.
When she finished, he sat back.
“If Everett is demonstrating consistent awareness, he needs urgent independent evaluation.”
Willa nodded.
“I know.”
Daniel looked at her.
“And you must not alter his medications yourself again.”
Willa lowered her eyes.
“I was trying to help.”
“I believe you. But we don't know exactly what he's receiving. Any change needs a qualified medical team with appropriate monitoring.”
She nodded.
“I understand.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“We need to get him to a hospital.”
“How?”
Daniel opened his folder.
“Through legal channels. Emergency medical intervention if necessary. We need documentation and independent witnesses.”
Willa swallowed.
“Sterling controls the estate.”
Daniel's expression hardened.
“He doesn't control the law.”
They contacted an attorney named Rebecca Monroe, who specialized in guardianship disputes and medical decision-making.
Rebecca reviewed the documents.
She frowned.
“There's a problem.”
Willa felt her stomach tighten.
“What?”
“Sterling has been acting under a temporary guardianship order.”
Daniel stared.
“On what basis?”
“Medical incapacity.”
Rebecca continued.
“And the marriage may not have been legally valid if Everett lacked capacity to consent.”
Willa looked down.
She had suspected as much.
Sterling had forced the ceremony through a legal representative.
But Everett had been unable to express consent.
Rebecca studied her.
“We need to separate the marriage issue from Everett's medical care. His rights come first.”
Willa nodded.
“That's all I want.”
That evening, Rebecca filed an emergency petition seeking independent medical evaluation and review of Sterling's authority.
Daniel submitted a professional statement explaining why Everett's responses warranted urgent assessment.
Willa provided her observations and records.
The court scheduled an emergency hearing.
Sterling learned about it before midnight.
He entered Everett's room without knocking.
Willa stood beside the bed.
Sterling smiled.
“You've been busy.”
Willa said nothing.
He held up a copy of the petition.
“Did you think I wouldn't find out?”
Willa looked at him.
“I think Everett deserves a doctor who doesn't answer to you.”
Sterling stepped closer.
“You have no idea what you've started.”
May you like
Willa met his eyes.
“Then maybe you should explain it to the judge.”
