Chapter 6 - HER NAME ON THE LIE
“I didn’t sign that.”
Mrs. Gable’s hand moved toward the binder.
“Let me explain.”
Lorenzo pulled it away.
Nora leaned closer.
The page listed a full breakfast, a bath, fresh linens, and two hours of supervised care.
The date was her first day.
She remembered that day.
She remembered the oatmeal.
“I wasn’t even assigned to him that morning.”
Mrs. Gable’s smile disappeared.
“The office fills in routine paperwork.”
“Using my name?”
“You work here.”
Lorenzo turned another page.
Another signature.
Nora’s name again.
His voice became very quiet.
“How many of these did you sign?”
“None.”
Mrs. Gable folded her arms.
“She may not remember.
She’s exhausted.”
Nora looked at her bruised wrist.
“Yes,” she said.
“I am.”
The words landed.
Lorenzo noticed the bruises.
“Who did that?”
Nora hesitated.
Mrs. Gable gave her a warning look.
This time, Lorenzo caught it.
“Leave the room.”
“Mr. Moretti—”
“Now.”
When the door closed, Nora realized she was shaking.
Lorenzo set the binder on the table.
“Tell me.”
“She grabbed me.”
“Why?”
“I said the curtains were too heavy.”
He looked at her belly.
“And she made you carry them?”
Nora nodded.
He took one step toward the door.
Giovanni’s hand struck the wheelchair arm.
A small sound.
Barely more than a tap.
Lorenzo stopped.
Nora moved beside the chair.
“John?”
The old man stared at his son.
Nora glanced between them.
“I’m sorry.
That’s what they told me to call him.”
“My father’s name is Giovanni.”
She looked down.
“Giovanni,” she repeated gently.
His eyes closed.
When they opened, they were wet.
Lorenzo sank into the chair opposite him.
For the first time, Nora saw something beneath his anger.
Humiliation.
He had paid for care.
He had received reports.
He had allowed those reports to replace visits.
“Can he answer questions?” he asked.
“I think he understands them.
I just haven’t found a way he can answer reliably.”
Lorenzo took out his phone.
“Then we find one.”
Outside the room, footsteps stopped.
A drawer opened somewhere down the hall.
Then another.
Nora turned toward the sound.
Lorenzo was speaking to a doctor when Mrs. Gable’s voice rose beyond the door.
“Mr. Moretti?
I’m afraid there’s something else you need to know.”
May you like
She sounded pleased.
“Something has been stolen.”
