Chapter 3: The Documents in the Drawer
Detective Lena Ortiz arrived at the hospital shortly after midnight.
She carried the folder recovered from beneath the nursery wardrobe.
The police had photographed everything before removing it.
Ortiz placed several copies on the table.
The first was an emergency custody petition.
The second was a request for a psychiatric evaluation of Maya.
The third was a statement written in Evelyn’s name.
It described Maya as violent, delusional, and incapable of safely caring for Oliver.
Ryan read the final page.
His hands began to shake.
The statement claimed Maya had once tried to smother Oliver during a panic attack.
“That never happened,” Ryan said.
“We know,” Maya whispered. “But look at the witness list.”
Three household employees were named.
The nanny, Rosa Delgado.
A former housekeeper named Beth Collins.
And the Whitmore family physician, Dr. Marcus Hale.
Ryan looked at Detective Ortiz.
“Have you contacted them?”
“We’ve spoken with Ms. Delgado. She denies witnessing anything described in the document.”
“What about the others?”
“Beth Collins moved away two years ago. We’re trying to locate her. Dr. Hale’s office has not returned our calls.”
Ortiz removed another document.
It appeared to be a medical assessment signed by Dr. Hale.
According to the report, Maya had shown symptoms of paranoia and severe emotional instability.
The date was six weeks earlier.
Maya stared at it.
“I have never been examined by Dr. Hale.”
Ryan knew Hale well.
The physician had treated the Whitmore family for more than twenty years.
He had been present at Ryan’s father’s funeral.
He had visited Evelyn’s home every Christmas.
“He forged this,” Ryan said.
“Or someone forged his signature,” Ortiz replied.
She turned to another page.
This one contained financial records.
A private account had been opened in Oliver’s name.
Evelyn was listed as trustee.
More than two million dollars had already been transferred into it from a Whitmore corporate fund.
Ryan’s eyes narrowed.
“I never approved this.”
Detective Ortiz watched him carefully.
“Who would have access?”
“My mother. Daniel. A few senior executives.”
“What is the account for?”
“I don’t know.”
Maya studied the papers.
“Maybe custody wasn’t the only reason she wanted me to sign.”
Ryan felt the meaning of her words settle over him.
If Evelyn gained legal control over Oliver, she would also control assets placed in his name.
Ortiz collected the papers.
“We are requesting the camera footage and financial records. Until we know more, I strongly recommend that neither of you return to the mansion.”
“That is our home,” Ryan said.
“It may also be a crime scene.”
Ryan looked toward Oliver’s hospital bed.
He had spent years building security systems around his companies.
He had trusted contracts, lawyers, cameras, and private guards.
But inside his own home, his mother had created a trap.
Ryan took Maya’s hand.
“We won’t go back,” he said. “Not until we know exactly what she put inside that house.”
Detective Ortiz stood to leave.
At the door, she paused.
“There’s one more thing.”
Ryan looked up.
“The hidden camera was not connected to your home security network.”
“Then where was the footage sent?”
“We traced the signal to a private server.”
May you like
Ortiz’s expression hardened.
“The server belongs to Whitmore Holdings.”
