Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Woman My Family Blamed
For twelve years, Patricia Lewis had carried: The Woman My Family Blamed
For twelve years, Patricia Lewis had carried the shame of a crime she insisted she the shame of a crime she insisted she never committed.
Now, sitting across from her never committed.
Now, sitting across from her in a hospital conference room, I could see exactly what those twelve years had cost her.
Her hands trembled as she placed in a hospital conference room, I could see exactly what those twelve years had cost her.
Her hands trembled as she placed her handbag on the table. Her silver hair was neatly combed, and she wore a modest navy cardigan with a her handbag on the table. Her silver hair was neatly combed, and she wore a modest navy cardigan with a loose thread near one cuff.
She looked like someone who had learned to make herself smaller whenever loose thread near one cuff. She looked like someone who had learned to make herself smaller whenever people with money entered a room.
Beside her sat Eleanor Foster, her fingers wrapped around a glass of people with money entered a room.
Beside her sat Eleanor Foster, her fingers wrapped around a glass of water.
Dr. Raymond Foster stood near the window.
And in front of us lay a sealed envelope bearing my water.
Dr. Raymond Foster stood near the window.
And in front of us lay a sealed envelope bearing my grandfather's handwriting.
I looked at Patricia.
“Raymond told me my grandfather believed you might be blamed for the missing money.””
She nodded grandfather's handwriting.
I looked at Patricia.
“Raymond told me my grandfather believed you might be blamed for the missing money.””
She nodded slowly.
“He knew I was being pushed out.””
“Did he tell you who was responsible?””
“No.”” Her eyes moved slowly.
“He knew I was being pushed out.””
“Did he tell you who was responsible?””
“No.”” Her eyes moved toward the envelope.
“He said he was gathering the records and would explain everything when he had enough evidence. But toward the envelope.
“He said he was gathering the records and would explain everything when he had enough evidence. But he died before he could finish.””
I swallowed.
“And then my father took over the foundation.””
“Yes.””
“Why didn't you go to the police?””
Patricia's expression tightened.
“I did speak he died before he could finish.””
I swallowed.
“And then my father took over the foundation.””
“Yes.””
“Why didn't you go to the police?””
Patricia's expression tightened.
“I did speak to an investigator when the clinic closed. I gave them the documents I had. But the to an investigator when the clinic closed.
I gave them the documents I had. But the foundation's lawyers produced records showing that my credentials had been used to authorize the disputed transactions.””
“Even though you said you foundation's lawyers produced records showing that my credentials had been used to authorize the disputed transactions.””
“Even though you said you hadn't authorized them?””
“I had no way to prove it. I didn't control the accounting system. I didn't have access to the original ledger anymore hadn't authorized them?””
“I had no way to prove it. I didn't control the accounting system. I didn't have access to the original ledger anymore.
Your father said the matter had been reviewed internally and that the foundation considered it closed. Your father said the matter had been reviewed internally and that the foundation considered it closed.””
I stared at the table.
My father had spent years teaching me that integrity meant accepting responsibility for my mistakes.
He had.””
I stared at the table.
My father had spent years teaching me that integrity meant accepting responsibility for my mistakes.
He had never mentioned that another person might have been forced to accept responsibility for his.
Eleanor reached across the table and touched Patricia's hand.
“Your grandfather trusted never mentioned that another person might have been forced to accept responsibility for his.
Eleanor reached across the table and touched Patricia's hand.
“Your grandfather trusted you,” she said.
“He told me you were the only person who consistently asked whether the patients were getting what the donors had promised them you,” she said.
“He told me you were the only person who consistently asked whether the patients were getting what the donors had promised them.””
Patricia blinked rapidly.
“I was just doing my job.””
“Sometimes,” Eleanor replied, “doing your job is what makes powerful people.””
Patricia blinked rapidly.
“I was just doing my job.””
“Sometimes,” Eleanor replied, “doing your job is what makes powerful people uncomfortable.””
I turned toward her.
“Why did my grandfather leave the ledger with uncomfortable.””
I turned toward her.
“Why did my grandfather leave the ledger with you?””
