Chapter 7: The Blood Test That Never Belonged to Me
I read the hospital report three times.
Each time, the words became more difficult to accept.
The blood sample collected after my accident had been replaced.
The replacement had been authorized by Margaret Langford.
And according to the laboratory records, the result had indicated the presence of a substance that could have seriously compromised my ability to drive.
I looked at Thomas.
“Tell me this is fake.””
He examined the document again.
“I can't tell you that yet.””
“Then tell me how Margaret had access to my hospital records.””
He didn't answer.
I turned toward Jonathan.
“You were there that night. Did you know about this?””
My uncle looked uncomfortable.
“I knew Margaret had information about the accident.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
He rubbed his forehead.
“I didn't know she had interfered with the laboratory results.””
“Did my father know?””
Jonathan looked down.
“Yes.””
The room became painfully quiet.
I felt something inside me break.
My father had known.
He had known that someone had tampered with my medical records, and he had apparently spent years negotiating with the person responsible.
“Why didn't he tell me?””
Jonathan's voice was barely audible.
“Because he believed the original test could be recovered.””
“Recovered from where?””
“Margaret.””
I turned toward Thomas.
“Did my father ever obtain the original sample?””
“No.””
“Then how could he prove the replacement was fraudulent?””
“He couldn't. Not conclusively.””
I pushed the report away.
“So he signed an agreement with her because she threatened to destroy my reputation using evidence she had manufactured herself?””
Thomas nodded.
“That's what I believe happened.””
I laughed once.
It wasn't a happy sound.
“My father spent six years trying to protect me from a crime he never told me about.””
Jonathan stepped forward.
“Evelyn, he was trying to do what he thought was best.””
I looked at him.
“And what were you trying to do?””
He stopped.
“Were you helping him protect me? Or were you helping Margaret protect herself?””
He said nothing.
I picked up the report.
“Daniel, I want the hospital contacted immediately. I want the original laboratory records, chain-of-custody documentation, and the names of everyone who accessed my medical file.””
Daniel nodded.
“I'll arrange it.””
“And Thomas, I want an independent forensic examination of every signature connected to the financial transfers.””
“Understood.””
Jonathan moved toward the door.
“I'm leaving.””
I didn't stop him.
But as he reached the handle, I spoke.
“Uncle Jonathan?””
He turned.
“If I discover that you helped Margaret manufacture evidence against me, I will not protect you because we're related.””
His face hardened.
“Your father would never have wanted this.””
“Then you should have thought about that before you betrayed him.””
He walked out.
Thomas remained.
For several minutes, he studied the documents.
Then he opened his briefcase and removed a small notebook.
“Your father kept this during the final months of his life.””
I took it.
The pages contained dates, names, and short notes.
Some were ordinary reminders.
Others were written in capital letters.
*MARGARET — ORIGINAL SAMPLE.*
*ROBERT — LEDGER.*
*JONATHAN — FINAL TRANSFER.*
On the final page, my father had written:
If Evelyn discovers the truth, she must understand that the accident was not an accident.
I stopped breathing.
I read the sentence again.
Then I looked up.
“What does this mean?””
Thomas's expression changed.
“I was afraid you would find that.””
“Was my car accident deliberate?””
“I don't know.””
“Did my father suspect it was?””
“He suspected someone had tampered with the vehicle.””
I gripped the notebook.
“Who?””
“He never identified anyone.””
“Why didn't he tell the police?””
“He tried.””
“When?””
“Shortly after the accident. But the mechanic who examined the vehicle changed his statement.””
“Who was the mechanic?””
Thomas checked his notes.
“His name was Peter Lawson.””
I immediately opened my phone.
“Find him.””
Thomas nodded.
“I'll have someone contact him.””
“No. I want his address and employment history. I want to know whether he's still working.””
Thomas made a call.
While he spoke, Daniel returned with an update from the hospital.
“Evelyn, I have the first response from the medical records department.””
“What did they say?””
“They confirmed that a correction was made to the original laboratory entry.””
“Who requested it?””
