Chapter 12 - The Man Behind the Experiment
The hospital increased security immediately.
Detective Brooks took the note as evidence.
Daniel refused to leave my room.
Sarah sat beside the window, her hands clasped tightly.
For the first time in twelve years, the people who had been keeping secrets from me were finally telling the truth.
Yet I still didn't know whether I would survive.
Dr. Collins arrived shortly after dawn.
She explained that the mass was continuing to cause pressure on my abdomen.
“We shouldn't delay surgery unnecessarily,” she said.
“Then let's do it.”
She looked at Daniel.
“Margaret understands the risks. We have a surgical team ready.”
I signed the consent forms myself.
I read every page.
Every single word.
No one covered the documents with a hand.
No one told me not to worry.
This time, the decision was mine.
Before surgery, Detective Brooks came to speak with me privately.
“We believe Voss returned to the area several months ago under an assumed identity.”
“Why?”
“He was trying to recover evidence from his old research.”
“Did he cause my condition to worsen?”
“We haven't found proof that he physically interfered with the implant recently. The medical evidence points toward a delayed complication, but he appears to have monitored your symptoms.”
I looked toward the window.
“So he watched me get sick.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't he help me?”
The detective's expression hardened.
“Because he was more concerned about what the implant could reveal.”
I closed my eyes.
Then I asked the question that had haunted me for twelve years.
“Did he kill Robert?”
Detective Brooks paused.
“We found evidence that Robert had been prescribed a medication shortly before his death. The dosage recorded in the clinic's private files doesn't match the prescription documented by his regular physician.”
My breath caught.
“Was it dangerous?”
“It could have been, especially for someone with a heart condition. Investigators are reviewing whether it contributed to his death.”
I pressed my fingers against my lips.
Robert had been frightened.
He had tried to expose Voss.
And afterward, he had died.
The detective continued.
“We also found evidence that Voss arranged for Robert to receive the medication.”
I looked at her.
“Are you telling me my husband was murdered?”
“We're investigating that possibility.”
Before I could respond, her radio crackled.
An officer spoke urgently.
“Detective, we have a possible identification at the west entrance.”
Brooks immediately stood.
“Who?”
A pause.
Then the officer answered.
“Nathaniel Voss.”
Daniel moved toward the door.
“I'm coming with you.”
The detective blocked his path.
“Stay with your mother.”
A moment later, another message came through.
The officer's voice was tense.
“He's wearing hospital credentials.”
I stared at the detective.
May you like
Voss had entered the hospital.
And I was scheduled for surgery within the hour.
