Chapter 6 - VANESSA'S FIRST LIE
Vanessa laughed softly.
“That?”
“Yes.”
“I was adjusting the chair.”
“Nine times?”
Her smile weakened.
Grant continued.
“Why is Noah sedated?”
Vanessa’s eyes moved toward Claire.
Claire saw the calculation.
“Sedated?”
Grant pointed toward his son.
“He can barely stay awake.”
“He has difficult days.”
“What medication is he taking?”
“Whatever Dr. Lang prescribed.”
Grant looked at Claire.
She handed him the photograph of the clonazepam carton.
Vanessa’s face changed.
Only for half a second.
Then she became offended.
“You went through our trash?”
“I saw the label.”
Grant looked at Vanessa.
“Is Noah prescribed this?”
“Occasionally.”
“I want the prescription.”
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“You’re interrogating me because the help has become suspicious?”
Grant’s expression hardened.
“Do not call her that.”
Claire was surprised again.
Vanessa noticed.
Her eyes sharpened.
“Grant.”
“I have cared for Noah every day while you traveled.”
“I have managed doctors.”
“Therapists.”
“Nightmares.”
“Meals.”
“You call twice a day and suddenly you’re an expert?”
The accusation landed.
Because it contained truth.
Grant knew it.
“I should have been here more.”
He said.
“But that doesn’t answer my question.”
Vanessa’s voice became softer.
“He panics.”
“The medication calms him.”
“Who prescribed it?”
She hesitated.
“Peter.”
Dr. Peter Lang.
Grant immediately called him.
The neurologist denied it.
“I discontinued all benzodiazepines months ago.”
Grant put the call on speaker.
Vanessa went pale.
Dr. Lang continued.
“Noah’s latest blood work should contain none.”
Grant asked.
“When was his last blood work?”
Silence.
Dr. Lang checked.
“Three months ago.”
“I ordered follow-up twice.”
“Mrs. Whitman canceled.”
Grant slowly turned.
Vanessa said.
“He hates needles.”
Grant ended the call.
Then looked at Claire.
“Take Noah downstairs.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“No.”
Grant faced her.
“Excuse me?”
“He needs rest.”
Grant’s voice became low.
“My son is leaving this room.”
Vanessa stared at him.
Then smiled.
“Of course.”
Claire unlocked the wheelchair.
Noah’s hand touched her wrist.
Three taps.
Claire froze.
Not their yes signal.
Something else.
She looked down.
Noah’s eyes were on Vanessa.
Three taps again.
Claire remembered.
The picture book.
The fox.
Three taps.
Warning.
She bent closer.
“What is it?”
Noah’s lips moved.
No sound.
Then his eyes shifted toward the bedside cabinet.
Claire opened it.
Behind folded blankets sat a second medication bottle.
No label.
Clear liquid.
Vanessa lunged.
“Leave that alone.”
May you like
Grant moved between them.
And for the first time, fear entered Vanessa’s face.
