Chapter 2 - THE PAPER IN THE DRAWER
Elena woke in the intensive care unit six hours later.
Her sister Rachel was sitting beside her.
Daniel wasn’t.
That scared Elena more than if he had been there.
Rachel grabbed her hand.
“Oh my God.”
Elena blinked.
“You look terrible.”
Rachel laughed and cried at the same time.
“You were dead this morning. I’m allowed to look terrible.”
Elena tried to smile.
Her chest hurt.
“What happened?”
Rachel’s expression changed.
“They found you in your garage.”
Elena frowned.
“My garage?”
“You were unconscious inside your car. Engine running.”
Elena’s stomach tightened.
“I don’t remember going into the garage.”
Rachel leaned closer.
“The police thought it was carbon monoxide.”
“Thought?”
“The hospital ran another test.”
Elena waited.
Rachel looked toward the door before speaking.
“They found a sedative in your blood.”
Elena went still.
“What sedative?”
“I don’t know. Something strong.”
“I don’t take sleeping pills.”
“I know.”
The door opened.
Daniel walked in carrying flowers.
White lilies.
Elena hated lilies.
Daniel knew that.
“There she is,” he said softly.
Rachel stood.
Daniel gave her a cold glance.
“I’d like a minute with my wife.”
Rachel didn’t move.
Elena squeezed her sister’s hand.
“Stay.”
Daniel’s smile barely survived.
“Of course.”
He set the flowers down.
Then he kissed Elena’s forehead.
She resisted the urge to recoil.
“You scared me,” he whispered.
Elena watched him.
“Did I?”
His eyes flicked toward Rachel.
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know yet.”
Daniel pulled a chair closer.
“The doctors said you’re confused.”
“I remember signing something.”
He froze.
Only for a fraction of a second.
“What?”
“A paper. You said it was for the bank.”
“Oh. That.”
“What was it?”
Daniel shrugged.
“Account access. In case something happened.”
Rachel frowned.
“What kind of account access?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Family business.”
Elena’s voice hardened.
“Was it a cremation authorization?”
“No.”
“Advance directive?”
“No.”
“Power of attorney?”
Daniel leaned back.
“Where is this coming from?”
“Answer me.”
“I just did.”
A detective entered before Elena could respond.
“Mrs. Ward?”
“Yes.”
“Detective Nora Bennett.”
Daniel stood.
“Can this wait?”
Nora didn’t even look at him.
“No.”
She walked to Elena’s bedside holding a clear evidence bag.
Inside was a folded document.
“We searched your purse and personal effects after the hospital notified us.”
Elena stared at the paper.
Nora continued.
“We found this in a side pocket.”
She unfolded a copy.
At the top were the words:
ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE.
Elena’s signature appeared at the bottom.
Her name.
Her handwriting.
But Elena had never seen the document before.
Nora pointed to one paragraph.
“In the event of severe injury or death, you authorize immediate cremation and waive objection to postmortem procedures unless your designated agent objects.”
Rachel whispered, “Designated agent?”
Nora looked at Daniel.
“Her husband.”
Elena’s mouth went dry.
Daniel shook his head.
“This is insane.”
Nora turned another page.
“There’s more.”
Elena stared at her.
“What?”
May you like
The detective’s face hardened.
“This wasn’t the only document filed under your signature.”
