Chapter 3 - THE VIDEO THAT COULD NOT DISAPPEAR
The officers took statements separately.
Vanessa insisted Emily had provoked her.
Preston claimed he had been looking away when physical contact occurred.
The nurse contradicted both of them.
So did the elderly couple.
Then the police watched the security recording.
Afterward, nobody asked whether Vanessa had kicked Emily.
The only question was what charges would follow.
Vanessa sat in a chair with her arms folded.
“This is insane.”
One officer stood beside her.
“You’ll have an opportunity to explain everything downtown.”
Her eyes snapped toward Preston.
“Do something.”
Preston looked toward Raymond.
Raymond offered nothing.
Vanessa stood.
“You said this hospital was yours.”
Preston lowered his voice.
“It is complicated.”
“No.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“You said you owned it.”
“My family controls operations.”
“Your wife owns almost half the trust?”
Preston said nothing.
Vanessa stared at him.
“You lied to me.”
Preston’s jaw tightened.
“This is not the time.”
The officer reached for Vanessa’s handbag.
“Ma’am.”
Vanessa pulled it closer.
“I know my rights.”
“And you can exercise them with counsel present.”
Vanessa looked at Raymond.
“I want an attorney.”
“Good idea.”
Raymond turned away.
The officers escorted Vanessa toward the elevator.
Before the doors closed, she looked directly at Preston.
“If I go down alone, I will bury you.”
The doors shut.
Preston’s face hardened.
Raymond noticed.
“So.”
Raymond folded his arms.
“What exactly does she know?”
“Nothing.”
“You should stop saying that.”
Preston looked toward Labor and Delivery.
“I need to see my wife.”
“No.”
“She is carrying my son.”
Raymond’s expression became colder.
“She is carrying her son.”
Preston stared at him.
“You can’t turn her against me.”
Raymond almost laughed.
“You managed that without assistance.”
A doctor came through the obstetric doors.
“Mr. Saint Claire?”
Raymond stepped forward.
“How is she?”
“Stable.”
Preston exhaled.
“And the baby?”
“Heart rate has improved.”
The doctor continued.
“We want to keep her overnight.”
Preston immediately moved toward the doors.
“I’m her husband.”
The doctor looked uncomfortable.
Raymond said nothing.
He did not need to.
The doctor looked at Preston.
“Mrs. Whitmore specifically requested that you not be allowed into the room.”
Preston stopped.
“She what?”
“She requested restricted access.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“It is her right.”
Preston’s face flushed.
Raymond stepped closer.
“Go home.”
Preston turned toward him.
“You think you won something today?”
Raymond shook his head.
“No.”
He glanced toward the doors behind which Emily was resting.
“You still think this is about winning.”
Preston lowered his voice.
“My father will destroy you.”
Raymond looked almost amused.
“Your father signed his company’s emergency credit line with Saint Claire Capital eighteen months ago.”
Preston’s confidence vanished again.
Raymond continued.
“If Harold Whitmore wants a war, tell him to read page fourteen before he declares one.”
“What’s on page fourteen?”
Raymond smiled faintly.
“The clause that allows me to freeze every discretionary facility if your family violates fiduciary obligations.”
Preston stared at him.
Raymond’s phone vibrated.
A message from his chief financial officer.
AUDIT TEAM READY.
Raymond looked back at Preston.
“You should probably call your father.”
May you like
“Why?”
“Because at eight tomorrow morning, I’m opening the books.”
