The File on the Gala Screen
Chapter 02 - The File on the Gala Screen
Marcus lunged toward the control tablet.
Helena’s father, Thomas Beaumont, reached it first.
At seventy, Thomas still carried the authority of the man who built Beaumont Medical Systems from a single prosthetics workshop. He stared at the words on the screen as though they belonged to another language.
“Mobility suppression?” he said.
Marcus regained his composure.
“It is a research term. Helena’s muscles experience involuntary spasms. The patch protects her from injury.”
The physical therapist beside Helena shook her head.
“I have never seen this device in her treatment plan.”
Marcus turned on her.
“You do not have access to the full neurological file.”
Eli held the nursing badge against his chest.
“My mother did.”
Security officers surrounded him, but Helena raised one hand.
“No one touches the child.”
The gala’s medical network had downloaded more than one file from the patch.
Dosage logs appeared.
Nightly transmissions.
Changes entered under Helena’s name while she slept.
The device had delivered a low-dose neuromuscular suppressant for thirty-six months.
Helena remembered the beginning.
After the accident, she could move two toes. Rachel Reed documented the response and predicted partial recovery.
Three weeks later, Marcus replaced Rachel’s rehabilitation team.
The movement disappeared.
He told Helena swelling had damaged the remaining nerve pathways.
She believed him because he was her husband, neurologist, and the director of the institute treating her.
District Attorney Lena Ortiz happened to be attending the gala as a donor. She stepped onto the stage and asked the hotel to preserve all medical-network logs.
Marcus objected.
“This is protected health information.”
“It is also possible evidence of unauthorized treatment.”
Helena looked down at the silver patch.
“When did I consent to medication through this device?”
Marcus said they would discuss it privately.
“That was not my question.”
Thomas ordered every foundation vote suspended.
The gala had been organized to approve a merger between Beaumont Mobility Trust and Vale Recovery Systems. Helena’s signature would transfer control of rehabilitation patents, patient data, and six billion dollars in charitable assets.
Because she was classified as permanently disabled, Marcus held medical proxy authority over several decisions.
The merger documents were scheduled to be signed before midnight.
Eli spoke quietly.
“My mom said tonight was the last night they could hide what the patch was for.”
Helena looked at him.
“Where is your mother?”
Eli’s face changed.
“They told me she died.”
May you like
Then he held out the badge.
“But this started blinking yesterday.”
