Chapter 4 - What Drew Remembered
Two days later, the hospital room was quiet as the afternoon sun filtered through the blinds. CPS had granted temporary emergency guardianship to Peter, but Reena’s lawyer was already filing motions in family court to overturn it, claiming Peter was unfit and financially unstable.
Drew sat up in bed, color finally returning to his hollow cheeks. Lily was happily painting on a pad of paper on the floor near Peter’s chair.
Peter handed Drew a cup of warm chocolate milk. “How’s the leg feeling today, buddy?”
“It doesn't hurt as bad as the room,” Drew said softly, staring into the mug.
Peter pulled his chair closer. “Drew... the police need to know what happened down there. But only if you’re ready to tell me.”
Drew picked at the hospital blanket. “She locked us in when Daddy died. At first it was only for a little bit when we cried too much. But then she started calling it the ‘Reset Room.’”
Peter swallowed hard, pushing back the overwhelming rage in his chest. “The Reset Room?”
“She said we were bad, just like Daddy was bad,” Drew whispered, his voice trembling. “She said Daddy wouldn't drink his special juice, so he had to go away forever.”
Peter froze. Every wire in his brain snapped to high alert. “Drew... what special juice?”
“The white medicine she put in his coffee every morning,” Drew said innocently, looking up with large, clear eyes. “Daddy told her it tasted sweet and burnt, and it made his stomach hurt. The night before he died, he fell on the kitchen floor and couldn't breathe. Reena didn't call the doctor. She just watched him from the doorway.”
A sickening horror washed over Peter.
Aaron hadn't died of a random, sudden heart attack at thirty-five. He was being poisoned.
Peter stood up immediately and stepped out into the hallway to call Detective Miller. “Miller, you need to stop the custody hearing. We need an emergency court order to exhume my brother’s body.”
“Exhume Aaron?” Miller paused on the line. “Peter, that requires high-level judicial approval and probable cause.”
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“Drew saw her,” Peter said, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “Aaron didn't die naturally. She poisoned him for his estate, and now she’s trying to break the kids so she can collect their insurance money next. Exhume his body, Miller. Test for heavy metals or digitalis. I guarantee you’ll find what killed him.”
***
