Chapter 11 - THE DOCTOR WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Dr. Samuel Voss had retired six months after Claire died.
He now lived in Rhode Island.
Detective Briggs interviewed him the following morning.
At first, Voss denied knowing Celeste outside social events.
Then investigators showed him bank records.
Three payments.
Each routed through consulting companies connected to Richard.
Total:
Four hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Voss asked for an attorney.
That afternoon, his attorney contacted investigators.
Voss wanted to cooperate.
Ethan attended the formal interview behind a one-way observation window.
The retired physician looked ten years older than Ethan remembered.
He admitted altering portions of Claire's medical records.
He admitted suppressing one toxicology request.
He admitted telling another doctor that Claire's concerns were symptoms of anxiety.
But he denied causing her illness.
“Richard told me they needed time.”
Detective Briggs asked, “Time for what?”
“He said Mrs. Cole was threatening to destroy a complicated business transaction.”
“So you falsified medical information?”
“I changed interpretations.”
“You took almost half a million dollars.”
Voss lowered his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Did you know someone might be making her sick?”
Silence.
“Doctor?”
“I suspected.”
Ethan's hands closed into fists.
Briggs continued.
“What did you suspect?”
Voss spoke slowly.
“Claire's symptoms didn't match the diagnosis cleanly.”
“Why not?”
“They fluctuated too much.”
“Did she tell you anything?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“She believed something in the house was responsible.”
“Food?”
“Possibly.”
“Drink?”
Voss nodded.
“She specifically mentioned herbal tea.”
Ethan remembered.
Celeste had brought Claire tea constantly.
She called it a wellness blend.
Claire often drank it because she didn't want to seem rude.
Briggs placed a photograph of the laboratory receipt from Richard's cabin on the table.
Voss looked at it.
His face changed.
“Do you recognize that?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
Voss answered carefully.
“A compound used in certain industrial processes.”
“Could it cause Claire's symptoms?”
“In repeated small exposure, possibly.”
Ethan felt sick.
Briggs leaned forward.
“Could it cause death?”
Voss did not answer immediately.
Then he nodded.
“Yes.”
The investigation changed instantly.
Claire's preserved medical samples were located at the hospital.
New testing was ordered.
Results would take time.
Meanwhile, Voss revealed one more fact.
“Claire gave me something during her final appointment.”
“What?”
“A sealed envelope.”
“Where is it?”
“I kept it.”
“Why?”
“She told me if she died, I should give it to Ethan.”
Briggs stared at him.
“And you didn't?”
Voss looked toward the observation glass as though he knew Ethan was standing behind it.
“Richard knew I had it.”
“What did he say?”
“That if I gave it to Ethan, my career would end.”
Briggs' voice became cold.
“Your career ended anyway.”
Voss nodded.
The envelope was recovered from a safe in his home.
May you like
On the front, Claire had written only three words.
HE CHOSE MONEY.
