Chapter 7 - The Last Eight Days of Eleanor Bennett
Grace had believed her mother's death was the end of a long illness.
Now she was wondering whether someone had made that illness worse.
Rebecca immediately cautioned her.
"Grace, these records raise serious questions, but they don't establish the cause of your mother's death."
Grace nodded.
She understood.
But understanding didn't make the fear disappear.
"My mother was getting stronger," she whispered.
Jonathan looked toward her.
"What?"
"Two weeks before she died, she was walking around the apartment. She cooked dinner. She even helped Lucas study."
Tears filled her eyes.
"Then she suddenly got worse."
Lucas lowered his head.
Grace continued.
"The doctors said complications were possible."
Rebecca examined the records.
"We should request an independent review of her treatment."
Grace nodded.
"Please."
The investigation moved quickly enough to reveal new concerns.
Several medication orders in Eleanor's final hospital chart were inconsistent with the documented treatment plan.
One carried the electronic authorization of a physician who said she had not approved it.
Another had been entered using administrative credentials associated with an outside medical contractor.
That contractor had previously worked with Doyle Hospitality Consulting.
Grace sat across from Detective Sarah Mitchell as the details were explained.
"Are you saying someone changed my mother's medication?" Grace asked.
"Someone altered parts of the electronic record," Mitchell answered. "We're investigating whether those changes affected her care."
Grace gripped the edge of the table.
"Could it have killed her?"
"We need a medical expert's assessment before making that determination."
Grace nodded slowly.
She didn't want guesses.
She wanted the truth.
That evening, Jonathan visited the restaurant to meet its new temporary manager.
Grace was working a shortened shift after choosing to return.
Her uniform had been replaced.
But walking beneath those chandeliers still made her uneasy.
She saw Jonathan near the entrance.
He approached carefully.
"How are you holding up?"
Grace managed a tired smile.
"I've had better weeks."
He nodded.
"I imagine."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Grace looked toward Victoria's former table.
"Why did you marry her?"
The question escaped before she could stop it.
She immediately regretted it.
"I'm sorry. That's personal."
Jonathan gave a sad smile.
"It's a fair question."
He looked toward the windows.
"When I met Victoria, she seemed kind. Confident. She volunteered at charity events and spoke passionately about helping disadvantaged families."
Grace swallowed.
"And then?"
"I began noticing how differently she treated people who couldn't offer her anything."
His expression darkened.
"I kept making excuses."
Grace looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because admitting I'd married the wrong person meant admitting I'd ignored things I shouldn't have."
She understood that feeling.
Her mother had once told her that recognizing a mistake required more courage than defending it.
Jonathan continued.
"We've been living separately for several months."
Grace blinked.
"You have?"
"Yes. Tonight wasn't a reconciliation dinner. I came because she requested a meeting about the foundation."
He paused.
"Instead, I found her humiliating you."
Grace looked down.
He added quietly, "I'm glad I arrived when I did."
She nodded.
"So am I."
Then his phone rang.
Detective Mitchell.
Jonathan answered.
His expression changed.
"What?"
Grace felt cold.
He listened.
Then slowly looked at her.
"Grace, investigators recovered an old recording from my father's private office."
Her heart began pounding.
"What recording?"
Jonathan swallowed.
"It was made two days before he died."
"And?"
His voice broke.
"My father said Victoria was trying to destroy Eleanor Bennett."
Grace stared.
Then Jonathan delivered the horrifying part.
"He also said Martin Doyle wasn't acting alone."
"Who was helping him?"
May you like
Jonathan closed his eyes.
"My father's personal physician."
