Chapter 6
Peter Lang was brought in that afternoon.
Not dragged.
Invited.
Men reveal more when they think they still have options.
He entered the suite.
Saw Linda.
Ryan.
Me.
Stopped.
“Vincent.”
“Doctor.”
James held up the bottle.
Lang’s face changed.
Enough.
I asked:
“Did you authorize this label?”
“No.”
James placed the pharmacy record beside it.
“Your credential.”
Lang stared.
Then at Linda.
She smiled.
“Don’t be dramatic.”
He turned toward her.
“You said no one would ever see that.”
Emily inhaled sharply.
There.
I looked at him.
“What did she tell you?”
Lang swallowed.
“That the medication was for Ryan.”
Ryan frowned.
“What?”
Linda turned.
“Be quiet.”
I almost smiled.
Ryan did not know the entire plan.
Again.
Control inside control.
Lang continued.
“She said the label needed another name.”
“Why Noah?”
Linda interrupted:
“He’s confused.”
Lang laughed nervously.
“No.”
My mother-in-law’s face hardened.
He kept going.
“She said if anyone found the bottle, they’d assume Emily made a mistake.”
Emily stared.
Linda had built a second story.
Not only make Noah weak.
Make Emily look responsible.
I stepped closer.
“What happens when I believe Emily gave her own child dangerous medicine?”
Lang looked away.
Ryan answered.
“She steps back.”
I turned.
He had known that part.
Emily’s face twisted.
“You planned to make Dad think I hurt Noah.”
Ryan said:
“You were never supposed to be blamed permanently.”
“Temporarily?”
He said nothing.
That word hung between us anyway.
Linda smiled.
“Vincent would protect the children.”
“From Emily.”
“If necessary.”
Emma started crying.
Linda rolled her eyes.
“Now what?”
My granddaughter looked at her mother.
“Mommy didn’t hurt Noah.”
Emily grabbed her.
“No.”
Emma turned toward me.
“Mommy didn’t.”
“I know.”
Linda scoffed.
“You know now.”
I stared.
“Meaning?”
She smiled.
“If Emma hadn’t found the bottle, what would you have believed next month?”
No remorse.
Almost pride.
James looked disgusted.
I did not give Linda the satisfaction of anger.
I asked Lang:
“What was next month?”
His face went pale.
Ryan whispered:
“Don’t.”
Too late.
Lang answered.
“A private examination.”
“For whom?”
“Emily.”
May you like
The plan had never stopped at making her look like an exhausted mother.
They intended to make the family believe she was unstable too.
