Chapter 9 - The Numbers Underneath
The respiratory therapist, Carmen Ortiz, brought Julian into a small equipment room.
"I want you to see what we actually have," she said.
On her desk lay the home machine's serial number, its therapy summary, and the insurer's equipment record.
"The equipment itself has been delivering support," Carmen explained.
"But Lena's recent symptoms suggest her settings and mask fit need a full review."
"Did somebody change them?"
"We can't say that from this information."
Julian swallowed his disappointment.
"Then what can we say?"
"We can say she missed assessments that could have helped us understand her changing needs sooner."
She pointed to three invoices from Blue Harbor that Julian had supplied through his lawyer.
Each listed a costly backup device.
"None of these serial numbers matches a device recorded by her actual medical supplier," Carmen said.
"That doesn't prove where the money went, but someone needs to reconcile it."
Detective Brooks requested the documents through the appropriate channels.
Meanwhile, Lena underwent supervised monitoring, blood tests, and a specialist examination.
The team explained that a respiratory infection could uncover an underlying weakness of the muscles used for breathing.
It did not mean her life had been doomed or that a hidden cure was waiting in a drawer.
"What happens now?" Julian asked.
"We find the safest support plan," Dr. Patel said.
"We investigate the cause and start rehabilitation appropriate for her condition."
That night, Lena watched rain move across the window.
"Can I still go to school someday?"
"That's what we're working toward," Julian said.
"Not just the machine. All the things you want to do."
He expected her to ask about the trust or Meredith.
Instead she said, "I miss laughing at lunch with Tasha."
Julian realized he hadn't heard about Tasha in months.
In the morning, he called Lena's school.
May you like
Her teacher answered immediately.
"Mr. Ward? We've been trying to reach you since February."
