Chapter 9 - THE DOCTOR’S REPORT
Dr. Feldman arrived at Sterling House at midnight.
Alexander placed the report on the desk. “Did you write this?”
Feldman read it. “No.”
“Your signature.”
“Copied.”
Eleanor’s face hardened. “Be careful, Doctor.”
Alexander turned. “No. You be careful.”
Feldman explained that Eleanor’s office had requested a general consultation about grief transitions.
He had never recommended residential placement.
He had specifically advised against abrupt caregiver separation.
“Why?” Alexander asked.
“Because Noah had already lost his mother.”
Feldman continued. “Removing another attachment figure without preparation could reinforce abandonment fears.”
Alexander leaned back. “Did you ever call his attachment to Emma unhealthy?”
“No.”
“Fixation?”
“No.”
“Dependency?”
“No.”
Feldman looked at me. “I told Mrs. Sterling that Noah appeared securely attached to Ms. Carter.”
Eleanor finally spoke. “And I told you staff attachment cannot substitute for family structure.”
“That was your opinion.”
The fake report had been built around a real doctor’s name.
Then Feldman asked to speak to Alexander privately.
Alexander refused. “If it concerns Noah, Emma stays.”
Then Feldman said, “Your son told me something during our first session.”
Alexander’s face tightened. “What?”
“He said he sometimes hides when the house gets quiet.”
“Where?”
“Behind the library curtains.”
Feldman continued. “He said he hides because people talk about sending Emma away.”
Feldman added, “He also said a woman told him he could keep Emma if he picked the right lady at the party.”
“Which woman?”
“He wouldn’t say.”
Someone had bribed a five-year-old emotionally.
“Wake Noah?”
Feldman shook his head. “Not tonight.”
He answered. Listened. His expression changed.
“What?” Alexander asked.
Dominic looked at me. “We found the number that threatened your niece.”
My hands went cold. “Who?”
“It was activated using a corporate card.”
May you like
Alexander asked, “Whose?”
“Sterling Family Office.”