Eleanor took a breath.
“He came to see me shortly before he died. He was worried about discrepancies in you?””
Eleanor took a breath.
“He came to see me shortly before he died. He was worried about discrepancies in the clinic's accounts, but he didn't want to accuse anyone without evidence. He asked me to keep a duplicate copy of the ledger somewhere safe.””
“Did he the clinic's accounts, but he didn't want to accuse anyone without evidence. He asked me to keep a duplicate copy of the ledger somewhere safe.””
“Did he say my father was involved?””
“He said he was afraid Robert had made a decision he couldn't say my father was involved?””
“He said he was afraid Robert had made a decision he couldn't undo.””
My chest tightened.
“What decision?””
“He wouldn't tell me. He said he needed to establish the facts first.””
undo.””
My chest tightened.
“What decision?””
“He wouldn't tell me. He said he needed to establish the facts first.””
I looked at the sealed envelope.
“Then let's open it.””
Eleanor shook her head.
“Not yet.””
“Why not?””
“Because this statement wasI looked at the sealed envelope.
“Then let's open it.””
Eleanor shook her head.
“Not yet.””
“Why not?””
“Because this statement was written for the independent investigator your grandfather intended to contact. It contains personal information about several patients. We written for the independent investigator your grandfather intended to contact.
It contains personal information about several patients. We need Caroline Hayes here, or another authorized investigator, to document it properly.””
I wanted to argue.
I need Caroline Hayes here, or another authorized investigator, to document it properly.””
I wanted to argue.
I wanted answers immediately.
But I knew she was right. If the documents contained confidential patient information, opening them wanted answers immediately.
But I knew she was right. If the documents contained confidential patient information, opening them carelessly could harm the very people my grandfather had tried to protect.
Raymond moved away from the window.
“I carelessly could harm the very people my grandfather had tried to protect.
Raymond moved away from the window.
“I've contacted Caroline. She's sending an investigator who can authenticate the records and establish a chain of custody.””
I've contacted Caroline. She's sending an investigator who can authenticate the records and establish a chain of custody.””
I looked at him.
“How long?””
“An hour.””
I forced myself to sit back.
An hour seemed unbearable.
looked at him.
“How long?””
“An hour.””
I forced myself to sit back.
An hour seemed unbearable.
For twelve years, I had known almost nothing about what happened at the clinic. Now I could feel the truth sittingFor twelve years, I had known almost nothing about what happened at the clinic. Now I could feel the truth sitting inches away, separated from me by a sealed envelope and a lifetime of family secrets.
My inches away, separated from me by a sealed envelope and a lifetime of family secrets.
My phone buzzed.
Dad.
I declined the call.
It rang again immediately.
Then a message appeared.
** phone buzzed.
Dad.
I declined the call.
It rang again immediately.
Then a message appeared.
*Dad:* Your mother tells me you've been speaking to Patricia. You need to stop this before you damage people who have done nothing wrong.
IDad:** Your mother tells me you've been speaking to Patricia. You need to stop this before you damage people who have done nothing wrong.
I stared at the screen.
A second message arrived.
*Dad:* Come home tonight. We will explain everything as stared at the screen.
A second message arrived.
*Dad:* Come home tonight. We will explain everything as a family.
I looked at Patricia.
“Did my father contact you recently?””
Her face changed.
“Yes.””
“When a family.
I looked at Patricia.
“Did my father contact you recently?””
Her face changed.
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Yesterday afternoon.””
“What did he say?””
She hesitated.
“He asked whether I still had the documents from the clinic.?””
“Yesterday afternoon.””
“What did he say?””
She hesitated.
“He asked whether I still had the documents from the clinic. He said the foundation was reviewing old records and that it would be better for everyone if I returned anything that could be He said the foundation was reviewing old records and that it would be better for everyone if I returned anything that could be misunderstood.””
My jaw tightened.
“Did he threaten you?””
“Not directly. He said my name might come up again, misunderstood.””
My jaw tightened.
“Did he threaten you?””
“Not directly. He said my name might come up again, and he didn't want me to suffer another public embarrassment.””
