Chapter 9 - THE ROOM WITHOUT WINDOWS
Daniel awoke beneath fluorescent lights.
His wrists were restrained against the sides of a narrow hospital bed.
There were no windows.
A camera watched from the corner.
His mouth tasted metallic.
He tried to remember how long he had been unconscious.
The wedding.
The dance.
Olivia falling.
The syringe.
Everything returned at once.
He pulled against the restraints.
The door opened.
A gray-haired doctor entered with a clipboard.
“My name is Dr. Samuel Reeves.”
“Where am I?”
“Blackwood Psychiatric Center.”
Daniel stared at him.
“I need a lawyer.”
“You were admitted following a violent psychological episode.”
“I was drugged.”
The doctor made a note.
“My blood will prove it.”
“Your initial toxicology screening found no illegal substances.”
“Then someone changed the results.”
The doctor made another note.
Daniel saw the pattern.
Every accusation would be recorded as paranoia.
Every protest would become evidence against him.
“Where is my sister?”
“I don’t have that information.”
“My mother?”
“I’m here to discuss your condition.”
Daniel forced himself to breathe slowly.
“What did my wife tell you?”
Dr. Reeves turned a page.
“She described several months of erratic behavior.”
“That is a lie.”
“She reported insomnia, violent mood swings, financial delusions, and increasing suspicion toward family members.”
Daniel stopped pulling against the restraints.
Olivia had built the story long before the wedding.
The doctor continued.
“She also provided messages in which you threatened to ruin her life.”
“I never sent them.”
“We can review everything after you stabilize.”
“I am stable.”
“You were restrained after attacking two security officers.”
“They were holding me.”
“You also pushed your wife.”
“She threw herself down.”
The doctor watched him carefully.
Daniel understood that anger would only strengthen the case against him.
He lowered his voice.
“What happens next?”
“You’ll remain under observation for seventy-two hours.”
“And after that?”
“Your wife has requested an emergency guardianship evaluation.”
Daniel looked at the camera.
The plan was moving faster than Olivia had revealed.
The door opened again.
This time, Senator Mercer entered.
He waited until the doctor left.
Then he pulled a chair beside the bed.
“You should have married my daughter and enjoyed your life.”
Daniel stared at him.
“You were on the phone.”
The senator smiled.
“You never heard the man’s voice clearly.”
“You helped her.”
“I protected my family.”
“You framed Emma.”
“She was useful.”
Daniel pulled once against the restraints.
Richard leaned closer.
“Do that again.”
May you like
His voice became almost pleasant.
“Give the camera exactly what we need.”
