Chapter 4: The Missing Messages
Graham didn’t need to be told twice.
By the time Adrian stepped into the study again, the therapist’s records were already pulled up—emails, timestamps, call logs.
“Dr. Harrow reached out nine times,” Graham said, scrolling. “Three calls. Six messages.”
“All unanswered?” Adrian asked.
“Not entirely.”
Adrian stopped behind him.
Graham tapped the screen.
“One response. Four days ago.”
Adrian read it.
Patient resting. No sessions needed this week. Will reassess.
No signature.
No tone.
No humanity.
“Sent from Celeste’s account,” Graham added.
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Call the doctor.”
Dr. Evelyn Harrow answered on the second ring.
“I’ve been trying to reach someone for a week,” she said immediately. “Who is this?”
“Adrian Vale.”
A pause.
Then a shift.
“I’m glad you called.”
“Why were your sessions canceled?”
“They weren’t canceled,” she said carefully. “They were blocked.”
Adrian glanced at Graham.
“Explain.”
“I was told Mr. Vale was too fatigued to continue therapy,” she said. “But that contradicts his recovery schedule.”
“And your professional opinion?”
Another pause.
“He was improving,” she said. “Cognitively, especially.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning he was starting to ask questions.”
Adrian didn’t blink.
“What kind of questions?”
“The kind that require honest answers.”
The line went quiet.
“Did he seem afraid?” Adrian asked.
Dr. Harrow hesitated.
May you like
“Yes.”
That was enough.
