Alex Thompson stood by the freshly dug grave of his wife Olivia, clutching a black umbrella in his hands, even though it wasn’t raining yet. Just holding something made it easier than letting his arms hang limply at his sides. Around him crowded Olivia’s relatives: her sister Mary with her husband David, cousins, aunts, distant kin he only saw at funerals and weddings.
They all said the right words of condolence, but Alex felt something false in their voices, something rehearsed, like they were acting in a bad play. «Alex, hang in there!» Mary whispered, hugging his shoulder. Her voice trembled with tears, but Alex noticed her eyes were dry.
Olivia was such a good person, such a bright soul. The Lord took her too soon. But she’s in heaven now, watching over us.
Alex nodded mechanically, not listening to these banal comforts. It still hadn’t sunk in. Just a week ago, Olivia was heading to her grandfather Nicholas’s funeral in Riverton.
Grandpa died suddenly of a heart attack at 82. Olivia was the only granddaughter who truly loved the old man and visited him regularly in recent years. The other relatives only showed up for major holidays, if at all, finding him grumpy and boring.
«I’ll go alone,» she said then, kissing her husband goodbye. Alex remembered every detail of that morning: how she stood at the mirror in the hallway, adjusting her black blouse, wiping her reddened eyes with a tissue. «You know how much Grandpa loved me.
I want to see him off properly, as he deserves. I’ll sit by the coffin, talk to the neighbors, see if anyone needs help. Maybe we should go together?» Alex suggested then.
«It’s a long drive, you’re upset. No, honey. You have that important presentation at the office tomorrow, don’t mess it up for me.
I’ll manage. Grandpa always said I was the strongest of all his granddaughters.» Those were her last words.
On the way back late Monday evening, the accident happened. According to police, Olivia lost control on the wet road after rain; the car veered off the highway, flipped, and caught fire. By the time emergency services arrived, it was too late.
Alex remembered that call at half-past six Tuesday morning. The officer’s voice was tired and official, but with genuine sympathy. «Mr. Thompson? You need to come to Riverton right away.
Your wife was in a serious car accident. Is she? Is she alive?» Alex whispered, already knowing from the tone. «I’m sorry, no.
Death occurred at the scene. My deepest condolences.» The rest was a nightmare fog.
Sleepless night, drive to Riverton at dawn, hospital morgue with its choking smell of formalin and death. The identification was a real horror; Olivia’s face was so disfigured by fire and glass shards that it was unbearable to look. Mary sobbed nearby; David held her hand and whispered something in her ear, trying to comfort her and himself.
«Alex, don’t torture yourself,» Mary begged when the pathologist offered him to enter the morgue for final identification. «Remember her beautiful, as she was in life. Don’t look at what’s left.
That’s not her, just a mangled shell.» But the procedure was mandatory. Alex forced himself into the cold room and looked at what lay under the white sheet.
Charred hair, mutilated face, but the build, her wedding ring, it all matched. Documents, ID, and driver’s license were found in her purse, which miraculously survived in the trunk. «It’s her,» he said with difficulty, turning away from the table.
«It’s my wife.» Olivia’s relatives handled the rest of the formalities; they insisted on a closed casket. They organized the transport of the body back to the city.
They arranged the wake and chose the cemetery plot. «You see, Alex,» David explained when they discussed funeral details at a roadside cafe, «after such a terrible accident, it’s better for people to remember Olivia alive and beautiful. Otherwise, gossip might start; you know how folks love discussing tragedies like this.
They’ll say she wasn’t buckled up, or she’d been drinking, or something like that.» Alex agreed. He didn’t care.
Olivia was gone—that’s what mattered. Everything else seemed trivial, unworthy of attention. What difference did flowers or the number of cars in the procession make?
The main thing had happened: his life split into before and after. Now, standing by the grave on this sunny October day, he looked at the wreaths and flowers, at the faces of people giving speeches about how wonderful Olivia was, and felt nothing. Emptiness.
As if Olivia had taken his soul with her, leaving only an empty shell that mechanically nodded to condolences and thanked for kind words. «Rest in peace, dear sister,» Mary sniffled, throwing a handful of dirt on the coffin lid. «Forgive us all for not protecting you.
