Chapter 3 - The Doctor Who Disappeared After the Shooting
The missing doctor's name was Daniel Reeves.
He'd been the first surgeon to examine Caleb after the attack.
And according to Dr. Bennett, he'd raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the shooting before abruptly resigning.
Caleb sat in his wheelchair beside the bedroom window.
I stood near the dresser.
"Why would a surgeon disappear?" I asked.
Caleb looked toward the lake.
"Because someone wanted him quiet."
I swallowed.
"About what?"
He hesitated.
Then said something unexpected.
"The bullet that damaged my spine wasn't fired from the street."
I stared at him.
"What?"
"The police initially believed three men attacked us from across the road."
"That's what everyone said."
Caleb nodded.
"But Reeves told me the trajectory of one injury didn't match that account."
My stomach tightened.
"Then where did it come from?"
Caleb looked at me.
"Closer."
The room seemed to grow colder.
His driver had pulled him behind the armored SUV.
His guards had surrounded him.
And someone nearby had fired the shot that changed his life.
"One of your own men?" I whispered.
Caleb didn't answer.
He didn't have to.
Then Gabriel Shaw entered.
His expression was serious.
"Boss, Patricia is gone."
Caleb's jaw tightened.
"When?"
"She left the estate at six this morning."
"Where?"
"We're tracing her movements through lawful channels."
Gabriel placed a folder on the desk.
"There's something else."
Caleb looked up.
"Go ahead."
"Dr. Reeves sent a letter to your attorney before he disappeared."
My heart began racing.
"What does it say?"
Gabriel opened the folder.
Inside was a copy of a handwritten note.
Mr. Mercer, I believe your injuries resulted from an attack involving someone inside your personal security detail.
Caleb's expression hardened.
The letter continued.
I was instructed to alter portions of my preliminary medical report.
I covered my mouth.
When I refused, my family received threats.
Caleb closed his eyes.
Then Gabriel turned the page.
A photograph showed a black SUV parked outside the hospital.
Beside it stood Owen Pike.
Talking to a man in a gray coat.
I leaned closer.
"Who's that?"
Gabriel looked troubled.
"His name is Vincent Cross."
Caleb went still.
For a moment, I thought he'd stopped breathing.
"Vincent?"
Gabriel nodded.
I looked between them.
"Who is he?"
Caleb's voice became cold.
"My older brother."
I stared.
I'd worked at the Mercer estate for nearly two years.
Nobody had ever mentioned a brother.
May you like
Then Caleb whispered:
"Vincent died fifteen years ago."
