Chapter 6
Vivian tried to protect Daniel even from a gurney.
“He wouldn’t hurt Claire,” she said weakly.
Claire turned toward her.
Vivian looked away.
That was the problem with automatic loyalty.
Sometimes even the person speaking it does not believe it.
Marissa was quieter.
She stared at the ceiling, breathing through the oxygen mask, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes.
Claire did not comfort her.
Not because she wished her harm.
Because comfort had limits when the same woman had laughed while telling Claire to relax.
Detective Ortiz asked a nurse for the chain-of-custody form on the cake box and device.
Claire listened carefully.
Chain of custody.
Preserve.
Seal.
Document.
Words Daniel hated because they belonged to systems outside his charm.
“Did your husband have medical access?” Ortiz asked.
Claire paused.
“What kind?”
“Any reason to know about devices, monitoring equipment, dosing equipment, lab vendors, hospital suppliers?”
Claire’s throat tightened.
Daniel was an investor.
He sat on boards.
One of them supplied medical logistics equipment.
Another funded private clinic technology.
She did not say more than she knew.
“He has business ties to medical companies.”
Ortiz wrote that down.
Vivian’s eyes opened.
“Claire.”
The warning in her voice was familiar.
Do not embarrass him.
Do not expose him.
Do not say what makes our family look dangerous.
Claire looked at Vivian with cold sadness.
“You wanted to eat first.”
Vivian’s lips trembled.
Claire turned back to Ortiz.
“My husband asked about my will three weeks ago.”
The detective stopped writing for half a second.
Then continued.
“Tell me exactly how he asked.”
May you like
Claire did.
Read the full story 👉 Vivian still tried to protect Daniel, but Claire finally began telling the detective the questions he had been asking before the cake arrived.
