Chapter 12 - A Stolen Name

"Rebecca would never say this," Emily said.

"I believe you," Ava replied. "But we need to prove who created the statement."

Rebecca read the affidavit in the hallway. It described Emily as "erratic," Preston as "supportive," and Vanessa's kick as an "imagined altercation." The nurse's cheeks burned red.

"I spent my entire shift keeping that woman and her baby alive. You think I'd sign this?"

"No," Detective Morales said. "I'm asking whether anybody had access to your credentials."

Rebecca remembered the missing badge. Miles checked the clinical system. On the day of the assault, her account had logged into a terminal on the executive floor, more than an hour before she reported for duty. A temporary access token had been issued by an administrator under Simon Graves's supervision.

"My PIN wasn't on the badge," Rebecca said.

"It didn't need to be," Miles answered. "An administrator can reset account credentials. Every reset leaves a record."

Ava photographed the audit screen. "Preserve that. Then get an independent examiner. The court needs a record no one can accuse us of editing."

"What about the affidavit?" Rebecca asked.

"It was filed electronically by Preston's counsel," Ava said. "We'll challenge its authenticity and notify the court immediately."

At the NICU entrance, Emily waited in a wheelchair while a nurse helped her scrub her hands. She could hear an infant crying on the other side. It wasn't Nora, but her heart still leaped.

"I'm tired," she admitted to Raymond. "I want to be a mother. I don't want to be evidence."

"Then I'll handle the lawyers."

"No." She turned toward him. "You can help me. You don't get to make my choices for me, either."

Raymond lowered his eyes. "Fair enough."

He handed her the court filing. She read the lies slowly, then signed a short statement denying them. Her hand steadied on the last line.

Downstairs, security checked Simon Graves's office. His desk was bare, his computer unplugged, and the wall safe stood open.

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