Chapter 8 - The Dead Doctor

The death report listed a fall from a hotel balcony. But Naomi found a payment made to Celia Ward's private consulting firm the day after the supposed accident.

“Someone is keeping her alive on paper,” Naomi said, “or keeping the payments going to hide where they lead.”

Adrian called Detective Hannah Brooks, a former classmate who had never cared about his family's money.

“You're asking me to believe your wife is alive,” Hannah said when she arrived.

“I'm asking you to look at evidence.”

He showed her the photograph, the note, and the camera footage. Hannah's expression sharpened.

“This could be kidnapping and fraud. But if your brother has friends in the department, we need to move carefully.”

Rosa reached for Hannah's sleeve. “My daughter deserves her name back.”

Hannah nodded. “She does.”

Naomi's phone rang. An unknown caller whispered, “Stop looking for Ward. She's at St. Agnes.”

Detective Hannah Brooks arrived in jeans and a raincoat, carrying no patience for wealthy people who expected the police to make unpleasant facts disappear. She and Adrian had known each other since college, when she'd caught him trying to buy his way out of a parking ticket and made him spend an afternoon helping at a shelter instead. 'You still think money fixes everything?' she asked now. 'Not anymore,' he said.

Hannah listened to Rosa without interrupting. She asked for dates, names, and the exact words Elena had used. When Rosa apologized for not speaking sooner, Hannah said, 'You can explain why you were afraid. You don't have to apologize for being threatened.' Adrian watched Rosa straighten slightly. He had spent hours demanding answers without once asking how she had survived.

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Adrian gave her his phone. He hated the helplessness of it, the need to let someone else direct the search. Hannah put a hand on his shoulder. 'Your daughter needs a father who thinks before he runs into danger.' He looked toward the nursery door. Sophie was finally sleeping, one hand wrapped around the ribbon on her wrist. He promised himself he would be there when she woke.

Then the caller added, “And if you want Evelyn alive, don't bring the police.”