Forgive us for not holding you back that day.» Interesting phrase: «forgive us all.» Forgive for what? But Alex didn’t dwell on the words.
Grief makes people strange, makes them say nonsense, seek guilt where there is none. The ceremony dragged on. The minister read prayers; his voice droned monotonously in the cemetery silence…
Relatives took turns with farewell words; each felt obliged to say something about the deceased. Alex listened to their stories about Olivia and wondered if they were talking about his wife. This ideal woman from their speeches barely resembled the living Olivia with her little flaws, quirks, and habits.
Alex felt the ground slip away. Not metaphorically—literally. His legs buckled; black spots swam before his eyes; his ears rang.
Heat, stress, sleepless nights were taking their toll. «I need to step away,» he whispered to Mary as another relative began a long speech about how Olivia helped him in tough times. «Of course, dear, of course,» she nodded, looking understandingly at his pale face.
«Go! We’ll finish everything here, don’t worry!» Alex slowly walked down the path to the cemetery exit. Behind him, voices still sounded, but he didn’t turn back. The farewell was done.
Olivia was gone. Now he had to figure out how to live on, though Alex had no idea how. What was the point of getting up in the mornings? What was work for, plans, dreams of the future? All his plans were tied to Olivia.
At the cemetery gates, on an old wooden bench, sat a girl about ten or eleven. Thin, in a worn coat too big and long for her, with serious dark eyes that seemed too adult for her face. Before her on the ground was a tin can from canned goods with some change—a few coins.
«Uncle, spare some for bread,» she asked quietly as Alex passed her. Her voice was clear but tired. He mechanically reached into his jacket pocket.
There were two hundred-dollar bills and some change. «But what difference?» «Here,» he said, dropping the bills into the can. The girl gasped at the amount.
«Uncle, that’s way too much. Are you sure? Maybe you made a mistake?» «Sure,» Alex replied wearily and headed to his car parked near the cemetery. «Uncle,» the girl called.
He turned. She stood holding the can, looking at him with a strange, probing gaze. There was something in her eyes that made him stop.
«Uncle, your wife is alive,» she said quietly but clearly. «But it won’t make things better for you. Come with me.» Alex froze.
The world stopped. Even the birds ceased singing. Sounds from the cemetery—relatives’ voices, crying, shovel scrapes—all silenced, like someone turned off the sound.
«What did you say?» he croaked, feeling his heart pound wildly. «What I said,» the girl replied, stepping closer. «Don’t stand like a post.
Time’s short. Come with me.» She grabbed the can and quickly walked away from the cemetery on a narrow path leading into the woods. Alex, as if enchanted, followed…
One thought hammered in his head—»Alive!» «Alive!» «But how is that possible?» «Maybe he’s really going mad from grief?» «Maybe a hallucination?» The girl walked fast, confidently, clearly knowing the way. Her feet in worn sneakers nimbly stepped over pits and tree roots. Alex barely kept up, still not believing what he’d heard.
«Alive?» «How alive?» «He saw the mutilated body in the morgue himself, identified by the ring and documents, was at the funeral, saw the coffin lowered into the grave with his own eyes. Wait!» he called as they went deeper into the woods. «Hold on, explain what you meant.»
The girl turned, not slowing. «I’ll explain when we get there. It’s not safe to talk here.
Too many prying ears nearby.» «What ears?» Alex looked around. The woods were empty, different ones.
Some people really don’t want the truth to come out. And at the cemetery, there’s always someone—workers, visitors, random passersby. They turned off the main path onto a barely visible trail overgrown with grass.
Alex suddenly realized he didn’t know where he was going, and it worried him. «Listen, what’s your name?» he asked, hoping to ease the tension. «Katie,» the girl replied shortly.
«Katie Johnson.» «Katie, I don’t understand what’s happening.» «You’re just… He faltered, not knowing how to delicately name her occupation.
«A beggar?» the girl smirked. «Yeah, sometimes I have to ask for money.» «But I’m not an ordinary beggar, Uncle Alex.
