I gritted my teeth.“And the others?”
“The anticholinergic causes confusion and hallucinations.The barbiturates dull cognition.Each one alone might be defensible.Anticholinergics are often used to manage tremors associated with LBD, and benzodiazepines can be given to help with sleep or anxiety, particularly if a patient is suffering from severe moments of paranoia.But when I look at the bigger picture here, specifically the brain scans?”He shook his head.“This looks deliberate.My opinion is that someone wanted her to think she’d lost her mind.Or someone wanted those close to her to think she’d lost her mind.”
I stared at the two scans again, my reflection faint in the glass screen — jaw tight, eyes flat, my blood boiling the more I thought about everything.About the reason for all of this.
Aboutwhowould do this.
There was no doubt in my mind Victor was behind it.
According to Ariana, her mother hadn’t shown symptoms of impaired brain function untilafterVictor Kane entered their lives.Sure, she suffered from depression after losing her husband, but she’d exhibited no signs of dementia until Victor.
And he’d swooped in like a savior, paying for treatments, handling the logistics, weaving his web of control.He’d found a way to weaponize her fragility, to chain Ariana with it.
My hands curled into fists, the sound of my pulse drowning out everything else.
Victor didn’t just ruin Ariana.He destroyed everyone she loved.Hollowed them out.Turned them into tools for his manipulation.
“What do we do now?”My voice was low.Controlled.The kind of calm that came before the most ferocious of storms.
“Assuming you acquired her records through less than legal means, I can make an anonymous tip to the ethics board.”
I waved him off.“I’ll deal with Schaffer myself.I was talking about Daphne.What’s your recommendation for her continuing care?”
“If my theory is correct, we’ll need to wean her off these drugs carefully.There could be side effects.I’ve briefed Krystal on the protocols.She’ll monitor Mrs.Summers closely and call me if anything changes.I’ll be sure to check in on her regularly, as well, but for now, having a nurse here will ensure she receives any care and treatment she may need.”
I nodded, forcing my jaw to unclench.“Thanks, Clark.I really appreciate this.”
He offered a faint smile.“It’s the least I can do after everything you did for me during basic training.Not sure I would have made it if it weren’t for you.”
Despite the weight in my chest, I let out a quiet breath of amusement.“You would have.You just needed someone to commiserate with.”
“I’m glad it was you, brother,” he replied as he stood.“I’ll come by in the morning to check on her.”
“Let me walk you out.”I rose to my feet.
“No need.”He waved me off, heading toward the door and pulling it open.“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
His steps echoed down the hallway as he retreated, and I sank back into my chair.
Every instinct in me screamed for violence.
For retaliation.
I’d had my suspicions Dr.Schaffer was shady, especially after finding large donations from Victor to one of his charities.To most, it would look generous — an extremely philanthropic man supporting the doctor who was helping his wife’s mother.
But I knew better.
Victor didn’t do anything without expecting something in return.
And now I knew exactly what he’d expected.
“Everything okay?”
I barked out a laugh as Blake walked into the study.“Not even close.”
“What did the doc say?”he asked, sitting in the chair opposite me.
I shook my head, unsure where to begin.
