Chapter 6: The Doctor Who Knew My Father-in-Law
I read the name again.
Sarah Mitchell.
The same woman who had explained Ben's treatment options the previous afternoon.
The same doctor who had told us about the research program funded through the Carter family trust.
I looked at Martin.
"Why is our oncologist mentioned in this letter?""
Martin adjusted his glasses.
"I don't know. Richard's statement contains several references to people who may have information about the events surrounding his death.""
Ben stood abruptly.
"You're telling me Dr. Mitchell knew my father?""
Martin nodded.
"According to the statement, she did.""
Ben shook his head.
"That's impossible. She's been my doctor for years. She never mentioned him.""
I looked down at the paper.
There was another paragraph.
Sarah was the only person I trusted to keep the medical records safe. She knows what happened that night. If my son ever needs to understand the truth, he must speak to her.
My stomach tightened.
"Medical records?""
Martin opened another folder.
"Richard was admitted to the hospital shortly before his death. There were concerns about the circumstances surrounding his collapse.""
Ben looked at him sharply.
"What concerns?""
"The official report described a cardiac event. However, your father had previously requested a review of his medication history.""
"Why?""
Martin shook his head.
"I don't know. The hospital records were incomplete when I requested them.""
Ben sat down.
I watched his face.
He looked as though someone had reached into his chest and pulled out six years of carefully buried grief.
"Why would Dad trust Dr. Mitchell with something like this?""
Martin placed another document on the table.
"Because she was involved in his care.""
Ben stared at him.
"She was?""
"Apparently.""
I felt increasingly uncomfortable.
"Could Thomas have known about this?""
Martin nodded.
"Your uncle was involved in the estate administration. He would have had access to certain records.""
Ben stood again.
"I'm going to speak to her.""
"Benjamin," Martin said, "I would strongly advise you to let me handle the legal side of this.""
Ben looked at him.
"I've spent eleven months being told what I can and can't handle. I'm done.""
I touched his arm.
"Let's speak to her together.""
He nodded.
Before we left, Martin handed us copies of the financial records.
He also gave Ben a second envelope.
"This was attached to your father's statement. He wanted you to have it personally.""
Ben opened it.
Inside was a small photograph of Richard sitting beside a hospital bed.
A woman stood beside him.
Dr. Mitchell.
On the back, Richard had written:
For Benjamin. The truth is sometimes painful, but it is still kinder than a lie.
We arrived at the hospital shortly after three.
Dr. Mitchell was reviewing patient charts when we entered her office.
She looked up and smiled.
"Benjamin. Emily. Is everything all right?""
Ben placed the photograph on her desk.
Her smile disappeared.
For several seconds, she didn't move.
Then she removed her glasses.
"Where did you get this?""
"My father left it.""
She stared at the photograph.
"Richard...""
Her voice was barely audible.
I pulled out a chair.
"Doctor, we need you to explain something.""
She looked at Ben.
Then at me.
Finally, she closed the office door.
"Please sit down.""
Ben remained standing.
"Did you know my father?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I was asked not to.""
"By whom?""
She looked away.
"Your father.""
Ben let out a bitter laugh.
"Wonderful. Another person who decided what I was allowed to know.""
Dr. Mitchell accepted the criticism.
"I understand why you're angry.""
"Did you treat him?""
"Yes. I was part of the medical team responsible for his care during his final admission.""
Ben looked stunned.
"Why wasn't I told?""
"You were there that night. But after your father's death, the family requested that certain information be kept confidential.""
"Which family member?""
She hesitated.
"Thomas.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
Ben leaned against the desk.
"What information?""
Dr. Mitchell opened a locked drawer and removed a small folder.
"I kept copies of some correspondence because I was concerned about the way your father's medical history was being handled.""
She placed the folder on the desk.
"There were inconsistencies in his medication records.""
"What kind of inconsistencies?"" I asked.
"Certain prescriptions had been changed shortly before his final admission. I cannot tell you why without reviewing the full record, and I won't speculate about wrongdoing. But your father was concerned enough to ask for an independent review.""
Ben's face became rigid.
"Did he die because of those changes?""
Dr. Mitchell looked directly at him.
"I don't know.""
The honesty in her answer made the room feel colder.
"But I can tell you that your father asked me to contact you after his death.""
"Did you?""
"No.""
"Why?""
She lowered her eyes.
"Thomas told me you had been informed of everything and wanted no further contact with your father's medical affairs.""
Ben shook his head.
"He lied.""
"I believe he may have misrepresented the situation.""
I stared at her.
"Why didn't you check?""