I see and hear a lot.» «How do you know my name?» «Heard it at the cemetery—Alex, from people talking to you. And I’ve been watching your wife for three days.»
«Watching? How? Why?» Katie stopped and turned to him. Her eyes held not childish seriousness, some adult weariness. «Uncle Alex, I know way more than a girl my age should.
My mom, Anna Johnson, works as a janitor at Hospital Number Three. She’s been cleaning there for five years, knows all the nooks. And I sometimes help her after school, take out trash, mop corridors.»
«Which hospital?» «The one beyond these woods. City Hospital Number Three. Big ICU where coma patients and serious trauma cases lie.
And among them is one woman. She came in Monday, and I saw her.» Alex’s heart beat faster.
«What woman? Tell me more.» «Beautiful, about thirty. Exactly like the photo at the grave.
Blond hair to shoulders. In room seven ICU for four days now. And yesterday I overheard two nurses talking.
They said this patient is under fake documents. What exactly did they say? One told the other, that’s not Elena Peterson in the chart from room seven. Doctor Ortiz brought her.
Said relatives don’t want publicity, family issues. And the other replied, yeah, issues alright. Heard it’s about some inheritance.»
Alex felt the ground slip again, but for a different reason. Ortiz—that’s Paul Ortiz, Olivia’s cousin. Could it be? Is his wife alive? «You sure what you heard?» «Yeah, sure.
I have good hearing, and I don’t make stuff up. And when I saw the photo at the cemetery today, I knew it’s the same woman. Only in the photo she’s smiling, and in the hospital she’s unconscious.»
They came out onto the road. Ahead loomed the gray hospital building, a typical 1970s structure, long, squat, with many windows. Alex stopped, trying to process it.
«Katie, if you’re telling the truth, that means.» «That means they tricked you,» the girl finished. «They didn’t bury your wife.
Someone else is in that coffin. And she’s in a hospital room under a fake name, and relatives pretend she’s dead.» «But why? Why do they need this?» Katie shrugged…
«Don’t know exactly. But think about it. When do people benefit from someone being dead? Usually when it’s about money.
Or something like that.» Alex remembered the recent death of Grandpa Nicholas and that Olivia was his favorite granddaughter. Remembered Mary’s words at the cemetery: «Forgive us all.»
Remembered how relatives quickly took over all funeral arrangements, insisted on a closed casket. «Grandpa Nicholas,» he whispered. «Olivia said he made a will leaving everything to her as sole heir.
And if she dies, it goes to the other relatives. That’s what Grandpa decided.» «See, you figured it out yourself,» Katie nodded.
«Now come on. We need to see this woman so you can be sure with your own eyes.» «But how do we get into ICU? They don’t let strangers in.»
«They don’t let unknown adults. But they know me—janitor’s daughter, sometimes helps with cleaning. I’ll say I brought a friend to Mom.
Main thing, act natural and don’t draw attention.» The hospital hit them with smells of bleach and meds, mixed with hospital food aroma. In the lobby, people milled: some waiting for appointments, some pacing nervously, some quietly grieving bad news.
Typical scene for any city hospital on a weekday. Katie confidently passed the front desk, waving to the elderly security guard. «Uncle Pete, going to Mom.
Anna Johnson, third floor, janitor.» The guard nodded, not lifting his head from the newspaper. Clearly, Katie’s presence was so routine it surprised no one.
«Mom works on the third floor,» Katie explained, leading Alex to the stairs. «ICU in the east wing. But you can’t just walk in, of course.
First, talk to Mom.» On the third floor, smells were stronger—bleach and meds plus that unmistakable hospital odor. They met a short woman about fifty in a blue work smock, pushing a cart with cleaning supplies.
Her face was tired, but kind eyes lit up seeing her daughter. «Katie, why so early today?» she wondered. «Usually after school, and it’s only three p.m.
And who’s with you? Mom, this is Uncle Alex.» «He needs help,» the girl said seriously. The woman, obviously Anna Johnson, looked at Alex attentively.
Her gaze was kind but wary. Maternal instinct told her something was off. «Anna, hello, I’m Alex,» he said, trying to sound calm.
