Chapter 4 - The First Report

Ethan called his physician.

Dr. Lang answered on the second ring.

"What medical report?"

Silence.

"Ethan, where are you?"

"At home. Answer me."

Dr. Lang lowered his voice.

"Someone requested an executive capacity evaluation using my office letterhead."

"Who?"

"I don't know. I refused to sign it."

"But there is a report."

"A draft. It claims you've had blackouts, confusion, and impaired judgment."

Sarah looked at Ethan.

He seemed suddenly less angry than frightened.

"None of that is true."

"I know."

"Who requested it?"

"Your chief of staff."

Collins.

Ethan closed his eyes.

Dr. Lang continued. "He said it was for insurance."

"Why didn't you call me?"

"I did. Your office returned the call and said you approved it."

Victoria appeared at the top of the archive stairs.

"I want my things."

Ethan's voice was flat.

"You'll get what security packs."

"You've lost your mind."

Sarah saw it instantly.

The phrase.

Exactly the kind of thing a witness might later remember.

Victoria came down one step.

"Look at you. Paranoid. Accusing everyone."

Ethan laughed once.

"You practiced that, didn't you?"

Her eyes flashed.

He held up his phone.

"There is a report being built to declare me incompetent."

Victoria's face did not move.

That told him enough.

Sarah said, "And if he's declared incompetent?"

Hale answered quietly.

"Leo's guardian could control the trust."

Victoria turned on him.

"Nobody asked you."

Ethan stepped between them.

"Get out."

Victoria smiled.

"You think you can just throw me away?"

"Watch me."

At the hospital, the pediatrician examined Leo and said he was frightened but stable.

Then a nurse approached Ethan with a sealed chart.

"Mr. Mercer? We found something strange."

"What?"

"Someone called ahead before you arrived."

"Who?"

"They said they were Leo's mother."

Ethan's face emptied.

"Leo's mother is dead."

The nurse swallowed.

"The caller gave the correct family password."

Only three people knew that password.

Ethan.

Caroline.

And Sarah.

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Sarah went cold.

Because she had never told Victoria.