Chapter 12 - The Doctor With Clean HandsDr. Simon Harlan arrived at the mansion before the police found him.
That was his first mistake.
His second was carrying a leather medical bag filled with files he claimed were “private patient records.”
His third was assuming Lucian Vale was still a man who valued reputation over truth.
Rosa watched from the library doorway as Dr. Harlan spoke in his careful, polished voice.
“Mr. Vale, I understand emotions are high, but Mrs. Vale’s condition must be handled delicately. Removing her from controlled treatment could be dangerous.”
Isabella sat beside Mateo on the sofa.
Mateo’s hand was wrapped in both of hers.
Lucian stood across from the doctor.
“Controlled treatment?” he repeated.
Harlan adjusted his glasses.
“Yes. Your wife suffered a severe psychological break after the accident. Your mother authorized care under emergency provisions.”
“My mother told me my wife was dead.”
Harlan paused.
Only briefly.
But Rosa saw it.
“I was informed you understood the arrangement.”
Lucian laughed once.
It was not a pleasant sound.
“You billed me for grief counseling.”
Harlan looked toward Margot.
Margot looked away.
Detective Reyes entered with a younger officer carrying the red folder and the metal box.
“Dr. Harlan,” Reyes said, “we’re going to need you to explain why your signature appears on confinement orders for a woman whose death certificate you also certified.”
The doctor’s face finally lost color.
“That is a mischaracterization.”
Isabella’s voice cut through the room.
“You told me Mateo forgot me.”
Harlan turned.
She stood slowly.
“You told me my son stopped asking for me. You told me Lucian ordered the treatment. You told Mateo I was a ghost he imagined.”
Harlan swallowed.
“You were unstable.”
Mateo suddenly spoke.
“You gave me pills.”
Everyone turned.
The boy stared at the doctor.
“When I cried after seeing Mama, you said my brain was broken.”
Lucian’s hands curled into fists.
Rosa moved closer, ready to stop him if needed.
Detective Reyes saw it too.
“Mr. Vale,” he warned softly.
Lucian did not move.
But his voice dropped to a level that made even Margot step back.
“You touched my son?”
Harlan lifted both hands.
“All medications were mild and clinically appropriate.”
Mateo shook his head.
“They made the walls move.”
Isabella pulled him close.
The detective’s expression hardened.
“Doctor, put the bag down.”
Harlan did not.
Instead, he reached inside it.
Two officers drew their weapons.
“Hands where we can see them.”
Harlan froze.
Slowly, he removed not a weapon, but a small black device.
A recorder.
He looked at Margot.
“I kept copies,” he said.
Margot’s face turned to stone.
“You fool.”
Harlan smiled weakly.
“In case your family decided I was disposable.”
Detective Reyes took the recorder.
“What’s on it?”
May you like
Harlan looked at Lucian.
“Everything.”
Related Stories
