Chapter 15 - Nora's Brother
Nora did have a brother.
His name was Daniel Ellis.
And five years earlier, he had worked for Callahan Medical Services.
"You should have told me," Ethan said.
Nora stood in the empty hospital family room with both arms crossed.
"You should have asked before assuming the worst. We both have things we should have done."
"Grant knew."
"Of course he knew."
She looked tired rather than defensive.
"Daniel was a billing analyst. He found duplicate invoices tied to shell vendors. He reported them. Two weeks later he was fired for 'data misuse.'"
"Why didn't he sue?"
Ethan looked away.
"Rourke?"
"Signed the letter himself."
"Where is Daniel now?"
"Denver. He teaches accounting at a community college."
"And you took a job in my house because of him?"
Nora's eyes flashed.
"No. I took the job because it paid well and I had ten years of childcare experience. I didn't even know the medical company was connected until I saw the logo on one of Sophie's invoices."
She pulled out her phone.
"Then I called Daniel."
"What did he tell you?"
"He told me to document everything."
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"That's why the videos exist."
"Yes."
"Why didn't you go to police?"
He had no answer.
Nora's voice softened.
"Daniel learned what happens when you accuse powerful people before you have proof."
Ethan sat down.
"Grant is going to use this against you."
"He already is."
Rachel entered carrying a laptop.
"Actually, we may use it against him."
Daniel had kept one thing from his old job.
Not confidential patient records.
A personal notebook containing vendor codes he had been asked to reconcile.
Several matched the shell companies now billing Sophie's trust.
One code appeared beside a handwritten note:
V.C. REQUEST - KEEP OFF MAIN LEDGER.
Ethan stared at the initials.
Vivian Callahan.
Rachel scrolled farther.
Another note appeared beside a payment from the week Lillian died.
M. ROURKE - VEHICLE MATTER - URGENT.
Nobody spoke.
"Again," Rachel said, "this does not prove what happened to Lillian."
"But it proves Rourke used the same hidden vendor system," Nora said.
Rachel nodded.
Then her phone buzzed.
She read the message and looked at Ethan.
"The board moved the emergency meeting up."
"To when?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"They can't."
"They just did."
Nora looked toward Sophie's room.
May you like
Rachel closed the laptop.
"And Grant has filed a motion asking the court to recognize Celeste as Sophie's temporary trustee before the vote."
