Chapter 7: The Truth About My First Wife's Final Days
I read the anonymous message at least twenty times.
Your wife knows how Rebecca really died.
For several minutes, I couldn't move.
Rebecca had been dead for seven years. I had watched her suffer through months of treatment, held her hand in the hospital, and kissed her forehead when she took her final breath.
I had never questioned the circumstances of her death.
Cancer had taken my wife.
That was what the doctors told me.
That was what her medical records said.
That was what I had spent seven years accepting.
But now someone was suggesting Vanessa knew something I didn't.
I stepped into the hallway and called Patricia.
She answered almost immediately.
"Daniel? It's nearly midnight. Is everything okay?""
"No.""
I explained the message and forwarded the photograph of the beneficiary designation.
When I finished, she was silent.
"Patricia?""
"I'm looking at the document now.""
"Does it look legitimate?""
"I can't authenticate it from a photograph. We need the original and the complete trust records.""
"What about Rebecca's signature?""
"That will need professional examination.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Someone is telling me Vanessa knows how Rebecca died.""
Patricia's voice became serious.
"Do not confront her tonight.""
"Why not?""
"Because if there's evidence of wrongdoing, we need to preserve it. An emotional confrontation could cause someone to destroy documents or coordinate their stories.""
I looked toward Ethan's bedroom.
"Someone is threatening my son.""
"Then we need to act quickly, but carefully. I'll contact the appropriate authorities in the morning. You should also request Rebecca's complete medical records.""
I swallowed.
"Do you think someone could have deliberately changed that document?""
"I don't know. But we won't assume anything until we have evidence.""
After ending the call, I sat beside Ethan's bed.
He was sleeping peacefully.
I watched his little chest rise and fall.
Seven years earlier, I had promised Rebecca I would protect him.
Now I was beginning to understand that the people threatening him might have been connected to our family long before Vanessa and I met.
The following morning, I contacted Rebecca's former oncologist, Dr. Samuel Harris.
His office was in the same hospital where Rebecca had received treatment.
When I explained that I needed to review her medical history for legal reasons, his assistant arranged an appointment.
Before leaving Laura's house, I told her everything.
She listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she shook her head.
"Daniel, I knew Richard Mitchell was a terrible man, but I never imagined he would be connected to Rebecca's death.""
"Neither did I.""
"Are you sure Vanessa knows something?""
"Someone seems convinced she does.""
Laura looked toward Ethan, who was eating cereal at the kitchen table.
"Then don't let him hear any of this.""
"I won't.""
She reached for my hand.
"Be careful. You've already lost one person you loved. Don't let these people destroy what's left of your family.""
I nodded.
Then I kissed Ethan goodbye.
"I'll be back before dinner, buddy.""
He looked up.
"Promise?""
"Promise.""
Dr. Harris greeted me in his office.
He was older now, with silver hair and tired eyes.
When he recognized me, his expression softened.
"Daniel Carter. It's been a long time.""
"Yes, doctor.""
He gestured toward a chair.
"How is Ethan?""
"He's eight now.""
Dr. Harris smiled.
"Rebecca would have loved seeing him grow up.""
I looked down.
"That's actually why I'm here.""
His smile disappeared.
I placed the photograph of the beneficiary document on his desk.
"Do you recognize this?""
He adjusted his glasses.
After examining it, he shook his head.
"Not particularly. What is it?""
"An estate document dated three weeks before Rebecca died. It appears to contain a signature authorizing a change to her son's trust.""
Dr. Harris looked at me.
"Was Rebecca aware of it?""
"That's what I'm trying to find out.""
I hesitated.
Then I asked the question that had been torturing me.
"Was there anything unusual about her final weeks?""
He leaned back.
"Daniel, Rebecca was seriously ill. Her condition deteriorated rapidly toward the end.""
"I know.""
"Why are you asking?""
"Someone has suggested that her death may not have been what I believed.""
His expression became guarded.
"Are you suggesting someone interfered with her treatment?""
"I'm asking whether anything happened that I wasn't told about.""
Dr. Harris studied me for several seconds.
Then he opened a cabinet and retrieved a folder.
"There was one unusual incident.""
My heart began pounding.
"What incident?""
"About a month before Rebecca died, someone called our department requesting information about her treatment plan.""
"Who?""
"The caller identified herself as a family representative.""
"Vanessa?""
He shook his head.
"I don't remember the name. But I remember the conversation because the person asked whether certain medications could be administered without Rebecca's husband being informed.""
I felt cold.
"Did you tell her?""
"Absolutely not. We explained that any treatment decisions would be discussed with Rebecca and her authorized medical representatives.""
"Was the caller allowed to visit?""
Dr. Harris examined the folder.
"One visitor was added to the approved list shortly afterward.""
"Who?""
He turned a page.
Then he looked at me.
"Richard Mitchell.""
I gripped the arms of my chair.
"Richard Mitchell visited my dying wife?""
"According to the records, yes.""
"When?""
"Twice.""
I struggled to breathe.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
Dr. Harris looked uncomfortable.
"At the time, Rebecca was receiving visitors through several family arrangements. We weren't aware of any conflict.""
"Did I approve those visits?""
He examined the record again.
"Your signature appears on the visitor authorization.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
He turned the page toward me.
There was a photocopy of a document.
