Chapter 5
My security team arrived in twenty-two minutes.
Vivian spent all twenty-two trying to negotiate.
First politely.
Then legally.
Then with threats.
“You have no idea whose family you are involving yourself with,” she said.
“I know exactly whose family. The Ashfords. Old money. Old sins.”
Melissa snapped, “You’re making assumptions.”
“No. I’m making recordings.”
Her face went white.
I tapped the device in my pocket.
It had been recording since Vivian said medical matter.
Grant sat on the hallway bench with his head in his hands.
Claire stood near the doorway, still clutching the spoon.
She would not put it down.
I did not ask her to.
When my head of security, Marcus Reed, reached the east wing with four men behind him, Vivian’s confidence finally cracked.
“Mr. Hale,” Marcus said. “Police are delayed by flooding. Our legal counsel is on the line. Medical unit is five minutes out.”
Claire heard medical and recoiled.
“No hospitals.”
I turned to her.
“You need a doctor.”
“No injections.”
Her eyes were wild now.
“No sedation. No pills from Vivian. No white rooms.”
Vivian sighed.
“You see? This is why—”
I cut her off.
“One more word and I let my lawyers make your name a national event before breakfast.”
Vivian shut her mouth.
Marcus brought in Dr. Nina Patel, my private physician.
Claire allowed the exam only with the door open and me standing where she could see my hands.
Dr. Patel worked gently.
Too gently for Vivian’s liking.
“Malnutrition,” Dr. Patel said.
Vivian stiffened.
“Vitamin deficiency. Muscle wasting. Old untreated fractures in the fingers, likely from years ago. Scarring around both wrists.”
Grant made a low sound.
Claire looked away.
Melissa whispered, “This is ridiculous.”
Dr. Patel turned toward her.
“I’ve spent twelve years examining disaster survivors. Do not tell me what neglect looks like.”
I liked her even more than usual.
Marcus handed me a tablet.
“We found something.”
“What?”
“Blueprints. The east wing was renovated twenty years ago. The hidden service entrance to this room was added after the alleged drowning.”
Vivian whispered, “You had no right.”
I looked at Claire.
May you like
She was staring at the open hallway like it might vanish.
I said, “Tonight, rights begin with her.”
