Chapter 4 - The Doctor’s Letter
The physician’s letter looked legitimate.
Letterhead.
Signature.
Medical terminology.
It claimed Daniel suffered recurring episodes of confusion, memory impairment, and “unsafe decision-making.”
Daniel read it in disbelief.
The doctor’s name was Dr. Kevin Rhodes.
Daniel knew him.
Not as his doctor.
As Vanessa’s former employer.
She had worked in his clinic before marrying Daniel.
Aaron stared at the page.
“You ever see this guy?”
“Once. At our wedding.”
Daniel called Dr. Rhodes’s office.
He was told the doctor was unavailable.
Then ten minutes later, Dr. Rhodes called back personally.
His voice was nervous.
“Daniel, I think we need to talk.”
“Did you write a letter saying I’m medically impaired?”
Silence.
“That letter wasn’t supposed to be filed.”
Daniel stood.
“So you did write it.”
“Vanessa told me you were undergoing evaluation.”
“I’m not.”
“She gave me records.”
“What records?”
Dr. Rhodes hesitated.
“Copies of neurological testing.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“I have never had neurological testing.”
The doctor went quiet.
Then:
“I may have been misled.”
Daniel’s anger sharpened.
“You signed a medical opinion about a man you never examined.”
“I signed a preliminary statement based on documents she provided.”
“That’s not better.”
Dr. Rhodes immediately retained counsel and later cooperated.
The “records” Vanessa gave him were fabricated.
They included scans that belonged to another patient with identifying information removed.
Vanessa had access to old clinic files from years earlier.
Suddenly the plot looked far more organized.
Starve Lily.
Photograph her distressed.
Describe her as unstable.
Fabricate Daniel’s incapacity.
Seek guardianship.
Control the trust.
But one piece still made no sense.
Why involve her father?
Then Daniel received a call from Charles Bennett himself.
Vanessa’s father.
“Mr. Carter.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“Do you know where Vanessa is?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“With me.”
Daniel stood.
“Put her on.”
“No.”
“Then tell her Mason is safe.”
“I know.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed.
Charles continued.
“There are things about the trust you don’t understand.”
“Try me.”
“The trustee can authorize distributions for the child’s benefit.”
“I’m aware.”
“Your mother structured it broadly.”
Daniel said nothing.
Charles added:
“Vanessa believed the family should control those assets.”
“The family?”
“My family.”
Daniel finally understood.
Charles wasn’t surprised.
He knew.
“How involved are you?”
The older man paused.
“Be careful what you accuse me of.”
“I asked a question.”
Charles lowered his voice.
“Vanessa came to me with a legal strategy. I told her it was reckless.”
“Did you help her?”
“No.”
“Did you stop her?”
Silence.
That silence mattered.
Then Charles said:
“Mason is my grandson. I’m trying to protect him.”
Daniel looked toward the little boy playing quietly beside Lily.
“Then help me protect both children.”
Charles exhaled.
“There’s a safe in Vanessa’s old bedroom.”
Daniel froze.
“What’s in it?”
“I don’t know everything.”
“But?”
“I know she kept copies of messages there.”
“With who?”
Charles answered:
“Someone she calls Judge.”
Daniel’s stomach dropped.
Not a judge.
May you like
A nickname.
Or maybe something worse.
