Chapter 3 - The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
Dr. Mercer had treated Martha for almost eight months.
According to Vanessa, he was one of the best geriatric specialists in the state.
According to the reports Julian had received, Martha was experiencing early cognitive decline.
Memory lapses.
Paranoia.
Mood swings.
Possible vascular dementia.
Julian had believed every word.
Now he wondered who had written the story.
Dr. Mercer examined Martha.
“You’ve had another episode.”
Martha looked at Julian.
“I did not have an episode.”
Mercer gave Julian a sympathetic expression.
“This defensiveness is unfortunately common.”
Julian felt anger rise in his chest.
He forced it down.
“What medication is she currently taking?”
Mercer named four prescriptions.
Martha frowned.
“I only take two.”
Mercer looked at her chart.
“No, Martha.”
“Yes.”
Julian spoke quietly.
“Can I see her medication history?”
Mercer hesitated.
Only for a second.
But Julian saw it.
“I can have the nurses print it.”
“Please do.”
Mercer nodded.
When he left, Julian turned to his mother.
“Who gives you your medication?”
“Vanessa started organizing it.”
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
That was when Martha’s supposed decline had accelerated.
Julian pulled out his phone.
“Do you remember your old prescriptions?”
Martha nodded.
“Blood pressure medication and something for arthritis.”
“Nothing else?”
“No.”
Julian went silent.
Twenty minutes later, Claire returned alone.
“Vanessa went home.”
Julian looked at his sister.
“Did she say anything?”
Claire sighed.
“She thinks you’re upset because Mom nearly drowned.”
“I am.”
“She also thinks Mom may have fallen into the pool herself.”
Martha laughed bitterly.
Claire looked embarrassed.
“I’m just telling you what she said.”
Julian stood.
“Claire, I need you to do something.”
“What?”
“Don’t tell Vanessa I heard anything.”
Claire stared at him.
“Heard what?”
Julian glanced toward Martha.
Then he told her.
Every word.
Claire’s face slowly lost its color.
“She said that?”
“Yes.”
Claire sat down.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Claire whispered something Julian did not expect.
“I knew there was something wrong.”
Julian looked at her.
“What do you mean?”
“Two weeks ago, I found Vanessa in Dad’s old study.”
Julian’s expression changed.
The study had been locked since their father died.
“What was she doing?”
“She said she was looking for wedding photographs.”
Julian knew that was impossible.
Their parents’ wedding albums were kept upstairs.
Claire continued.
“She was standing beside the safe.”
Julian felt his pulse quicken.
“Was it open?”
Claire nodded.
May you like
And suddenly the drowning no longer looked like an isolated act.
It looked like part of something much larger.
