Chapter 2 - The Bottle
Nicholas ordered the front doors locked before Claire reached the staircase.
Walter Bell appeared with two security men. "Nobody leaves," Nicholas said. Claire laughed nervously. "You cannot be serious." "You hit me. I am very serious."
Walter helped Nicholas back into the wheelchair while Hannah collected the scattered medication.
She held up one white tablet.
"This is not what the label says it is."
Claire folded her arms.
"You're a nurse, not a pharmacist."
"Correct. Which is why I photographed it and sent the image to one."
Claire's eyes flicked toward Hannah's pocket.
That tiny movement told Nicholas more than the denial.
Hannah described the pattern: confusion, tremors, blood-pressure drops, and weakness beyond what the injury explained.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Nicholas asked.
"Because I wanted proof before I accused someone in this house."
"Someone?" Claire snapped. "Say my name if you're accusing me."
Hannah looked directly at her.
"I haven't accused you yet."
The word yet landed like a blade.
Walter took the bottle and placed it inside a clear evidence pouch.
"Who has access to his medication?"
"Me," Hannah said. "The night nurse twice a week. Dr. Feldman. And Claire, because Nicholas kept allowing her to bring his evening pills."
Nicholas closed his eyes.
He remembered Claire bringing the pills with a glass of water every night. What had felt like devotion now felt contaminated.
Claire suddenly reached for her phone.
Vincent, one of the guards, stopped her.
"Give it to me."
"Absolutely not."
Nicholas opened his eyes.
"Claire."
She looked at him.
"Give him the phone."
Her jaw tightened.
Then a message lit the screen before she could turn it over.
Hannah saw only five words.
But Nicholas saw them too.
DON'T LET REBECCA WAKE UP.
Nicholas went completely still.
May you like
"Rebecca," he whispered.
Claire's face lost every trace of color.
