Chapter 3 - The Investigation
The next morning, Ethan did not go to the office.
He drove directly to an independent toxicology laboratory in downtown Boston.
He paid ten thousand dollars in cash for an expedited chemical analysis of the blue pill.
The technician promised him results by the end of the day.
Ethan sat in his car.
He pulled the crumpled piece of paper from his pocket.
He dialed Claire’s number.
She answered on the second ring.
“I need your help,” Ethan said.
His voice was broken.
“Where are you?” Claire asked softly.
Twenty minutes later, they met at a quiet coffee shop near the harbor.
Ethan looked at her.
He really looked at her for the first time.
She was tired, beautiful, and completely unafraid of his money.
“What is happening in my house, Claire?”
She folded her hands on the table.
“I reviewed his medical charts when Margaret wasn't looking.”
“And?”
“Noah does not have a progressive neuromuscular disease.”
Ethan gripped the edge of the table.
“Dr. Vance diagnosed him when he was a baby.”
“Dr. Vance lied.”
Claire leaned forward.
“Noah has a mild, entirely treatable form of congenital joint stiffness.”
“He should have been walking by the time he was three.”
Ethan felt a tear slide down his cheek.
“Why would they lie to me?”
“Control,” Claire said.
“Margaret controls your household, your schedule, and your massive medical budget.”
“She approves Dr. Vance’s exorbitant bills.”
“They are keeping Noah sick so they can keep stealing your money.”
Ethan’s phone buzzed on the table.
It was an encrypted email from the toxicology lab.
He opened the attachment.
The blue pill was not a vitamin.
It was a highly concentrated, illegal muscle relaxant meant for adult trauma patients.
It was designed to cause severe lethargy and temporary muscle paralysis.
Ethan stared at the screen.
A terrifying, violent rage ignited deep inside his chest.
May you like
He looked up at Claire.
“I am going to destroy them.”