“An external authorization was attached to the file.””
“Margaret?””
Daniel shook his head.
“No. The authorization came through a medical consultant named Dr. Samuel Whitmore.””
I frowned.
“Was he employed by the hospital?””
“Not according to the hospital's records. He was an independent consultant.””
“Who paid him?””
Daniel checked the document.
“Langford Strategic Partners.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Margaret had created an entire network around my father's company, and now it appeared that network extended into the medical system.
“Can we locate him?””
“His consulting company was dissolved three years ago.””
“Address?””
“An office in Connecticut.””
I looked at Thomas.
“Get me his contact information.””
Thomas ended his call.
“Peter Lawson is alive. He currently owns an auto repair shop outside Philadelphia.””
“Can we speak with him?””
“He agreed to meet tomorrow.””
I nodded.
Then Daniel's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
His expression became serious.
“Evelyn, there's another issue.””
“What now?””
“The company's records room was accessed again.””
I stood.
“By whom?””
“Someone used Mr. Collins's credentials.””
I looked toward Thomas.
“Was Mr. Collins with us?””
“Yes.””
Daniel nodded.
“Then someone has stolen his login.””
“What's missing?””
“An archive box containing the original acquisition records and several historical insurance files.””
I felt a chill run down my back.
“Insurance files?””
Daniel opened the report.
“Yes. Including the vehicle insurance documentation from your accident.””
I stared at him.
“Margaret is trying to erase the evidence.””
“That's what it looks like.””
I picked up my handbag.
“Call the police. Preserve the building's security footage. Nobody leaves with company records.””
Daniel nodded.
But before he could move, my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
It showed my father's old Mercedes parked outside a garage.
Beneath it was a message.
You want to know what happened that night? Ask Peter Lawson why he removed the brake-line inspection report.
I stared at the photograph.
Then another message arrived.
And ask him who paid him.
My hands went cold.
Thomas leaned over my shoulder.
“Evelyn?””
I showed him the screen.
He looked at the photograph.
“That's your father's car.””
I nodded.
“Where is it now?””
“In storage.””
“Who controls the storage facility?””
“Carter Holdings.””
I immediately called the facilities director.
He answered on the second ring.
“Ms. Carter?””
“I need you to check the vehicle storage unit containing my father's Mercedes.””
“Is there a problem?””
“Has anyone accessed it recently?””
He paused.
“Actually, yes.””
“When?””
“Three days ago.””
“Who?””
“I'll check the access records.””
I waited.
Then he returned.
“Ms. Carter, the unit was opened using your father's old executive authorization.””
“Who used it?””
The director hesitated.
“Your uncle, Mr. Jonathan Carter.””
I slowly lowered the phone.
Thomas stared at me.
For the first time, he looked genuinely frightened.
“Your uncle accessed the vehicle?””
I nodded.
Then my phone rang again.
This time, the caller ID displayed a name.
*Robert Hale.*
I answered immediately.
“Robert?””
His voice sounded exhausted.
“Evelyn, I know you've found the hospital records.””
“How?””
“Because Margaret has started moving people. She knows you're getting close.””
“Where are you?””
“I can't tell you over the phone.””
“Robert, I need answers.””
“You'll get them. But first, you need to understand something about your father.””
“What?””
There was a long pause.
Then he said:
“Richard didn't sign that agreement because Margaret threatened him.””
I frowned.
“What are you talking about?””
“He signed it because he was trying to buy time.””
“Time for what?””
“To find out which member of his own family had arranged your accident.””
My throat tightened.
Robert continued.
“And Evelyn, the person who paid Peter Lawson wasn't Margaret.””
I gripped the phone.
“Who was it?””
He whispered:
“Your uncle Jonathan.””
The line went dead.
I stood motionless.
Then Thomas said something that made everything worse.
“Evelyn, there's something else about your uncle you don't know.””
I turned.
“What?””
Thomas looked at the door.
“Jonathan wasn't just involved in the financial transfers.””
May you like
He swallowed.
“He was the person who originally recommended Margaret to your father.””
