“She came with two attorneys and a member of the hospital’s board of directors,” Reeves said.

“By morning, the original trauma team was reassigned, the local police chief had personally taken custody of the scene photos, and the cause of death was amended.”

“They bought the silence of a metropolitan hospital,” I said.

“They bought the coroner, the chief of police, and the administration,” Reeves said.

He closed the folder, the heavy cardstock making a sharp slap in the quiet room.

“Margaret paid a two-million-dollar endowment to our oncology wing the following week.”

I looked down at Emily, who was watching us with wide, terrified eyes.

Her pale hand gripped the hospital blanket, her knuckles white.

“He did it to her, Mom,” Emily whispered, her voice trembling. “Ethan told me once that accidents happen to people who don’t listen.”

My chest tightened with a cold, protective rage.

I reached out and placed my hand over hers, feeling her pulse racing against my palm.

“He won’t touch you again, Emily,” I said.