Chapter 11 - THE VIDEO THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Rachel’s video was only forty-seven seconds long.
But it destroyed Andrew’s story.
She had apparently started recording before confronting him.
The camera mostly showed the floor.
Their voices were clear.
“You’re hurting women,” Rachel said.
Andrew answered, “Be careful.”
“I filed another complaint.”
“You think Mercer will let that destroy this hospital?”
“I’m going to the police.”
Then movement.
A scream.
The phone fell.
Rachel’s breathing became ragged.
Andrew said one sentence.
“You should’ve kept your mouth shut.”
The recording ended.
It did not show him killing her.
But it proved he had lied about not seeing her that night.
Police obtained a warrant.
Andrew disappeared before they reached his apartment.
“He’s running,” Marcus said.
I didn’t feel relief.
I felt dread.
Men like Andrew didn’t disappear quietly.
My father called.
“I need to tell you something.”
I nearly ignored him.
Then answered.
“What?”
“He called me.”
“When?”
“Five minutes ago.”
Ethan stood immediately.
“What did he say?”
My father’s voice shook.
“He asked me to meet him.”
“Where?”
“He wouldn’t say yet.”
“Dad, call the police.”
“He said if I do, he’ll release something about your mother.”
I went cold.
“What about Mom?”
“He claims her death wasn’t natural.”
The room disappeared around me.
“What?”
My father began crying.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Ava…”
“For what?”
“Your mother found out about Rachel.”
I couldn’t breathe.
“She wanted me to tell the board.”
“And?”
“I begged her not to.”
“Why?”
“I was afraid of Mercer.”
My knees weakened.
Ethan caught my arm.
My father continued.
“Then your mother had another cardiac event.”
I stared at nothing.
“Andrew was the doctor on duty.”
The implication was unbearable.
“Are you saying Andrew killed Mom?”
“I don’t know.”
I pressed one hand to my mouth.
All these years, I had thought Andrew helped save her.
What if he had done the opposite?
Suddenly my father screamed.
A door crashed open on his end.
“Dad?”
The phone hit the floor.
Then Andrew’s voice came through.
“Hello, Ava.”
My blood froze.
“Andrew.”
“I told you not to embarrass me.”
“Where is my father?”
“Alive.”
“Let him go.”
“Come alone.”
Ethan shook his head.
I ignored him.
“Where?”
Andrew laughed softly.
“You remember where we first met?”
The old hospital fundraiser venue.
Abandoned now.
“Midtown Pavilion.”
“Midnight.”
The line went quiet.
Then Andrew added:
“And Ava?”
May you like
“What?”
“If Ethan Carter comes anywhere near that building, your father dies.”
