Chapter 9 - The Missing Page
The hospital's records director explained that a page had been removed during a routine transfer between departments. The rest of Eleanor's file appeared complete, so the gap had gone unnoticed.
“Who requested the restriction?” Elaine asked.
The director checked her notes. The request had come from a legal office representing Peter's company, three weeks after Eleanor died. It claimed the page contained private information unrelated to the cause of death.
The director was careful. Eleanor had died from a serious postpartum complication, and the hospital's review had found no evidence of malpractice. The missing page might be a consultation note, a conversation, or a billing entry. They would need the original to know.
Elaine requested a formal review and asked that all records be preserved. She warned Richard not to assume the missing page proved a crime. It did, however, show that someone had taken unusual steps to control what the family could see.
After Maya's therapy appointment, the girl took Richard's hand. “When Mommy was in the hospital, Peter came to visit you. He brought papers.”
Richard stopped. “What papers?”
“I don't know. You were crying. He said you should sign so the company could keep running. Mommy was asleep, and I was sitting with my rabbit.”
Richard remembered the hospital corridor, the paperwork, and the days blurred by grief. He had signed routine business documents, but he could not remember every page. Peter had been a trusted adviser then.
“Did you see what was on them?”
Maya shook her head. “I saw him put one paper in his bag. Later, he told me Mommy wanted me to be brave and not ask questions.”
Richard told Elaine what Maya remembered. They would compare the hospital dates with the trust amendments and corporate filings.
That night, an unknown number sent Richard a message: Stop looking for a page that was never meant for you. The next thing you lose will be your daughter.
May you like
Richard handed the threat to police and did not respond.
The investigation was no longer about money alone. Someone was still trying to silence his family.
