Chapter 16 - The Appointment

Savannah's contractions slowed after medication and fluids, but the doctor wanted her admitted overnight.

Stress could trigger preterm labor.

That sentence made me want to punch a wall.

Instead, I sat beside my wife and held her hand.

The detective came to the hospital around nine.

He brought printed screenshots from Mom's second phone.

There were messages with Todd, Pike, and Elaine.

But the worst thread was with someone saved only as "M."

M: Tomorrow still works. 10:30.

Bernice: She'll refuse if Christopher is there.

M: Then make sure he isn't.

Bernice: I can get him to the office.

M: Once she signs intake papers, we can begin evaluation.

I felt cold.

"What evaluation?"

The detective slid another page toward me.

A calendar entry.

PRIVATE MATERNAL WELLNESS ASSESSMENT - SAVANNAH REED.

The facility was real: a private mental health clinic forty miles away.

Savannah had never made an appointment there.

"Can someone force me to go?" she asked.

Dana, on video call, shook her head. "Not based on what we've seen. But somebody may have been planning to pressure or trick you into an intake."

The detective said the clinic was cooperating. The appointment had been requested by a woman claiming to be Savannah's mother-in-law and emergency family contact.

Mom had also emailed them the fake Dr. Halpern letter.

Savannah covered her face.

"She was going to make me look crazy before the baby came."

I put an arm around her.

"She was going to try. She didn't succeed."

The detective pointed to another message.

Bernice: After evaluation, Christopher will finally see she needs supervision.

M: And the child?

Bernice: My son won't let me raise her. Not willingly.

My chest tightened.

The baby kicked beneath Savannah's hospital gown as if reacting to the room.

The detective cleared his throat.

"We identified M."

"Who?"

"Melanie Ross. She works in admissions at the clinic."

"Why would she help my mother?"

He looked at me.

"Because Bernice paid her."

Savannah started to cry silently.

Then the monitor changed.

A nurse rushed in.

"Savannah, turn onto your left side for me."

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