Chapter 8 - THE DOCTOR'S TERRIFYING CONFESSION|
By early Friday morning, I had been awake for almost thirty hours.
Detective Torres had arranged for me to stay somewhere secure.
Matteo had provided the records showing which vehicles were assigned to the Moretti security contractors.
The threatening photograph was now part of the investigation.
And Luca was finally beginning to understand how deeply Dominic had buried himself inside the family's business.
But none of that prepared us for what Dr. Graham Harrison revealed.
At seven in the morning, Detective Torres called.
"Harrison has agreed to speak with investigators and his attorney present."
Luca was standing beside the window of Evelyn's office.
"Did he confess?"
"He's provided information that may be important."
"What information?"
"I'd rather explain it after we verify it."
Two hours later, Torres met us in a private conference room.
She placed a folder on the table.
"Dr. Harrison has acknowledged providing medication to both your mother and, indirectly, to you."
Luca's face went white.
I covered my mouth.
"He says he believed some of the treatment was medically justified."
Torres's expression remained serious.
"But the records he supplied raise substantial questions about that claim."
"Was he trying to kill us?"
Luca's voice was raw.
"That's part of what we're investigating."
She showed us copies of payment records.
Harrison had received unusually large consulting fees from companies connected to Dominic.
The payments increased after Vanessa married Luca.
Some were described as wellness services.
Others were listed as residential patient assessments.
One payment was made immediately after Harrison prepared the report declaring Rosa incapable of making decisions.
Evelyn examined the records.
"These dates match the guardianship paperwork."
Torres nodded.
"Investigators are also examining messages about using medication to make both patients appear incapacitated."
My heart pounded.
"Did Harrison know about the Friday transaction?"
"He acknowledges discussing the timing."
Luca gripped the back of his chair.
"Why would a doctor do this?"
"He's claiming he was pressured."
"By Dominic?"
"That's what he's saying."
I remembered Lena's photograph.
Harrison standing beside Vanessa.
Dominic watching from the doorway.
All three had been part of Rosa's suffering.
Torres continued.
"Harrison says Dominic wanted medical documentation that would support removing you from control of Moretti Hospitality."
"And my mother?"
"He described her as an obstacle because of her rights under the family trust."
Luca's hands curled into fists.
"They were going to make us helpless."
Evelyn spoke carefully.
"That appears to be the purpose of the documents."
I stared at the financial records.
"What happens if today's sale goes through?"
Evelyn opened another folder.
"The transaction could move valuable assets into companies controlled by individuals whose identities are hidden behind several corporate layers."
"Can we stop it?"
"We're seeking emergency court intervention."
Luca looked at her.
"Do whatever is legally necessary."
She nodded.
"But we still need to understand who authorized these transactions."
Detective Torres handed us another page.
"This may help."
It was a copy of an internal financial schedule.
Several payments were labeled as patient care expenses.
But the money moved between companies associated with Dominic.
The suspicious account created in my name appeared in the schedule.
I pointed toward it.
"That's the account they're using to blame me."
Torres nodded.
"We've asked the bank to preserve the opening records and identify who actually controlled it."
For the first time, I felt hopeful.
The lies were beginning to unravel.
Then Luca's phone rang.
It was the hospital.
He answered immediately.
"Hello?"
I watched the color drain from his face.
"What do you mean she's gone?"
I stood.
"What's happened?"
Luca didn't answer me.
He was listening to the person on the phone.
"No."
His voice rose.
"She was not supposed to be transferred anywhere!"
Evelyn moved toward him.
"Who was transferred?"
Luca looked up.
"My mother."
My entire body went cold.
According to the hospital, two people had arrived that morning with documentation authorizing Rosa's transfer to a private recovery facility.
The paperwork appeared to come from her medical provider.
It named a transport company.
And it included an electronic authorization supposedly signed by Luca.
Hospital staff had begun the transfer before discovering that the records were disputed.
By the time security was alerted, Rosa had already left the building.
"Where did they take her?"
Luca demanded.
The hospital representative couldn't confirm the destination.
Detective Torres immediately started coordinating with officers and hospital security.
Luca stood motionless in the middle of the room.
His phone slipped from his hand.
I caught it before it hit the floor.
"Claire."
His voice was barely audible.
"They took my mother."
I grabbed his hand.
"We're going to find her."
He shook his head.
"She's eighty-two."
Tears filled his eyes.
"She's sick, and she's frightened."
I squeezed his hand.
"Then we need to think about where they would take her."
Suddenly, I remembered the receipt in Rosa's apron.
Northbrook Haven Recovery Services.
I looked toward Detective Torres.
"The facility."
She nodded.
"We're checking it."
But several minutes later, she returned with an expression I didn't like.
"Northbrook Haven no longer operates at its registered address."
Luca stared at her.
"Then where is my mother?"
Before she could answer, my phone rang.
It was a blocked number.
I answered.
"Hello?"
For several seconds, I heard only breathing.
Then a weak voice whispered my name.
"Claire."
I nearly collapsed.
"Mrs. Moretti?"
"Please."
Her voice trembled.
"Don't let them make me sign anything."
"Where are you?"
There was a muffled sound.
A man spoke in the background.
Then Rosa whispered five words.
May you like
"The kitchen with the blue door."
The call ended.