Dr. Mitchell's expression tightened.
"Because I made a mistake. I accepted information from a family representative without independently confirming it.""
Ben looked down at the folder.
"What's in there?""
"Copies of your father's requests, several medication reviews, and correspondence involving Thomas.""
I opened the folder.
The first few pages contained hospital records.
The next contained emails.
One was dated three days before Richard died.
It was from Thomas to Dr. Mitchell.
Please ensure that Benjamin is not contacted regarding the review. He has enough personal problems, and the family does not want to involve him.
I felt sick.
Ben took the paper from my hand.
Then he found another email.
This one had been sent after Richard's death.
As discussed, there is no need for further investigation. The family accepts the medical findings. Please destroy any duplicate copies of the review.
Ben stared at the screen.
"Did you destroy them?""
Dr. Mitchell shook her head.
"No. I kept the copies.""
"Why?""
"Because I didn't believe everything had been handled properly.""
Ben looked at her.
"Then why wait six years?""
She took a deep breath.
"Because I was afraid of making an accusation without sufficient evidence. And because I believed the solicitor had been informed.""
I felt anger rising.
"Everyone keeps saying they were afraid. Do you understand what that has done to this family?""
Dr. Mitchell nodded.
"Yes. And I'm sorry.""
Ben picked up the folder.
"Is there anything else?""
She hesitated.
Then she reached into the bottom drawer and removed a small flash drive.
"Your father left this with me.""
Ben stared at it.
"What is it?""
"A recording.""
"Of what?""
"Your father speaking shortly before his final admission.""
I felt my heartbeat accelerate.
"Have you listened to it?""
"Yes.""
Ben's voice became almost inaudible.
"What does he say?""
Dr. Mitchell looked at him.
"He says he knows who has been taking the money. He also says that he has evidence that could destroy the person responsible.""
She placed the flash drive in Ben's palm.
"There's one more thing.""
Ben looked up.
"Your father mentioned a child.""
The room went silent.
"What child?"" I asked.
Dr. Mitchell took a breath.
"He said that if anything happened to him, his granddaughter needed to be protected.""
Ben frowned.
"Lily?""
Dr. Mitchell shook her head.
"No. Not Lily.""
My fingers went cold.
"Then who?""
Dr. Mitchell looked at Ben.
"Your father said Thomas had a daughter.""
Ben blinked.
"Thomas doesn't have a daughter.""
"That's what I believed, too.""
She looked at the photograph again.
"The baby in that picture is Thomas's daughter. Her name is Grace.""
Ben slowly lowered himself into a chair.
"Thomas told everyone he never had children.""
Dr. Mitchell nodded.
"Because Grace was born under circumstances he wanted to keep hidden.""
I looked at the photograph.
The young woman beside Richard was holding a baby.
Suddenly, I remembered the funeral.
Thomas had been standing beside a woman who kept her face turned away from the family.
I'd assumed she was a distant relative.
Now I wondered whether she'd been the mother.
"Where is Grace now?"" I asked.
Dr. Mitchell shook her head.
"I don't know. But your father believed she was connected to the missing trust money.""
Ben looked down at the flash drive.
Then his phone rang.
The caller ID displayed a name neither of us had expected.
*Thomas Carter.*
Ben answered.
"Hello?""
His uncle's voice came through immediately.
"Benjamin, I've just heard you've been asking questions about your father's estate.""
Ben looked at me.
"Who told you?""
"That doesn't matter. What matters is that you need to stop.""
Ben's jaw tightened.
"Why?""
Thomas sighed.
"Because you're ill, and you don't need this stress.""
I stepped closer.
Ben switched the phone to speaker.
"Don't pretend you care about my health.""
There was a pause.
Then Thomas spoke again.
"Your father made a terrible mistake, Ben. And if you continue digging, you're going to discover things that will hurt everyone.""
Ben looked at the flash drive.
"Like what?""
Thomas's voice dropped.
"Like the fact that Grace isn't the only child your father kept secret.""
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Ben gripped the phone.
"What did you just say?""
Thomas continued.
"Ask your wife what happened before you married her.""
I turned toward Ben.
My heart was pounding.
"What is he talking about?""
Thomas gave a short, humorless laugh.
"Your father left more behind than money, Benjamin. Much more.""
Then the call ended.
Ben stood motionless.
I stared at him.
"Before we got married?""
He didn't answer.
I reached for his hand.
"Ben, what is he talking about?""
He slowly turned toward me.
May you like
And for the first time since we'd met, I saw genuine confusion in his eyes.
"Emily," he whispered, "what if my father knew something about you that even you don't remember?""