«Your daughter says there’s a woman in ICU under fake documents. There’s reason to believe it’s.» «My wife…» «Oh, what are you saying, Katie!» Anna threw up her hands.
«What inventions are getting into your head? Mom, it’s not inventions,» Katie insisted. «I heard the nurses myself about the woman in room seven. And I saw her with my own eyes—exactly like the photo from the cemetery.»
Anna paled and nervously glanced around. «Katie! We agreed you wouldn’t hang around cemeteries anymore, and you’d keep quiet about what you overheard by accident.» «Mom, but what if it’s really Uncle Alex’s wife?» «If they put her there under a fake name on purpose so everyone thinks she’s dead.»
Alex stepped closer. «Anna, I know it sounds unbelievable. But my wife died in an accident exactly on Monday.
If there’s even the slightest chance she’s alive. Please, help me.» «How’s the patient listed in documents?» Anna hesitated, then sighed heavily.
«Elena Peterson, 30 years old. Admitted Monday with severe traumatic brain injury after car crash. Condition very critical, coma.
Documents handled by Doctor Ortiz, said distant relative, but family asks no disclosure.» «Ortiz.» Alex repeated, feeling blood freeze.
«Paul Ortiz?» «Yes, that’s his name. And you know him?» «Olivia’s cousin. He was at her funeral.»
Alex remembered the tall, balding man with gold teeth who offered condolences. «Tall, balding, gold crowns in mouth, that’s him.» «Works as a therapist, it’s him,» Alex whispered.
«Anna, please, let me see this woman.» «I won’t tell anyone, won’t get you in trouble.» Anna looked at Katie, then Alex.
Her eyes wrestled compassion and fear for her job. «You understand, if this comes out, I’ll be fired immediately.» «I need the job badly, raising daughter alone, husband long gone.
No education, I give my word, no one will know you helped,» Alex swore. Just one look. «If it’s not her, I’ll leave and forget everything.
And if it is, I’ll find another way to help her without compromising you.» Anna hesitated more, studying Alex’s sincere face. «Okay,» she said quietly.
But very quick and careful. Now it’s lunch time, most doctors in the cafeteria. In ICU only the on-duty nurse, but she’s in the office filling reports…
The ICU was in the characteristic dimness of medical facilities. Blinds muted daylight, creating focused quiet. Machines beeped steadily monitoring vitals, oxygen tanks hissed softly, ventilation hummed monotonously.
«Room seven at the far end of the hall,» Anna whispered, carefully opening the department door. «Go quietly, try not to make noise.» «And if you see staff, leave immediately.
Say you mixed up doors.» Alex walked the hall, heart pounding wildly. Each step was hard, legs like lead.
What if it’s really Olivia? How could he survive such a discovery? And what next? How to prove relatives staged her death? In room seven by the window stood a hospital bed surrounded by complex medical gear. Ventilator, heart monitor, several IVs, sensors tracking patient status. And amid all this technical splendor lay Olivia.
Alex stopped dead, not believing his eyes. His wife lay on the hospital bed, alive, breathing. Face pale and still, but completely intact—no burns, no mutilated features.
Hair combed, someone clearly cared for her. On her left shoulder he made out the familiar mole, on her wrist the faint butterfly tattoo. «Olivia,» he whispered, reaching out but not daring to touch, «don’t touch,» warned approaching Anna.
Any touch and the equipment might beep, and the nurse would notice changes on the monitors. Alex stood, unable to look away. His wife was alive.
She’d been here five days while he buried some other woman, grieved, planned to live without her. She’d been here all this time, a few miles from home, helpless and alone. «Her condition. What do doctors and nurses say?» he asked hoarsely.
«Is there a chance of recovery? From what I heard from nurses, condition stable but serious,» Anna replied quietly, checking the chart at the bed’s foot. «And what’s in the medical history?» «What admission circumstances?» Anna studied the entries carefully. «Motor vehicle accident in Riverton area late Monday evening…
Vehicle left the road and flipped, victim extracted by emergency services unconscious. Delivered in critical condition by ambulance around midnight. And who exactly brought her?» «Per records, county ambulance crew accompanied by relative doctor.