I looked at Raymond.
“That sounds like a threat.””
“It sounds and he didn't want me to suffer another public embarrassment.””
I looked at Raymond.
“That sounds like a threat.””
“It sounds like an attempt to influence a witness,” he said carefully.
“But the investigator should determine how to characterize it.””
Patricia lowered like an attempt to influence a witness,” he said carefully.
“But the investigator should determine how to characterize it.””
Patricia lowered her eyes.
“I don't want revenge, Mila. I just want people to know I didn't steal from those her eyes.
“I don't want revenge, Mila. I just want people to know I didn't steal from those patients.””
I reached across the table and covered her hand with mine.
“Then that's what we'll try to establish.””
She looked at me for patients.””
I reached across the table and covered her hand with mine.
“Then that's what we'll try to establish.””
She looked at me for a long moment.
“You're your grandfather's granddaughter.””
I wasn't sure whether it was a compliment or a burden.
Before I could respond a long moment.
“You're your grandfather's granddaughter.””
I wasn't sure whether it was a compliment or a burden.
Before I could respond, the conference room door opened.
Caroline Hayes entered with a woman carrying a laptop and a portable document scanner.
“, the conference room door opened.
Caroline Hayes entered with a woman carrying a laptop and a portable document scanner.
“Thank you for waiting,” Caroline said.
“This is Julia Mercer, an independent forensic accountantThank you for waiting,” Caroline said.
“This is Julia Mercer, an independent forensic accountant. She'll supervise the examination of the records.””
Julia introduced herself, put on a pair of gloves, and carefully placed the envelope on a. She'll supervise the examination of the records.””
Julia introduced herself, put on a pair of gloves, and carefully placed the envelope on a clean section of the table.
“We'll photograph the seal first,” she explained.
“Then we'll document the clean section of the table.
“We'll photograph the seal first,” she explained.
“Then we'll document the contents, preserve the originals, and make verified copies for the investigation.””
The process was contents, preserve the originals, and make verified copies for the investigation.””
The process was painstaking.
Every page was photographed. Each document received an identifying number. Julia recorded the condition of the paper painstaking.
Every page was photographed. Each document received an identifying number. Julia recorded the condition of the paper and noted the dates, signatures, and handwritten annotations.
Finally, she opened the envelope.
Inside was a statement, a folded ledger summary and noted the dates, signatures, and handwritten annotations.
Finally, she opened the envelope.
Inside was a statement, a folded ledger summary, and a second envelope containing several pages of handwritten notes.
Julia read the first page silently.
Then she looked at Caroline.
“There's, and a second envelope containing several pages of handwritten notes.
Julia read the first page silently.
Then she looked at Caroline.
“There's a discrepancy here.””
Caroline leaned closer.
“What kind?””
“The statement refers to an authorization signed on September four a discrepancy here.””
Caroline leaned closer.
“What kind?””
“The statement refers to an authorization signed on September fourteenth. The ledger summary shows a transfer dated September twelfth.””
She compared the pages.
“And the transaction number doesn't match the number in the public accountingteenth. The ledger summary shows a transfer dated September twelfth.””
She compared the pages.
“And the transaction number doesn't match the number in the public accounting record.””
I leaned forward.
“What does that mean?””
“It means we need to establish which record was created record.””
I leaned forward.
“What does that mean?””
“It means we need to establish which record was created first and whether the later documents accurately reflect the original transaction.””
Julia turned to the handwritten statement first and whether the later documents accurately reflect the original transaction.””
Julia turned to the handwritten statement.
My grandfather's words were clear, even after all those years.
He described.
My grandfather's words were clear, even after all those years.
He described a series of transfers from accounts restricted to patient assistance. He explained that he had instructed the board to preserve the funds and obtain a series of transfers from accounts restricted to patient assistance. He explained that he had instructed the board to preserve the funds and obtain written authorization before moving them.
Then came the paragraph that made Caroline stop reading.
*I have reason written authorization before moving them.
Then came the paragraph that made Caroline stop reading.