My name was written at the bottom.
The signature looked familiar.
But I had never authorized Richard Mitchell to visit Rebecca.
I leaned closer.
"Doctor, I did not sign this.""
Dr. Harris frowned.
"Then this needs further examination.""
I took a photograph of the document.
"Was there anything else?""
He hesitated.
"Rebecca once asked to speak with me privately.""
"When?""
"About two weeks before she died.""
"What did she say?""
He looked toward the window.
"She asked whether her medical records could be protected from unauthorized access. She was concerned someone was attempting to obtain information about her financial arrangements.""
My throat tightened.
"Did she name anyone?""
Dr. Harris nodded slowly.
"She mentioned Richard.""
I stood.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because she specifically requested confidentiality, and I had no reason to believe you were involved.""
I sat down again.
"What else did she say?""
He searched his memory.
"She told me that if anything happened to her paperwork, I should contact Harold Bennett.""
I felt my stomach turn.
Rebecca had known.
She had suspected something.
And she had tried to protect Ethan.
I thanked Dr. Harris and left with the information he was permitted to provide.
As I walked through the hospital corridor, I called Harold.
He answered on the second ring.
"Daniel?""
"Rebecca knew Richard was trying to access the trust.""
There was a long silence.
Then Harold said, "I was afraid you might discover that.""
"What aren't you telling me?""
He sighed.
"Can you come to my office this afternoon?""
"Why?""
"Because I found something in Rebecca's original estate file that I didn't include in the first review.""
My stomach tightened.
"What?""
"A letter she wrote shortly before her death.""
I stopped walking.
"What letter?""
"A letter addressed to you.""
I arrived at Harold's office just after two.
He had already placed a sealed envelope on his desk.
It was smaller than the letter I had found in Rebecca's old desk.
My name was written on the front.
I recognized the handwriting immediately.
Harold pushed it toward me.
"Rebecca asked me to keep this separately.""
I opened it.
The letter contained only a few paragraphs.
Daniel,
If this letter has reached you, then I was unable to explain everything in person.
I am worried about Richard Mitchell. He has approached me several times about Ethan's trust. I have refused to give him access.
I recently discovered that someone has been communicating with him on my behalf without my permission.
I don't know who it is.
I suspect that person has access to our private documents.
Please be careful about anyone who offers to help you after I'm gone.
Most importantly, never allow anyone to convince you that Ethan's future depends on giving them control.
I love you both.
Rebecca.
I lowered the paper.
Harold looked at me.
"She was frightened.""
I swallowed.
"Did she ever tell you who she suspected?""
"No.""
"Did she mention Vanessa?""
Harold frowned.
"Who?""
"My second wife.""
He shook his head.
"I didn't know her at the time.""
I stared at the letter.
Then I noticed something.
There was a faint handwritten note in the bottom corner.
I leaned closer.
*Ask Daniel about the blue suitcase.*
My heart stopped.
The blue suitcase.
Rebecca had one.
It had belonged to her mother and was usually kept in the attic.
I remembered seeing it after her funeral.
But I had never opened it.
I looked at Harold.
"Do you know what this means?""
He shook his head.
"No. But I suspect Rebecca left something important inside.""
I stood immediately.
"I need to go home.""
Harold caught my attention.
"Daniel.""
I turned.
"Be careful. If someone has been trying to gain control of Ethan's inheritance for years, they may not stop now that you're asking questions.""
I nodded.
Then I left.
When I arrived at Laura's house, Ethan was sitting in the backyard.
He was building a small tower out of wooden blocks.
I approached him and crouched.
"Hey, buddy.""
He smiled.
"Daddy! Look!""
He showed me the tower.
"That's amazing.""
He looked at my face.
"Did you find something?""
I hesitated.
"A few things.""
"Is it about Mommy?""
I stared at him.
"Why do you ask?""
He looked down.
"Vanessa said Mommy kept secrets.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"When did she say that?""
"Yesterday, before you took me away.""
I sat beside him.
"What else did she say?""
Ethan rubbed his thumb against the wooden block.
"She said Mommy didn't want you to know everything.""
I took a slow breath.
"Did she say anything about the blue suitcase?""
Ethan looked up suddenly.
"Yes.""
My heart started racing.
"What?""
He pointed toward Laura's garage.
"Vanessa asked me about it.""
I went completely still.
"When?""
"Last week.""
"What did she want?""
"She asked if I knew where Mommy's old blue suitcase was.""
I stared at him.
"What did you tell her?""
"I said I saw it in the attic when we played hide-and-seek.""
I stood immediately.
"Laura!""
My sister came outside.
"What's wrong?""
I looked at her.
"Someone has been searching our house for Rebecca's blue suitcase.""
Laura's expression changed.
"Then we'd better find it before they do.""
And just as we were preparing to leave, my phone rang.
The caller ID showed Vanessa's number.
I answered.
Her voice was shaking.
"Daniel, you need to listen to me.""
"What now?""
"Richard knows you're investigating Rebecca's death.""
I looked toward Ethan.
"How?""
"Because he called me.""
"What did he say?""
She began crying.
"He said if you find what's inside that blue suitcase, everything will be over.""
I gripped the phone.
"What's inside it, Vanessa?""
May you like
She whispered five words.
"The proof they killed Rebecca.""
