Chapter 4 - The Report That Disappeared

Nora answered my call only because the hospital had already told her Lily was stable.

"This is Caleb Hart," I said. "I owe you an apology."

"You owe your daughter a doctor and your center an investigation. The apology can wait."

"Lily says you saved her."

"I did." Nora's voice cracked on the second word. "I saw her slip. I jumped in with my shoes on. Your security guard treated me like a criminal while I was still coughing up pool water."

"I am sorry."

"Then say it where everybody heard you accuse me."

I promised I would. She went quiet, then said, "I wasn't supposed to be there today. Vivian fired me on Monday."

"Why?"

"The gate was unsafe. I only came back today to get the dive bag she refused to send me. I was crossing the deck when I saw Lily fall."

"I filed a written safety report. That gate wouldn't latch, the chime had been disconnected, and they kept moving the lifeguard chair so donors could take pictures. She said I was creating a hostile workplace."

I stared at the hospital's beige wall. Anna had built the center on one idea: a child should never have to depend on luck around water.

"Do you have a copy?"

"My notebook has the date. Vivian kept the signed form."

I returned to Briarwood after Grace came to sit with Lily. The event was still going. Champagne glasses chimed beside a banner reading SAFE WATER FOR EVERY CHILD.

Vivian intercepted me at the office. "You look exhausted. Go back to your little girl."

"I want Nora's safety report."

Her smile vanished. "She's a disgruntled former employee."

"Then let me read what she wrote."

"It's privileged personnel material."

"I'm on the board."

Vivian handed me a folder from her desk. Inside was a maintenance approval bearing my electronic signature. Six days earlier, I had supposedly authorized postponing the service-gate alarm repair.

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