Chapter 7 - THE DOCTOR WHO LOOKED AWAY
Dr. Martin Kessler came to Genevieve’s room at 3:00 p.m. with two lawyers.
Sarah sent the lawyers back into the hall.
Kessler looked like he had not slept.
“I should have said something earlier.”
Genevieve stared at him. “That sentence is getting popular.”
He flinched.
Kessler had delivered Nora. He had also been the first doctor to tell Genevieve that her paralysis might be temporary.
“What did you know?” Sarah asked.
Kessler rubbed his hands together.
“Genevieve’s labs showed traces of a sedative when she was admitted for labor. Not enough to explain everything, but enough that I questioned it.”
“Why didn’t you report it?”
“I did.”
“To whom?”
“The chief medical officer. Then Eleanor Vale called me.”
Genevieve felt cold.
Kessler continued. “She said Genevieve had been having panic attacks and taking medication privately. She told me the family wanted discretion.”
“I was taking prenatal vitamins.”
“I know that now.”
Sarah’s voice sharpened. “What did Eleanor offer you?”
“Nothing.”
“What did she threaten?”
His silence answered.
Finally Kessler said, “She reminded me the Vale Foundation funded my research program.”
Genevieve looked away.
Kessler reached into his briefcase.
“There’s something else.”
He produced a pharmacy report.
The sedative had been dispensed six times over the previous month under Genevieve’s name.
Genevieve had never filled it.
The pickup signature belonged to someone named Naomi Beck.
Julian’s executive assistant.
Sarah asked, “Where is Naomi now?”
Kessler’s face tightened.
“No one at Vale Capital has seen her since yesterday morning.”
Ortiz called as if on cue.
They had found Naomi’s car at a train station.
Her purse was on the front seat.
May you like
Her phone was under the brake pedal.
And there was blood on the driver’s door.
