Chapter 7 - THE DOCTOR WHO NEVER TREATED HER
Claire found Dr. Samuel Keller before noon.
He operated a private wellness practice outside Denver.
His website described him as an executive mental-health consultant.
His records showed no appointment with Elena.
No evaluation.
No treatment.
Nothing.
Yet he had signed a declaration discussing her mental condition.
Claire requested an emergency hearing.
Elena wanted to attend.
Dr. Hart objected.
“You are still at risk of premature labor.”
“I can appear by video.”
“That would be safer.”
The hearing began at three.
Diego appeared beside his attorney.
Brenna sat behind him.
Elena watched from the hospital bed.
Diego looked exhausted.
She knew him well enough to recognize the performance.
Slightly unshaven.
Dark circles.
Wedding ring still visible.
The image of a devastated husband.
His attorney spoke first.
“Mr. Navarro is deeply concerned that his wife is being isolated by her father during a medical crisis.”
Elena almost laughed.
Claire did not.
She waited.
Then the judge asked about Dr. Keller's declaration.
Claire lifted one sheet of paper.
“Your Honor, Dr. Keller has never examined my client.”
Diego's attorney hesitated.
“We were informed there had been consultations.”
“By whom?”
Silence.
The judge looked toward Diego.
“Mr. Navarro?”
Diego cleared his throat.
“My mother arranged some conversations.”
The judge looked at Brenna.
Brenna's face remained composed.
Claire continued.
“We have obtained billing records.”
“Dr. Keller was paid eighteen thousand dollars by an entity called North Crown Holdings six days before signing this declaration.”
Diego's attorney turned toward him.
That reaction was not staged.
He had not known.
Claire saw it.
So did Elena.
The judge ordered the declaration removed pending investigation.
Diego's petition was denied.
For the first time since the patio, Elena felt she could breathe.
Then Claire asked one final question.
“Your Honor, may I place one concern on the record?”
“Proceed.”
“My client has discovered that documents bearing her electronic signature were used to transfer financial rights to North Crown Holdings.”
Diego stood abruptly.
“That is a lie.”
His attorney grabbed his arm.
The judge's expression hardened.
“Sit down.”
Diego sat.
Claire continued.
“We are requesting preservation of all financial records connected to Mr. Navarro, Mrs. Brenna Navarro, Dr. Keller, and North Crown Holdings.”
The judge granted it.
The hearing ended.
Elena looked at Claire.
“We got them.”
Claire shook her head.
“We stopped one move.”
“That is not the same thing.”
Two hours later, Aaron rushed into the room.
“Thomas Reed has been found.”
Alvin stood.
“Where?”
“In a motel outside Grand Junction.”
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
Elena exhaled.
Aaron did not look relieved.
“He contacted me first.”
“Why?”
“He wants immunity.”
Claire folded her arms.
“For what?”
Aaron looked at Elena.
“For altering the security system.”
“And for installing a second camera inside your bedroom.”
Elena went completely still.
“What second camera?”
Aaron placed a small device on the table.
It looked like an ordinary smoke detector.
Inside was a hidden lens.
“We found three.”
“One in your bedroom.”
May you like
“One in the upstairs study.”
“And one pointed directly at the desk where Diego kept asking you to sign documents.”
