“Elena wanted the originals preserved until an independent attorney could retrieve them.”
Rachel examined the number stamped into the metal.
“There is more?”
Vanessa nodded.
“Medical records. Correspondence. A copy of Dr. Leland’s complete report.”
My pulse quickened.
“And?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“One envelope Elena told me never to open.”
“Addressed to whom?”
Vanessa met my eyes.
“To me.”
That evening, with court authorization, Rachel accompanied Vanessa and Maria Reyes to the bank.
I stayed home.
For three hours, I watched the clock.
At 8:14, Rachel returned.
She placed a thick folder on my desk.
“The report exists.”
I exhaled slowly.
“And what does it say?”
“That on March seventeenth, Dr. Leland considered you temporarily impaired by fatigue and possible medication effects. He specifically recommended against making permanent legal conclusions until you were reevaluated.”
My hands trembled.
Not from illness this time.
“Then Daniel’s case—”
“Is more complicated than he represented.”
