Chapter 6 - The Doctor Who Changed the Time of Death|
For nine years, Emily Moretti's death certificate had been locked inside a family safe.
Dominic knew the date.
He knew the location.
He knew the official cause of death.
Accidental drowning associated with hypothermia.
But he'd never studied the document closely.
Now he sat in his father's study with the certificate spread across the desk.
Claire stood beside the window.
Samuel sat near the fireplace, holding Bruno's collar.
Daniel examined the records with a private investigator who had previously worked on financial crimes.
Dr. Adrian Keller's signature appeared at the bottom.
Dominic stared.
“He was our family doctor.”
Daniel nodded.
“He treated Antonio for years.”
“He attended Emily's funeral.”
“Yes.”
Dominic swallowed.
“He told me she'd died quickly.”
Nobody answered.
Dominic lifted his eyes.
“Find out where Keller is now.”
Daniel checked his phone.
“He retired from private practice three years ago. According to public records, he lives in Indiana.”
Dominic stared at the death certificate again.
Then he noticed something.
“There's no hospital admission listed.”
The investigator leaned forward.
“That's unusual if she was transported for emergency treatment, though we'd need the original records to know what happened.”
Dominic looked toward Samuel.
“You said Emily was alive when they carried her from the greenhouse.”
Samuel nodded.
“Barely. But she was breathing.”
“And Keller was there?”
“I didn't see him arrive. But Vincent said a doctor was coming.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
He remembered the night.
The storm.
The frantic search.
His father shouting instructions.
The terrible silence before sunrise.
He'd been twenty-five and away at a business dinner when Emily disappeared.
By the time he reached the estate, the search had already moved toward the lake.
He'd never seen the greenhouse that night.
He'd trusted the adults who were there.
Now he wondered how many had lied.
Claire moved closer.
“Dominic?”
He looked up.
“Are you all right?”
He gave a bitter laugh.
“No.”
Then he looked toward Samuel.
“My father told me he'd done everything possible to save Emily.”
Samuel lowered his eyes.
“Antonio loved her.”
“Then why did he allow you to be blamed?”
Samuel hesitated.
“I don't know.”
Dominic's jaw tightened.
“But you suspect something.”
Samuel looked toward the photographs.
“I suspect someone convinced him the truth would put the whole family in danger.”
Dominic stared.
“Vincent.”
“Maybe.”
The investigator spoke.
“We need the original medical and police records, not only these copies. If the timeline was altered, there may be inconsistencies.”
Dominic nodded.
“Get a court order if necessary. Cooperate with whoever is assigned to reopen the case.”
Then he turned toward Claire.
“Would your father be willing to give another statement?”
Samuel answered before she could.
“Yes.”
Claire looked at him.
“Dad…”
He took her hand.
“I've spent nine years being afraid.”
His voice trembled.
“I'm tired.”
She squeezed his fingers.
Dominic looked toward Samuel.
“This time, you'll have legal representation. And the evidence won't disappear into my family's private files.”
Samuel stared at him.
For a moment, he looked surprised.
Then nodded.
“Thank you.”
That evening, Dominic visited Emily's bedroom.
He hadn't entered it in almost two years.
Her furniture remained beneath white dust covers.
Stuffed animals lined the shelves.
A small pair of red boots stood beside the closet.
He sat on the edge of her bed.
For a long time, he stared at the wall.
Then Claire appeared in the doorway.
She carried a tray with tea.
“Mrs. Alvarez said you hadn't eaten.”
Dominic gave a faint smile.
“You sound like my mother.”
Claire looked around the room.
“Emily loved animals.”
He nodded.
“She wanted to become a veterinarian.”
Claire smiled.
“My father would've liked that.”
Dominic looked toward the photograph beside the bed.
Emily stood between him and Antonio, holding Bruno as a puppy.
“She used to call me every night when I traveled.”
His voice softened.
“She'd ask when I was coming home.”
Claire sat in the chair beside the window.
“She loved you.”
He looked down.
“I wasn't there when she needed me.”
“You didn't know.”
“I should have.”
Claire shook her head.
“You can't protect someone from a secret nobody tells you exists.”
Dominic stared at her.
Then whispered, “Your father tried.”
“Yes.”
“And I hated him for it.”
Claire's expression softened.
“You believed what everyone told you.”
“That doesn't make it right.”
“No.”
She paused.
“But you can still help him now.”
Dominic looked toward the small red boots.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he stood.
“I will.”
His phone rang.
Daniel.
Dominic answered.
He listened.
His expression changed.
“What?”
Claire rose.
Dominic turned toward the door.
“When?”
Another pause.
Then he looked directly at Claire.
“Dr. Keller has been found.”
Her pulse quickened.
“Where?”
Dominic lowered the phone.
“In a private nursing facility outside Indianapolis.”
Claire exhaled.
Then saw his face.
“What is it?”
Dominic swallowed.
“He's dying.”
May you like
The room became silent.
“And he says he wants to confess before it's too late.”
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