Chapter 3 - The Secret PactThe heavy steel door clicked open, and Noah walked in. He wasn't wearing his red hoodie anymore; instead, he wore a plain black t-shirt that highlighted the fresh bruises and cuts on his arms from the splintered wood. He didn't look at Detective Miller. His dark, hollow eyes locked directly onto Daniel.
Noah pulled out the metal chair opposite Daniel and sat down slowly, leaning his elbows on the table.
"You look terrible, Daniel," Noah said softly, a dark edge to his tone. "Guilt doesn't suit a man of science."
"Save it, Noah," Daniel hissed, leaning forward. "How did you know? The hospital confirmed her death. The medical board verified it. If you knew she wasn't dead, why didn't you stop them from putting her in that room? Why wait until the middle of the service?"
Noah let out a bitter, humorless laugh that echoed off the concrete walls. "You think I wanted to wait? You think I enjoyed watching them lower my sister into a six-foot hole?" Noah slammed his fist onto the table, making the metal coffee mug jump. "I tried to tell you for three days! I told the nurses, I told the directors, I even begged you in the hallway. But you all looked at me like I was a hysterical, grieving junkie!"
Detective Miller cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. "Mr. Miller, are you accusing the medical staff of negligence, or something worse?"
Noah turned his gaze slowly toward the detective, a terrifying calm washing over his features. "I'm accusing them of murder. Or at least, being accomplices to it."
Daniel recoiled. "That's insane. What motive could anyone possibly have to bury a healthy woman?"
Noah reached slowly into his back pocket, pulling out a folded, slightly crumpled piece of heavy parchment paper. He slid it across the table. Daniel picked it up with trembling fingers and unfolded it.
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It was a holographic copy of Claire’s last will and testament, signed and notarized just forty-eight hours before her alleged death. The sole beneficiary of her multi-million dollar estate—including the sprawling pharmaceutical empire left by their late father—wasn't Noah.
It was Daniel Sterling.
