Chapter 2 - The Glass on the Silver Tray
Alexander ordered no one to touch the glass.
The palace physician was called from the east wing.
Dr. Martin Vale arrived carrying a black medical bag.
Vanessa seemed relieved when she saw him.
That relief made Emma uneasy.
Dr. Vale checked Eleanor’s pulse.
“She is agitated.”
“She needs a sedative.”
Alexander blocked his hand before he could open the bag.
“What is already in her system?”
The physician looked offended.
“Her prescribed medication.”
“Name it.”
Dr. Vale listed three drugs.
Emma had worked around Eleanor for nine months.
Only one of those names was familiar.
Eleanor normally took a mild blood-pressure pill and a vitamin supplement.
Vanessa had recently insisted a new doctor manage everything.
Alexander looked toward Emma.
“Does that match what my mother usually takes?”
“No, sir.”
Vanessa laughed sharply.
“The maid is not qualified to discuss medicine.”
Emma answered before fear could stop her.
“I organize Mrs. Sterling’s breakfast tray.”
“I see the labels.”
Dr. Vale closed his bag.
“Household staff should not interfere with clinical decisions.”
Alexander held out his hand.
“Give me the prescription list.”
“I cannot release private records.”
“She is my mother.”
“She is also an adult patient.”
Eleanor reached weakly toward Alexander.
“He makes me sleep.”
Every face in the room turned toward Dr. Vale.
The physician’s expression did not change.
“Mrs. Sterling has displayed confusion since her stroke.”
“I never had a stroke,” Eleanor said.
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Alexander, this is exactly what I warned you about.”
“Your mother is declining.”
“She wanders.”
“She accuses people.”
“She tried to leave the palace tonight wearing slippers.”
Eleanor’s hands gripped the wheelchair.
“I tried to reach the telephone.”
Vanessa smiled gently.
The expression frightened Emma more than the raised hand.
“You see?”
“She does not remember that she has a phone upstairs.”
Emma knew the phone had been removed three weeks earlier.
Vanessa claimed the battery was dangerous near Eleanor’s oxygen equipment.
Alexander looked toward the security chief.
“Mr. Hale.”
“Bring my mother’s medical files.”
The security chief hesitated.
“Ms. Croft instructed us that those records were restricted.”
Alexander’s voice lowered.
“Who owns this palace?”
“You do, sir.”
“Then bring them.”
Hale left.
Vanessa folded her arms.
“You are humiliating me in front of everyone.”
Alexander stood.
“You attempted to strike an eighty-one-year-old woman.”
“You are fortunate humiliation is the first consequence.”
The palace physician tried to leave.
Two security officers blocked him.
Alexander pointed toward the silver tray.
“That glass will be tested.”
Dr. Vale’s face tightened.
“There is no legal basis for this spectacle.”
A woman near the staircase stepped forward.
She wore a dark green evening gown and carried a small badge.
“My name is Detective Lena Ortiz.”
“I am attending as a guest of the museum board.”
“I watched Ms. Croft raise her hand.”
“I also heard Mrs. Sterling say medication was forced into her mouth.”
Vanessa stared at her.
“You are off duty.”
“I am still a sworn officer.”
Detective Ortiz looked toward Alexander.
“Call emergency services.”
“Preserve the glass.”
“Do not let anyone access the private kitchen.”
Sirens reached the palace twelve minutes later.
Paramedics examined Eleanor in the library.
Blood tests revealed a heavy sedative and a medication that could dangerously lower her heart rate.
Neither had been prescribed by her regular cardiologist.
Dr. Vale claimed the combination was intentional.
He could not produce a signed treatment plan.
The medical files finally arrived.
The first page was an emergency guardianship petition.
Vanessa Croft was listed as Eleanor’s proposed guardian.
May you like
Alexander read the date.
The petition had been prepared six months before Eleanor’s supposed stroke.
