Chapter 7 - THE DOCTOR'S SYRINGE
Adrian was arrested before noon.
He denied trying to harm Vivian.
"It was ordered medication."
The hospital pharmacy had no record of it.
"Then someone set me up."
Brooks asked, "Who?"
"You."
"No."
"You put the vial in my bag."
"You're insane."
Adrian slammed one hand on the table.
"You told me Vivian was dying."
"What is he talking about?"
"Vivian called Elise that morning. Said she couldn't move. Elise told me it was probably a stroke."
Grant's face hardened.
"And?"
"I went to the house."
"Before you pronounced her dead?"
"Yes."
"Did she have a pulse?"
Adrian's eyes filled with shame.
"I couldn't find one."
"Did you use a monitor?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Thomas told me not to."
"My father-in-law told a doctor not to confirm death?"
Adrian whispered, "He said Vivian had a DNR and didn't want invasive measures."
Grant stepped closer.
"She didn't have a DNR."
"I know that now."
Brooks asked the question that mattered.
"Who gave Vivian the paralytic?"
"I don't know."
"Stop looking at me."
She had bruising on her shoulder.
Grant saw it.
"Did he do that?"
"Yes."
"I panicked."
Grant's hands curled into fists.
Brooks stepped between them.
Then her phone rang.
She answered.
Listened.
Officers had found Nathan Cole.
Not at his apartment.
At a motel near the airport.
He had cash.
Two passports.
And a one-way ticket to Lisbon.
But the strangest thing was inside his suitcase.
A white funeral program.
Vivian's photograph on the front.
May you like
On the back, written in pen:
T. PROMISED SHE WOULD NEVER WAKE UP.
