Chapter 7 - The Private Clinic
The clinic stood behind a row of bare trees outside the city, its windows tinted and its entrance guarded by a desk that required visitors to show identification. Adrian signed the visitor log. Naomi waited beside him, wearing a borrowed coat and carrying the notebook photographs on her phone.
A nurse told them Evelyn was resting and could not receive visitors.
“She’s my mother,” Adrian said.
“And I’m her son’s guest,” Naomi added. “We’re asking for a brief visit.”
The nurse glanced at a note on the screen. “Dr. Halden has requested that no one discuss financial matters with her. She needs calm.”
Adrian’s face hardened. “I’m not here to discuss money.”
They were finally led to a small room. Evelyn lay in bed, pale and sleepy, an IV line taped to her hand. She looked smaller than Naomi remembered.
“Mom,” Adrian said, sitting beside her. “Do you know me?”
Evelyn blinked slowly. “Of course I do. You were always late for breakfast.”
He took her hand. “Did you sign a trust amendment giving Celeste control of your estate?”
“Did you ask Dr. Halden to change your medication?”
“And I’m her doctor. She’s experiencing confusion and fatigue. Stress could worsen it.”
Naomi noticed that he never checked Evelyn’s pulse or asked her how she felt. He looked only at Adrian.
“Can we have her medication list?” Naomi asked.
Halden’s eyes narrowed. “You are not authorized to request medical records.”
Halden hesitated. “Ms. Vale has designated Celeste.”
Halden called security. Adrian led Naomi toward the exit, but before they reached the lobby, a young nurse caught Naomi’s sleeve.
“Don’t let them discharge her tomorrow,” she whispered. “The medication chart doesn’t match the orders in her file.”
The paper contained a list of drug names and times. Several entries had been crossed out and rewritten.
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At the bottom was a note:
ASK WHO AUTHORIZED THE NIGHT DOSE.
