The Silence That Speaks (Forensic Instincts 4)

Through the walls of her own office, Janet could hear the agitated conversation, which was punctuated repeatedly by Jacob screaming, “That fucking bitch!” She was seriously considering going out to his door and blatantly listening in when the door flew open.

Jacob stomped out and stalked straight into her office.

“Stop whatever you’re doing,” he demanded.

She dropped her paperwork without a sound.

“The chairman of the hospital board is calling an emergency board meeting. At eight-thirty tonight,” Jacob informed her. “I have instructions for you to follow—now!”

He barely waited for Janet to grab a pad and pen before continuing. “Notify every board member of the meeting and confirm his or her attendance. Anyone who’s traveling must tie in by video or audio conference. No exceptions.”

Janet finished scribbling, and then put down her pad and took her life in her hands. “What happened, Jacob? What’s going on?”

“What’s going on?” Jacob snapped. “Ronald Lexington’s fucking widow, Nancy, has reached new heights of insanity and revenge. She’s decided to sue us for medical malpractice wrongful death. And by ‘us’ I mean the hospital. She’s not only going after Conrad for Ronald’s death. She’s going after the whole cardiac and surgical team, plus the hospital itself, claiming incompetence and neglect resulting in her loss.”

“Medical malpractice...?” Janet paled. “Oh, my God, I never thought...Ronald loved this hospital so much. How can his wife...?” She broke off, seeing the apoplectic look on her boss’s face. “I’ll take care of it immediately.”

* * *

Ryan strode into the conference room, where Casey was working.

“Something is going on with the Lexington clan,” he announced. “Nancy went to see her lawyer today. And Ron and Felicia were at the apartment when she left. They were discussing how worried they were about their mother, about how she was in denial over who their father really was and how out of control she was in what she was planning.”

Casey put down her work and stared at Ryan. “Were those their exact words—‘out of control in what she was planning’?”

“Pretty much, yeah.” Ryan held up his device. “I’ll let you listen to the recording. They’ve been playing along with their mother’s repeated claim that Ronald was faithful, even though they knew he was anything but—and they’re convinced that she knew it, too. At one point, Felicia asked Ron if he thought their father had been sleeping with Madeline Westfield. He said he wasn’t sure, but judging from their mother’s hatred toward her and the extent to which she was carrying that hatred, it was a distinct possibility.”

“But why did she go to see her lawyer?” Casey gave a puzzled frown. “Do you think she’s making provisions for her kids in case anything happens to her?”

“Good thought. Especially if she’s going into battle to kill.”

“Marc is over at Madeline’s on guard duty now. Let’s listen to this recording, then call him. We might need him to pay a visit to the lawyer’s secretary tomorrow, disguised as whoever the hell you two decide, and charm her a bit to find out what that meeting was about.”

* * *

Marc and Madeline were having dinner in her apartment when her phone rang.

She glanced down at the caller ID. “It’s Crest Haven,” she said, the color draining from her face.

“Answer it,” Marc instructed. “And don’t jump to conclusions.”

She nodded and picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Madeline? It’s Conrad.”

She heard the panic in his voice. “Conrad. What is it? What’s the matter?”

“You’ll never believe this,” he replied. “Nancy Lexington is suing me and Manhattan Memorial for medical malpractice wrongful death—Ronald’s death. I’m in shock.”

Madeline recoiled, as well. “My God. How do you know this?”

“Because I was just served.”

“All right.” Madeline fought for and found some composure. “I don’t want you to worry about this. I’ll get Ed on the phone. He’ll know who to reach out for.”

“I appreciate that. But, Madeline, please don’t placate me. Keep me fully informed. I’m strong, and I don’t shrink away from my problems anymore. I’m fully aware of what kind of Pandora’s box this is going to open. Stop worrying about my mental health. I have to face this.”

Madeline nodded at the phone. “I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve spoken to Ed.”