*I have reason to believe the authorization attributed to Patricia Lewis was not executed by Patricia. The signature appears inconsistent with her other records to believe the authorization attributed to Patricia Lewis was not executed by Patricia. The signature appears inconsistent with her other records, and she has denied approving the transfer.
I have requested an independent examination of the original, and she has denied approving the transfer. I have requested an independent examination of the original documents.*
Patricia covered her mouth.
“Oh, my God.””
I felt a rush of anger so intense that I had to documents.*
Patricia covered her mouth.
“Oh, my God.””
I felt a rush of anger so intense that I had to grip the edge of my chair.
My grandfather had suspected she was being blamed for something she hadn't done.
He had grip the edge of my chair.
My grandfather had suspected she was being blamed for something she hadn't done.
He had documented it.
And somehow, those records had disappeared from the foundation's official review.
Julia continued.
The statement documented it.
And somehow, those records had disappeared from the foundation's official review.
Julia continued.
The statement explained that my grandfather had discovered a second ledger containing entries that did not appear in the summary prepared for the board.
explained that my grandfather had discovered a second ledger containing entries that did not appear in the summary prepared for the board.
He had requested access to the original accounting system.
The request had been delayed.
Then his health deteriorated.
He died before heHe had requested access to the original accounting system.
The request had been delayed.
Then his health deteriorated.
He died before he could complete the review.
At the bottom of the statement, he had written:
*I cannot establish who authorized could complete the review.
At the bottom of the statement, he had written:
I cannot establish who authorized the disputed transfers without access to the original system records. However, Patricia must not be blamed merely because her credentials appear on the disputed transfers without access to the original system records. However, Patricia must not be blamed merely because her credentials appear on a document. The person who controlled access to the system must be identified.
I looked up.
“Who controlled access?””
Julia a document. The person who controlled access to the system must be identified.*
I looked up.
“Who controlled access?””
Julia examined the accompanying notes.
“The record identifies two administrative users and one board-level account. We need the original access logs to determine examined the accompanying notes.
“The record identifies two administrative users and one board-level account. We need the original access logs to determine who used them.””
“Can those records still exist?””
“Possibly. Some systems retain archived logs longer who used them.””
“Can those records still exist?””
“Possibly. Some systems retain archived logs longer than others, and the foundation may have preserved backups.””
Caroline made a note.
“We'll request them.””
Then Julia unfolded the final page.
than others, and the foundation may have preserved backups.””
Caroline made a note.
“We'll request them.””
Then Julia unfolded the final page.
It contained a list of transactions, with initials beside each entry.
R.C.
M.C.
P.L.
My father'sIt contained a list of transactions, with initials beside each entry.
R.C.
M.C.
P.L.
My father's initials appeared beside several transfers.
My mother's appeared beside others.
Patricia's appeared on the disputed authorization.
But the handwritten statement suggested that her signature initials appeared beside several transfers.
My mother's appeared beside others.
Patricia's appeared on the disputed authorization.
But the handwritten statement suggested that her signature might have been copied.
I felt sick.
“Can you tell whether the signature is genuine?””
“Not from this document alone,” Julia replied.
“We would need the original authorization and suitable might have been copied.
I felt sick.
“Can you tell whether the signature is genuine?””
“Not from this document alone,” Julia replied.
“We would need the original authorization and suitable comparison samples. A forensic document examiner could assess it.””
Caroline nodded.
“That's our next step.””
I comparison samples. A forensic document examiner could assess it.””
Caroline nodded.
“That's our next step.””
I looked at my grandfather's statement.
He had not accused my father.
He had not accused my mother.
He had done something more careful.
He had documented what he knew, identified what he couldn't prove, and insisted that looked at my grandfather's statement.
He had not accused my father.
He had not accused my mother.
He had done something more careful.
He had documented what he knew, identified what he couldn't prove, and insisted that Patricia should not be blamed without evidence.
That was the kind of honesty I wanted to practice as a physician.
It was Patricia should not be blamed without evidence.
That was the kind of honesty I wanted to practice as a physician.
It was also the kind of honesty my family had spent twelve years avoiding.
