Chapter 3 - The Medication That Never Existed
Marcus pressed the call button beside Lily’s bed.
A nurse entered less than a minute later.
Her name badge read EMILY CARTER.
She looked at the two suited men, then at Charles.
Her posture changed.
“What does my daughter have in her system?” Marcus asked.
Emily hesitated.
“I cannot discuss—”
“I am her father and legal guardian.”
Miranda spoke quickly.
“We share custody.”
Marcus removed a folded court document from his uniform pocket.
“Primary medical authority remains with me while I am deployed unless there is an immediate emergency.”
Charles stared at him.
“You came prepared.”
“I came because my daughter was afraid to call anyone else.”
The nurse reviewed the chart on the wall terminal.
“She received acetaminophen and local anesthetic during casting. Nothing sedating since surgery.”
Marcus looked at Miranda.
“You said she was confused from medication.”
Miranda folded her arms.
“She was given something earlier.”
Emily shook her head.
“Not according to the administration record.”
Charles stepped toward the nurse.
“Perhaps you should verify before making statements.”
Emily’s face went pale.
Marcus recognized intimidation immediately.
He had seen it used by superior officers who believed rank could erase facts.
“Do not threaten her,” Marcus said.
Charles smiled without warmth.
“I am reminding an employee to be accurate.”
“This hospital has a security camera above the door.”
Emily looked up involuntarily.
Miranda saw it.
The small camera was pointed toward the room entrance and part of the bed.
Marcus placed his phone face down on the bedside table and activated the recorder.
“Who requested the curtain remain closed?”
Nobody answered.
Emily finally said, “Mrs. Sterling.”
Miranda’s voice sharpened.
“For privacy.”
“How long?” Marcus asked.
Emily looked at Lily.
“Almost forty minutes.”
Marcus felt Lily tighten around his hand.
“What happened during those forty minutes?”
The nurse swallowed.
“I was told not to enter.”
“By whom?”
Emily’s gaze moved toward Charles.
Charles’s expression remained calm.
“Be careful,” he said.
That was not advice.
It was a warning.
Marcus stepped between Charles and the nurse.
“You will answer without looking at him.”
Emily’s breathing became shallow.
Then she whispered, “Mr. Sterling’s security team blocked the door.”
One of the suited men lowered his chin.
The other stared straight ahead.
Marcus turned toward them.
“What were you hiding?”
The older guard finally spoke.
“We followed instructions.”
“Whose?”
He looked at Miranda.
May you like
Miranda’s confidence began to crack.
👉 The guards had obeyed Miranda—but a nurse had secretly entered the room once and seen someone standing over Lily’s bed.
