Chapter 16 - THE ATTORNEY’S SECRET
The assistant’s name was Claire Dorsey.
She had worked for Marcus for seven years.
Police found her car abandoned near the hospital.
Inside were photographs of Noah, Elena, Lily, and me.
Claire had copied legal documents and shared them with Julian.
Marcus was devastated.
He had trusted her with confidential information.
Investigators traced payments from a James Vale company into Claire’s account.
She had helped Julian monitor the family long before Elena disappeared.
Claire also altered the trust documents used by Vanessa.
The guardian clause naming Cynthia had been drafted on her computer.
The medication vial near Noah’s bassinet was empty, but Noah’s blood showed no sign of the drug.
The vial was a warning.
Claire wanted Elena to believe the hospital was unsafe.
Her goal was to force a transfer.
A forged transfer order had already been uploaded into the hospital system.
The destination was a rural pediatric clinic.
The clinic did not exist.
Security locked down the entire building.
Claire contacted Marcus from a blocked number.
“Bring me the Margaret recording,” she said.
“Why?”
“Because Julian has one final defense.”
“He confessed on that tape.”
“The voice can be challenged.”
“What do you want with it?”
“I want what I was promised.”
Marcus kept her talking while agents traced the call.
Claire revealed that Julian promised her control of Whitmore Industries’ legal division.
She believed Alexander’s family had used ordinary people for generations.
She called her actions justice.
Marcus answered quietly.
“Justice does not involve poisoning a newborn.”
“I never touched him.”
“You placed the vial.”
“To make them move.”
“Where are you?”
Claire laughed.
“Closer than you think.”
An alarm sounded in the hospital basement.
Smoke entered the ventilation system.
The neonatal unit began evacuation procedures.
Elena held Noah while nurses moved infants toward a secure elevator.
The elevator doors opened.
Claire stood inside wearing a surgical mask.
She pointed a gun at Elena.
“Give me the baby.”
Alexander stepped between them.
Claire fired.
The bullet struck him in the chest.
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He collapsed as the elevator doors began to close.
Elena remained trapped inside with Noah and Claire.
