Chapter 9 - A Room Prepared for Me
My obstetrician's office confirmed that someone had requested a transfer of my prenatal records. The form carried my electronic signature. I had signed nothing.
“Who requested it?” I asked.
“A physician with privileges at St. Catherine's,” the receptionist said. “Dr. Bell.”
I felt cold.
My actual doctor, Dr. Elena Ortiz, met me that afternoon. She examined me, checked the baby's heartbeat, and said the baby was doing well.
“You do not have to use St. Catherine's,” she told me. “We can plan delivery at Memorial. And only your authorized care team will have access.”
“Could someone put a false note in my chart?”
“Not without leaving a trail. I'll ask compliance to audit access.”
I had never been so grateful for an ordinary answer.
Naomi arranged for copies of my records to be preserved and reported the suspected unauthorized access. We also moved to a hotel under another name. Claire joined me, bringing a backpack, the black case, and the brass key from Charles's safe.
Late that night Daniel knocked on our door. I had not told him where we were.
“Did you follow me?” I asked through the chain.
“No. Claire texted me.”
Claire raised her chin. “I wanted to hear what he'd say with no one else coaching him.”
Daniel looked like he hadn't slept. “Mom showed me a board statement. It says Emma's been stealing grants.”
“Are you here to warn me or deliver the accusation?” I asked.
“I'm here because the signature on the statement is mine. It was attached after I signed a blank consent page.”
“Did you sign a blank page?”
“Yes.”
I shut my eyes. The stupidity of it almost hurt more than the deception.
Daniel handed Naomi a phone containing images of documents from Meredith's office. “I copied everything before they revoked my access.”
One photo showed a form headed EMERGENCY CUSTODIAL REVIEW. It named Vivian as the proposed temporary guardian of our unborn child if I were declared incapable of making decisions.
May you like
The document was dated for the morning after the gala.
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