Chapter 5 - The Doctor Who Changed the Records

“Dr. Vale wants to see Sophia tomorrow.”

Mrs. Delaney delivered the message as though nothing had changed.

Santiago looked up from breakfast.

“No.”

“The appointment has been scheduled for months.”

“Cancel it.”

She hesitated.

“Her treatment shouldn't be interrupted.”

“An independent specialist will review her care.”

Mrs. Delaney's eyes moved toward Ruby, who sat across from Sophia at the far end of the table.

“Was that Miss Brennan's suggestion?”

“It was mine,” Santiago said.

He did not tell her that Tomas was already examining seven years of medical invoices.

The sums were enormous.

More troubling were the regular consulting fees paid through a foundation managed by one of Alessandro Moretti's former lawyers.

The foundation had funded Vale's clinic.

And Mrs. Delaney had approved every payment.

That afternoon, Dr. Vale arrived without an appointment.

He wore an immaculate gray suit and the mild expression Santiago had once associated with reassurance.

“I understand there's been some confusion,” he said.

Santiago invited him into the study.

“Why was Ruby Brennan removed from your clinic?”

Vale's smile tightened.

“She was enthusiastic but inexperienced.”

“She had professional credentials.”

“Credentials don't guarantee sound judgment.”

“Did Sophia learn to sign during treatment?”

Vale paused.

“We explored several alternatives.”

“Did she communicate with Ruby?”

“Some responses appeared meaningful. Others were imitation.”

Santiago placed a photocopy of Ruby's report on the desk.

“Then why does your handwritten note say, Do not include successful signing in the family's summary?”

Vale stopped moving.

Tomas had found the note attached to an archived insurance submission. Its handwriting had been compared with other clinic documents.

“Out of context,” Vale said.

“Explain the context.”

“Mr. Moretti, your sister is vulnerable. Overinterpreting her behavior could distress her.”

“You've been telling me that for seven years.”

Vale's voice cooled.

“And I've helped keep her stable.”

Santiago leaned forward.

“Stable or silent?”

For the first time, the doctor had no immediate answer.

Upstairs, Ruby was teaching Sophia a new way to communicate by tablet, one that allowed her to write as well as sign.

Sophia typed carefully.

He told me the rules.

Ruby did not ask who.

She waited.

Sophia added another sentence.

He said Santiago would die if I told.

Ruby felt her own pulse quicken.

She asked whether Sophia wanted to tell her brother.

Sophia looked at the door.

Then typed one word.

Yes.

Downstairs, Santiago received a message from Ruby requesting that he come up when the doctor had left.

But Vale noticed the name on his phone.

“She's here?”

Santiago's expression hardened.

“You already knew she was back.”

Vale stood abruptly.

“I strongly advise against allowing her near Sophia.”

“Why?”

The doctor's gaze flicked toward the open study door.

“Because if she starts asking about the crash, she will damage everything we've spent years protecting.”

He realized what he'd said.

Too late.

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Santiago stood.

“Protecting whom, Doctor?”