Caroline closed the folder.
“There's another issue. The current also the kind of honesty my family had spent twelve years avoiding.
Caroline closed the folder.
“There's another issue. The current foundation board has confirmed that a sealed archive box from the clinic was transferred to a storage facility when foundation board has confirmed that a sealed archive box from the clinic was transferred to a storage facility when the administrative building was sold. The box was never included in the final inventory.””
“Where is it now?”” I asked.
“The the administrative building was sold. The box was never included in the final inventory.””
“Where is it now?”” I asked.
“The storage facility still has a record of it, but access requires authorization from the foundation's board.””
I felt storage facility still has a record of it, but access requires authorization from the foundation's board.””
I felt a chill.
“My father is still on the board.””
“Yes.””
“Can he stop you a chill.
“My father is still on the board.””
“Yes.””
“Can he stop you from getting it?””
“Not indefinitely. The board can authorize access, and if necessary, the appropriate legal process can compel production.””
Patricia stared at from getting it?””
“Not indefinitely. The board can authorize access, and if necessary, the appropriate legal process can compel production.””
Patricia stared at the table.
“I knew there was another ledger,” she whispered.
“Your grandfather told me he had made a duplicate. I the table.
“I knew there was another ledger,” she whispered.
“Your grandfather told me he had made a duplicate. I never knew whether he had managed to finish it.””
Julia looked at the handwritten statement again never knew whether he had managed to finish it.””
Julia looked at the handwritten statement again.
“Based on this, I believe the missing ledger could be important.””
Caroline turned to Patricia.
“Would you be willing to make a formal statement about the transactions.
“Based on this, I believe the missing ledger could be important.””
Caroline turned to Patricia.
“Would you be willing to make a formal statement about the transactions and your dismissal?””
Patricia drew a shaky breath.
“Yes.””
“And would you be comfortable allowing the records to be shared with the independent investigator?””
“Yes.””
and your dismissal?””
Patricia drew a shaky breath.
“Yes.””
“And would you be comfortable allowing the records to be shared with the independent investigator?””
“Yes.””
“Thank you.””
Caroline gathered the documents.
As she prepared to leave, my phone buzzed again“Thank you.””
Caroline gathered the documents.
As she prepared to leave, my phone buzzed again.
This time, the message was from my mother.
*Mom:* Your father is very upset. Please come home. There are.
This time, the message was from my mother.
*Mom:* Your father is very upset. Please come home. There are things you need to hear from us, not from strangers.
I stared at the screen.
For years, those things you need to hear from us, not from strangers.
I stared at the screen.
For years, those words would have been enough to make me drop everything and rush to my parents' house.
Not anymore.
I typed words would have been enough to make me drop everything and rush to my parents' house.
Not anymore.
I typed my response carefully.
*Me:* I'll meet you tomorrow. I want the truth about my response carefully.
*Me:* I'll meet you tomorrow. I want the truth about the clinic, the foundation, and Ethan's proposed position. Please don't ask me to keep anything from the investigators.
I pressed the clinic, the foundation, and Ethan's proposed position. Please don't ask me to keep anything from the investigators.
I pressed send.
My mother replied almost immediately.
*Mom:* You don't understand what you're asking for.
I looked at Patricia, who was finally send.
My mother replied almost immediately.
*Mom:* You don't understand what you're asking for.
I looked at Patricia, who was finally sitting a little straighter in her chair.
Maybe my mother was right.
Maybe I didn't yet understand the full cost of the truth sitting a little straighter in her chair.
Maybe my mother was right.
Maybe I didn't yet understand the full cost of the truth.
But I was no longer willing to let my family's fear determine who had to pay it.
And the following morning, when I.
But I was no longer willing to let my family's fear determine who had to pay it.
And the following morning, when I walked into my parents' house, I intended to ask every question they'd spent twelve years avoiding.
What I didn't know walked into my parents' house, I intended to ask every question they'd spent twelve years avoiding.
May you like
What I didn't know was that Ethan had already arrived.
And he had brought something that would change the investigation completely.
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