Chapter 4 - The Doctor’s Signature
Ethan stared at the document.
“That’s impossible.”
Dr. Hayes stood across the room.
His face drained of color.
“I never signed that.”
Rebecca handed him the page.
Samuel studied it.
His expression changed from shock to anger.
“That signature is copied.”
“From what?”
He thought.
Then looked toward Ethan.
“Your annual medical certification.”
Every year, Blackwood Holdings required Ethan to submit a health clearance because of insurance policies tied to executive leadership.
Samuel signed them.
Victor had access to corporate files.
Rebecca nodded.
“That gives us forgery.”
“But until the board formally rejects the proxy, Victor’s motion still exists.”
Ethan looked at the clock.
Eight hours until the vote.
Amelia reached for his hand.
“Don’t go.”
He turned.
“Victor built all of this around that board meeting.”
“Exactly.”
Her grip tightened.
“That means he has something else planned.”
Detective Collins agreed.
“We arrested Victor, not his network.”
“How many people worked for him?”
Amelia looked toward the ceiling.
“At least twelve.”
“Maybe more.”
“Doctors.”
“Security.”
“Foundation staff.”
“Someone from the board.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
“Who?”
“I never heard a name.”
“Victor called him Chairman.”
Ethan went still.
There were only three people on the Blackwood board whom Victor addressed that formally.
Charles Monroe.
Elaine Mercer.
And Thomas Vale.
All three had served the company for more than twenty years.
All three had been at Amelia’s funeral.
One of them may have known she was alive.
Ethan’s phone buzzed.
An anonymous message.
NO BOARD MEETING.
NO DAUGHTER.
He stared at it.
A photograph followed.
Lily.
Sleeping in Amelia’s hospital room.
Taken from inside the hospital.
Ethan looked toward the ceiling camera.
Marcus immediately drew his weapon.
“Someone has access to the security system.”
Sarah locked the room.
“Who has entered this floor?”
A nurse checked the digital log.
Doctors.
Nurses.
Police.
Samuel.
Rebecca.
Marcus.
Two hospital administrators.
One cleaning employee.
Then Marcus checked the image metadata.
“The photo was taken four minutes ago.”
Everyone looked around.
Lily stirred.
Amelia pulled her closer.
Sarah ordered the entire floor sealed.
Security checked rooms.
Supply closets.
Bathrooms.
No intruder.
Then Samuel noticed something.
The photograph angle was low.
Near the floor.
He crouched beside the air vent.
Inside was a tiny wireless camera.
Ethan’s rage sharpened.
Victor had prepared this before his arrest.
Sarah removed the device.
It was transmitting live.
Then another message arrived.
BRING THE TEA TO THE BOARD.
Ethan looked at the poisoned cup, now sealed as evidence at the mansion.
The sender knew it still existed.
Another line appeared.
LET THEM SEE WHAT VICTOR SERVED YOU.
Ethan frowned.
“That doesn’t sound like Victor.”
Sarah agreed.
“No.”
“Someone wants the board to see the poison.”
“Why?”
Amelia whispered:
“Because someone wants Victor destroyed.”
A final message appeared.
And beneath it was a name.
May you like
NORA.
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