Chapter 8 - THE PATENT THEY STOLE FROM A DEAD MAN
Faith Willis sat at my desk holding her brother's photograph.
For several minutes, she didn't speak.
Then she asked a question I would remember forever.
"How much was Daniel's work worth?"
Richard looked toward me.
I nodded.
"Tell her."
He opened the financial report.
"Blackwood Medical Investments has raised approximately one hundred and twenty million dollars using technology connected to the Second Dawn program."
Faith stared.
"One hundred and twenty million?"
Richard nodded.
"That doesn't mean Daniel owned all of it. But the patent records suggest his contributions may have been substantial."
Faith looked down at the photograph.
Her voice broke.
"We couldn't afford his funeral."
I felt something tighten inside my chest.
Victor had built a fortune using technology Daniel helped develop.
Meanwhile, Faith had spent years working minimum-wage jobs, borrowing money, and fighting eviction.
I looked toward Richard.
"Get independent patent counsel involved."
He nodded.
"Already arranged."
Faith wiped her eyes.
"I don't care about being rich."
I looked at her.
"I know."
"I just want people to know what Daniel did."
I nodded.
"They should."
She looked toward my legs.
"And I want the technology to help people."
Her voice trembled.
"Not hurt them."
For the first time, I understood why she'd stayed at my mansion despite my cruelty.
She hadn't come looking for revenge.
She'd come because she couldn't bear watching another person suffer without trying to help.
The following week, investigators obtained additional research records.
They discovered that several trial participants had received incomplete information about risks.
Some adverse events appeared to have been improperly reported.
And the original project had been redirected toward attracting investors rather than validating patient safety.
The case expanded quickly.
Regulators became involved.
Former employees came forward.
Medical professionals began reviewing the evidence.
Then something unexpected happened.
A former Blackwood technician contacted Faith.
His name was Andrew Mills.
He claimed Daniel had left a second notebook.
Faith met him at her attorney's office.
Andrew looked exhausted.
"I should have spoken sooner."
Faith stared.
"Why didn't you?"
He lowered his eyes.
"Victor threatened to ruin my career."
I sat quietly beside her.
Andrew opened his briefcase.
Inside was a thick blue notebook.
Faith recognized it immediately.
"That's Daniel's."
Andrew nodded.
"He asked me to keep it safe."
She carefully opened the cover.
Her brother's handwriting filled the pages.
Mechanical drawings.
Research notes.
Test results.
And a list of concerns about the modified device.
Then she reached the final entry.
Her hands began trembling.
Victor plans to use a high-profile patient to demonstrate the treatment.
The patient doesn't know the full protocol.
Faith looked toward me.
I felt cold.
She continued reading.
If the demonstration succeeds, the investors will release another fifty million dollars.
I stared.
"What patient?"
Andrew looked directly at me.
"You."
The room went silent.
May you like
Then he added something that made my stomach drop.
"Dominic, your accident wasn't an accident."
