Chapter 12 - The Name in the Ledger
Beatrice opened the notebook to a page filled with Daniel's narrow handwriting. Patient numbers. Dates. Dosage codes. A single name underlined three times: EVELYN HART.
"Olivia's mother?" Ethan said.
"She approved the final trial," Beatrice replied. "Charles paid for it, but Evelyn decided who received it. Daniel threatened to testify."
Charles laughed without humor. "You blame one woman to wash your own hands?"
"I blame all of us," Beatrice said. "Including me."
A voice boomed from the doorway. "Federal agents. Hands where I can see them."
Reed entered with four officers. Charles set down his glass. For an instant Ethan thought the nightmare might finally be over.
Then Evelyn Hart stepped out from behind the curtains with a pistol aimed at Beatrice.
"Give me the notebook," Evelyn said.
Her elegant blue dress was muddy at the hem. Her face looked nothing like the loving mother Olivia had described. It was small and tight with fear.
"Mom?" Olivia called from the hall. She had followed the agents despite Ethan's protests. "Put it down."
Evelyn glanced at her daughter. "Everything I did was to keep you safe."
"You threatened me. You let Daniel die."
"He was going to destroy your future."
"You don't get to call that love."
Evelyn moved the gun toward Olivia. Ethan lunged. The shot broke a chandelier crystal inches above him. Reed's agents tackled Evelyn, and the notebook slid across the floor.
Charles used the confusion to reach a hidden panel behind the musicians' riser. A door opened, and he vanished into the servants' passage.
"Go!" Olivia shouted.
Ethan and Mara chased him through the dark corridor. They found a narrow staircase leading down to a locked steel vault. On the floor lay a phone still playing a live video feed.
The screen showed Lily in a car, asleep against a window.
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A voice behind Ethan said, "Your father isn't the one driving."
He turned. Dr. Vale stood at the top of the stairs, holding a syringe.
