Chapter 10 - THE FOUNDATION’S SECRETS
Adrian’s threat could not be ignored.
Every major institution carried failures, settlements, and decisions its leaders wished they had handled differently.
St. Catherine’s was no exception.
The portable drive contained reports spanning twenty years.
Some involved patient complaints.
Others documented medical errors, internal disputes, and confidential settlements.
Many records were legitimate and legally protected.
A smaller group suggested that previous administrators had concealed preventable mistakes.
Richard read the reports in silence.
“These should have been disclosed to the oversight committee,” he said.
Elena agreed.
“Some occurred before your chairmanship.”
“That does not remove our responsibility.”
Adrian expected Richard to hide the records.
He believed the chairman would protect the foundation’s reputation at any cost.
If Richard concealed them, Adrian could claim the entire institution was corrupt.
If Richard released everything without review, private patient information could be exposed.
The board faced an impossible choice.
Richard made the only decision Adrian had not anticipated.
He authorized an independent public inquiry.
A retired federal judge was appointed to lead it.
Patient information would remain protected, but institutional failures would be examined openly.
The announcement stunned the board.
Several trustees resigned.
Donors threatened to withdraw support.
Richard did not change course.
“We cannot demand accountability from Adrian while avoiding it ourselves,” he said.
His decision took away Adrian’s leverage.
The foundation’s secrets were no longer his weapon.
Meanwhile, police traced the false passports found in the safe.
One contained Adrian’s photograph under the name Adam Crane.
It listed a temporary address connected to a private airfield.
Officers searched the property.
They found an abandoned vehicle and a burned mobile phone.
Adrian had escaped again.
Lucas Cole remained missing as well.
Investigators began to suspect they were traveling together.
Vanessa refused to cooperate until prosecutors showed her the photographs from Lake Ash.
One picture showed Adrian and Lucas loading luggage into a vehicle.
The timestamp was recorded several hours after Vanessa’s arrest.
Adrian had taken her brother with him.
He had left her behind.
Vanessa’s loyalty collapsed.
She requested a meeting with prosecutors.
I was not permitted inside, but Elena later summarized her statement.
Vanessa admitted helping create the shell companies.
She claimed Adrian promised her a position on the foundation board once he forced Richard to resign.
She also admitted planting the vial in my handbag.
She denied knowing Samuel had damaged my car.
Most importantly, she revealed that Adrian planned to leave the country aboard a medical transport aircraft.
The flight would depart from a private terminal the following evening.
The aircraft was registered to a charity called Global Hearts Outreach.
The organization appeared to provide emergency surgery in developing countries.
In reality, it was another financial channel controlled by Adrian.
Police prepared to intercept the flight.
Marcus remained cautious.
“Vanessa may be giving us false information to reduce her own charges.”
“She wants revenge,” I said.
“Revenge can still produce useful information.”
The next evening, officers surrounded the private terminal.
The medical aircraft sat on the runway with its engines running.
Police entered the hangar.
They found Lucas Cole hiding inside a supply vehicle.
They found passports, cash, and medical equipment purchased with foundation money.
They did not find Adrian.
Inside the aircraft, investigators discovered a phone playing a recorded message.
Adrian’s voice filled the cabin.
May you like
“You are always one room behind me.”
Then every light in the terminal went dark.
