Chapter 8 - HER MOTHER'S NAME
Emma had been ten when her mother died.
Linda Carter had worked nights, packed lunches before sunrise, and never talked much about the wealthy people she once served.
Emma knew she had been a private nurse years earlier.
She did not know the patient's name.
Daniel did.
When Emma returned to the hospital and played the clip, her father's eyes filled with regret.
"Your mother worked for Isabella Moretti."
Emma sat down hard.
"What?"
"For almost four years. Before you were born."
Vincent stared at Daniel.
"I remember Linda."
Daniel nodded. "She left when she found out someone was changing Mrs. Moretti's medication records."
Vincent's face tightened.
"Dominic?"
"She never proved it. But she kept notes."
Emma felt anger rising.
"You let me work in that hotel and never told me any of this?"
Daniel's voice broke.
"I thought it was over."
"It wasn't over for Mom."
Silence.
Daniel finally said, "Your mother didn't die from the illness alone. Two days before she went into the hospital, somebody broke into our house and took her files. She was terrified."
Emma had never known.
Vincent asked, "Did she keep copies?"
Daniel nodded.
"One set. She gave it to Isabella."
Emma looked at Vincent.
The missing blue envelope suddenly made sense.
Isabella had been protecting evidence that began with Linda Carter.
A nurse entered.
"Miss Carter, there's a package for you downstairs. No sender."
Inside was a small cassette recorder.
A yellow note was taped to it.
YOUR MOTHER SHOULD HAVE STAYED QUIET.
Emma pressed play.
Linda Carter's voice filled the room.
"If anything happens to me, the person changing Isabella's records is—"
The recording cut off.
May you like
Then a man's voice whispered from the tape.
"We know where Sophie goes to school."
