Chapter 17 - The Doctor’s Signature
Dr. Samuel Kent had treated Arthur for twelve years.
He had prescribed sleep medication after Rebecca died. He had sat in Arthur’s kitchen during the funeral week and told him grief was not a disease.
Now his signature appeared beneath a report describing Arthur as impulsive, paranoid, and potentially dangerous.
Arthur called him.
Disconnected.
Reed sent officers to his clinic.
Empty.
Clara read the evaluation line by line.
“This references sessions that never happened.”
Arthur pointed at a date. “I was in Tokyo.”
“Good. We can prove that.”
Maria looked at the signature.
“Is it real?”
Arthur did not answer.
He no longer trusted ink.
The emergency hearing was set for the next morning.
Elena appeared by video from the hospital, shoulder bandaged, hair perfect.
Her attorney painted Arthur as a grieving widower manipulated by an employee.
Maria sat behind Clara at counsel table and listened as her loyalty became a conspiracy.
Then Elena testified.
“Arthur has become obsessed with the idea that I’m connected to Rebecca’s death.”
“You were connected,” Clara said.
Elena’s lawyer objected.
The judge sustained.
Elena continued. “I fear for Evan. I fear Arthur will liquidate assets, destroy the family business, and isolate the child.”
Arthur stared at her.
She had helped kidnap Evan less than a week earlier.
Yet she spoke with tears in her eyes.
Clara stood.
“Your Honor, we have authenticated bank-fraud evidence, an active criminal investigation, and a witness statement from Graham Pike.”
Elena’s attorney smiled.
“Mr. Pike is a confessed felon currently hospitalized after what appears to be organized-crime violence. Hardly credible.”
Then the courtroom door opened.
Dr. Samuel Kent walked in with Detective Reed.
Elena went still.
Kent took the stand.
Clara showed him the psychiatric report.
“Did you write this?”
“No.”
“Is that your signature?”
“It is an image of my signature copied from another document.”
“Where have you been for the last twenty-four hours?”
Kent looked toward Elena.
“Hiding.”
“From whom?”
“Lucas Laurent.”
The courtroom erupted.
The judge called for order.
Kent continued.
“Lucas demanded that I validate the report. When I refused, two men came to my office.”
Arthur felt cold.
“Did Mrs. Vance know?” Clara asked.
Kent hesitated.
“Yes.”
Elena’s face cracked.
“How do you know?”
Kent reached into his jacket.
“Because she called me herself.”
The judge leaned forward.
“Do you have proof?”
Kent nodded.
“A voicemail.”
Clara played it.
Elena’s voice filled the courtroom.
SAM, SIGN THE EVALUATION. IF YOU DON’T, LUCAS WILL HANDLE YOU THE WAY HE HANDLED REBECCA.
May you like
Arthur turned toward Elena.
For the first time, she looked afraid of the truth.
