Chapter 9 - THE NECKLACE THAT HELD A HUNDRED NAMES
Roman Hayes had never believed his brother was a hero.
Julian was stubborn.
Impulsive.
Sometimes reckless.
He argued with Roman constantly about the family's businesses.
He refused to accept money he hadn't earned.
And he insisted powerful people had a responsibility to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.
Roman had often dismissed him as naive.
Now he understood Julian had been fighting something far more dangerous than financial fraud.
Maeve sat beside Roman as Detective Mitchell explained the necklace.
It contained a tiny encrypted storage device.
Investigators had recovered it from Lily's belongings.
The files were being examined through proper forensic procedures.
Roman listened silently.
Then the detective said:
"We found patient records."
Maeve's heart pounded.
"How many?"
"More than one hundred."
The room became still.
The files documented suspicious transfers from St. Catherine's and several affiliated facilities.
Some involved adults.
Others involved newborns and children.
Maeve covered her mouth.
The detective continued.
"Several records suggest fraudulent changes to legal identity documents and adoption-related paperwork."
Roman's expression hardened.
"Are you saying children were taken from their families?"
"We're investigating possible unlawful custody transfers and related fraud."
Maeve felt sick.
She remembered working in the emergency department.
The vulnerable mothers.
The frightened children.
The exhausted parents asking questions.
How many had been lied to?
How many families had been separated?
Roman looked down.
His shipping businesses had moved medical equipment and supplies for St. Catherine's.
He had trusted Victor to manage the contracts.
Now he wondered whether those same logistics networks had been used to conceal criminal activity.
"Detective," he said quietly, "I'll provide every company record you need."
"Thank you."
"And if any of my employees were involved, I won't protect them."
Maeve looked at him.
For the first time, she saw something different.
Not the man rumored to control the city.
A man beginning to understand the cost of his own power.
Over the following weeks, the investigation expanded.
Several medical administrators were suspended.
Financial accounts were frozen.
Families were contacted.
Independent advocates helped review suspicious cases.
Some patients were reunited with relatives.
Others began difficult legal processes to recover their identities and rights.
Maeve assisted through her attorney by explaining hospital procedures and identifying inconsistencies in the records.
Her nursing license remained suspended.
But her knowledge mattered again.
For the first time in eight months, she felt useful.
Not as a waitress.
Not as someone wealthy people could summon.
As a healthcare professional who understood what had gone wrong.
Then an investigator contacted her.
"Miss Carter, we've located another document."
Maeve looked up.
"What document?"
"A patient transfer record bearing your signature."
Her stomach tightened.
"Another forgery?"
"Possibly."
"Whose record?"
The investigator hesitated.
"Your father's."
Maeve stopped breathing.
"My father?"
"Yes."
The document listed her father, Daniel Carter, as having been enrolled in a private medical assistance program after his stroke.
Maeve stared.
"I never authorized that."
The investigator continued.
"There's a second document."
"What?"
"An insurance policy."
Maeve felt cold.
"Whose?"
"Your father's."
She swallowed.
"Who's the beneficiary?"
May you like
The investigator answered quietly.
"A shell company controlled by Dr. Adrian Vance."
