Chapter 14 - Too Early
I was thirty-four weeks and six days pregnant.
Too early.
Not catastrophically early, Dr. Patel told me, but early enough that everyone moved faster than they wanted me to notice.
They gave me medication to slow the contractions and steroids to help the baby’s lungs if she came anyway.
I lay under fluorescent lights listening to my daughter’s heartbeat.
Fast. Strong. Stubborn.
Just like I needed her to be.
Lena stayed until midnight.
Detective Chen left only after telling hospital security that Ethan and Margaret were not allowed on the floor.
At 1:17 a.m., my phone lit up.
Unknown number.
I almost ignored it.
Then a message appeared.
THIS IS RICHARD CARVER. I NEED TO SPEAK WITH YOU WITHOUT MARGARET OR ETHAN PRESENT.
I showed Lena.
“Do not answer,” she said.
Another message arrived.
YOU DO NOT HAVE THE FULL STORY.
Lena took the phone from me and typed:
ALL COMMUNICATION THROUGH COUNSEL.
Carver called her within five minutes.
She stepped into the hall.
When she returned, her face had changed.
“What?”
“He says Margaret lied to him about why she wanted the documents prepared.”
“Convenient.”
“Very. But he also says Ethan gave him a financial projection showing what he expected to control if he obtained sole custody after birth.”
My throat tightened.
“How much?”
“Enough to cover every debt he has.”
Of course.
Lena sat down.
“He’s offering to turn over his files in exchange for being treated as a witness rather than a participant.”
“Can he do that?”
“That’s for prosecutors to decide.”
My phone buzzed again.
This time the message came from Thomas.
I FOUND SOMETHING IN ETHAN’S OFFICE. YOU NEED TO SEE IT.
Attached was a photograph of a handwritten list.
At the top, Ethan had written:
AFTER DELIVERY.
Below it were six steps.
May you like
The last one read:
FILE FOR EMERGENCY CUSTODY BEFORE CLAIRE LEAVES HOSPITAL.
