Chapter 4 - THE DEATH CERTIFICATE
Detective Morgan immediately requested the original medical records.
The death certificate listed heart failure.
But the hospital records told a different story.
There had been unexplained medication in Robert's bloodstream.
A prescription he had never been given.
And the doctor who signed the certificate had received a large payment from a company owned by Vanessa's family.
Adrian couldn't breathe.
“My father was murdered.”
Morgan nodded.
“It's possible.”
“Why?”
“That is what we need to determine.”
Then Daniel called again.
This time, Adrian answered.
“Where is my daughter?”
“Safe.”
“If you hurt her—”
“I won't.”
“Then bring her home.”
“You want her home?”
“Yes.”
“Then stop protecting the people who caused this.”
Adrian clenched his jaw.
“Who?”
Daniel was silent.
Then:
“Your wife.”
Adrian stared at the phone.
“Vanessa?”
“She didn't start this.”
“Then who did?”
“You'll find out.”
The call ended.
Minutes later, detectives discovered a hidden safe inside the basement office.
Inside were financial records.
Payments.
Medical files.
Property transfers.
And one old photograph.
Adrian picked it up.
It showed his father standing beside Vanessa.
Years before Adrian had met her.
On the back was a date.
Two months before Robert's death.
Adrian stared.
“Why would my father know Vanessa?”
Morgan looked at the photograph.
“Maybe he knew exactly who she was.”
Then they found a second photograph.
Adrian as a teenager.
Standing beside his father.
Behind them stood a young Vanessa.
Watching him.
Adrian's stomach turned.
“She knew me.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
Morgan examined the date.
“Since you were sixteen.”
Adrian remembered something.
His father had always warned him:
Never trust someone who wants access to your home before they earn your trust.
At the time, Adrian thought it was ordinary parental advice.
Now it sounded like a warning.
Then another document surfaced.
A life insurance policy.
Robert Hale.
Beneficiary:
Vanessa Hale.
Adrian stared at the name.
“Vanessa wasn't my father's wife.”
“No.”
“She was his business partner.”
Morgan nodded.
“And after his death, she inherited a significant portion of his estate.”
Adrian felt dizzy.
“Then why did she marry me?”
Morgan didn't answer.
Because the answer was becoming obvious.
Money.
Control.
Access.
And Lily.
Then Adrian noticed a second beneficiary listed beneath Vanessa's name.
Daniel.
His own brother.
Adrian looked at the document.
“Daniel was involved.”
Morgan nodded slowly.
“Maybe.”
Then Adrian heard Lily's voice from the hallway.
“Dad?”
He turned.
Lily was standing there.
Alone.
Adrian ran to her.
“Lily!”
He pulled her into his arms.
“Where were you?”
She whispered:
“Uncle Daniel let me go.”
“Why?”
“He said he was sorry.”
“Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head.
Then she looked directly at Detective Morgan.
“But Dad…”
“What?”
“Uncle Daniel said Vanessa isn't the person I'm supposed to be afraid of.”
Adrian's blood ran cold.
“Who, then?”
May you like
Lily pointed toward the basement.
“Grandpa.”
