Chapter 4 - The Silent Witness
Tessa Vance rushed toward the seating area, her face painted with an expression of intense, frantic concern. She held a designer handbag tightly under her arm.
"Eli! Oh thank God, you're safe!" Tessa exclaimed, reaching out to grab the boy's arm.
Claire stepped smoothly between Tessa and the boy, blocking her reach.
"Ma'am, I’m Dr. Claire Rowan, the attending physician in charge of the emergency department tonight. Who are you?" Claire asked, her voice cool, calm, and completely devoid of warmth.
Tessa paused, her eyes flickering over Claire’s blood-stained scrubs before settling on her face.
"I’m Tessa Vance. I’m Mara’s closest friend—practically her sister," Tessa said, her voice trembling with theatrical emotion. "I saw the police cars heading toward the highway, and when I couldn't reach Mara on her cell phone, I called the rideshare company. They told me the driver dropped them here! How is she? How is the baby?"
"Mara is currently in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit," Claire said carefully. "The baby was delivered via emergency C-section and is currently in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit."
Tessa’s face paled slightly. " delivered? But... she wasn't due for another month! Is the baby... alive?"
"Yes," Claire replied, watching Tessa’s eyes intently. "The baby is alive."
Claire noticed a subtle, micro-expression flash across Tessa’s face—not relief, but a sudden, sharp flicker of rage and panic. It lasted for less than a fraction of a second before Tessa forced a tearful smile.
"Oh, thank God! That’s... that’s a miracle!" Tessa gasped, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "Can I see her? Can I take Eli home with me? He must be terrified. He can stay at my house while Mara recovers."
"I’m afraid Mara cannot have visitors right now," Claire said firmly. "She is in a medically induced coma and her condition is extremely unstable. As for Eli, hospital protocol requires us to keep minor family members with hospital social services until official legal guardianship or next-of-kin verification is established."
"I have Mara’s power of attorney!" Tessa said quickly, her voice taking on a sharp edge. "I handle all her legal affairs!"
"Then you can provide those documents to our legal department in the morning," Claire countered smoothly. "Until then, Eli stays here."
Eli pulled tighter against Claire’s side, his fingers knotting into the fabric of her coat.
Tessa looked at Eli, her eyes darkening. "Eli, sweetie, come with Aunt Tessa. You know your mother would want you to come with me."
"No," Eli said, his voice quiet but surprisingly firm. "Mom told me never to go anywhere with anyone unless she gave me the key phrase."
Tessa laughed nervously. "Eli, don't be ridiculous. This is an emergency."
"What's the key phrase, Aunt Tessa?" Eli asked, looking her dead in the eye.
Tessa stared at him, her mouth opening and closing uselessly. She didn't know it.
"You don't know it," Eli said softly. "Because Mom only gave it to me and Uncle David before he died."
Tessa’s composure cracked further. She took a step back, her nostrils flaring. "I was only trying to help. Fine. I will go home and retrieve the legal documents. But I expect to be notified the moment Mara wakes up."
"Of course," Claire said with a polite, empty smile. "Have a safe drive in the rain, Ms. Vance."
Tessa turned on her heel and hurried out through the automatic glass doors, her heels clicking angrily against the polished tile floor.
Claire immediately turned to the hospital security guard standing near the desk. "Mark, follow her to her car. Get her license plate number, make, model, and color. Then call Detective Vance at the 4th Precinct—tell him we have an attempted homicide and child endangerment case at Lakewood Memorial."
Claire then looked down at Eli.
"Eli," Claire said softly, kneeling back down. "Where is your mother’s medicine bag right now?"
Eli pointed to the metal locker behind the nurse’s desk. "Nurse June locked it in there."
"Good," Claire said. "Because in that bag is the evidence that is going to put Aunt Tessa away for a very long time."
Eli looked at Claire, his small face illuminated by the bright fluorescent lights. "Dr. Claire... Aunt Tessa killed my dad, didn't she?"
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The question hung in the air like heavy smoke. Claire felt her heart ache for the brilliant, broken child standing before her.
"We are going to find out the truth, Eli," Claire promised. "I give you my word."