But very strange. What’s strange exactly? Here only brief note that relatives request full confidentiality for family reasons. No more details like other patients.»
Alex clenched his fists. The picture grew clearer and more horrifying. Olivia really crashed but didn’t die.
Relatives, learning the will’s content from Grandpa Nicholas, decided to stage her death. They arranged the switch, brought her here under fake docs, and in the morgue showed him some other dead woman’s body. «Scoundrels,» he whispered.
Own people worse than enemies. «Uncle Alex,» Katie called quietly from the door, watching the hall. «What will you do now? How to prove it’s your wife?» Great question.
What to do? How to prove Olivia’s identity? How to get her out legally? And mainly, how to protect from those who already tried to kill her once. «Don’t know yet, honestly,» he replied. Need to think hard, consult a lawyer.
Suddenly footsteps approached in the hall. Two people, by the sound, talking seriously. «Quickly out of here.»
Anna panicked. «Doctors returning from lunch.» They quietly slipped from the room and went to the service stairs.
Anna led them to the first floor, constantly looking back and nervous. «Anna,» Alex said at the exit, «can I come tomorrow to make sure it’s not a hallucination?» «Better not.
If you show up often, someone will notice and ask questions.» «Then how to know her condition? Any improvement?» Anna thought. «Come day after tomorrow evening around eight.
I’ll be mopping that wing after day shift ends. If anything changes, I’ll tell.» Alex nodded and headed out. That evening Alex sat in his empty apartment trying to order his thoughts. Olivia alive—that’s the main and most important discovery.
But she’s in coma, under fake docs, and relatives think her dead. What next? Go to police with a statement? But how to prove the woman in hospital is his wife? Docs forged, doctors either bribed or misled. And relatives can easily say he’s gone mad from grief and sees his dead wife everywhere.
Need ironclad proof. Irrefutable, scientifically based proof. And need someone to help gather it professionally and legally.
Alex pulled out his phone and dialed his old army buddy, private investigator Brian Peterson. They served together in the airborne 20 years ago. Then Brian went to police, rose to lieutenant colonel, and after retirement opened a private detective agency.
Honest, principled man with spotless reputation. «Brian? Alex Thompson.» «Alex.
How’s it going, brother? Heard about your terrible loss from mutual friends. Deepest sympathies, hang in there.» «Brian, I need help urgently.
Professional help. And possibly very fast.» «Listening carefully.
What’s up?» Alex detailed the incredible story: accident, morgue ID, funeral, meeting Katie, hospital. Brian listened silently, occasionally asking for details and noting in a pad. «Alex, you realize this whole story sounds like the ravings of a mentally ill person.»
He said when Alex finished. «I do. But I saw her, Brian.
It was Olivia, my wife. I’m a hundred percent sure.» «Suppose you’re right.
Then we’re dealing with a very serious and well-organized crime. Fraud on a large scale, forgery of official documents, attempted murder.» «What exactly do you want from me?» «Help gather irrefutable proof.
Find out who was in the morgue when they showed me the body. Learn where this unknown woman came from, passed off as Olivia. Check all hospitalization docs.
Find accident witnesses in Riverton area.» «You understand this will cost a lot? And take quite some time?» «I’ll find the money, sell the car, borrow from friends.» «And we may have no time at all.
If relatives realize their plan’s exposed,» «I understand the seriousness. And one more thing—this is extremely dangerous. If your suspicions are true, we’re up against people ready to kill for money.
I get that perfectly, Brian. But there’s no other way.» Brian was silent long, thinking and weighing pros and cons.
«Alright, old man. Let’s try to sort this out. But we’ll act extremely carefully and methodically…
And not a word to anyone until we have enough evidence for a criminal case.» «Fully agree.» «Meet tomorrow morning at my office at 9 a.m.
Bring absolutely all documents—marriage certificate, Olivia’s medical records, her photos, death certificate.» «And prepare money for initial expenses, at least 25 thousand dollars.» After talking to Brian, Alex felt some relief.
Now he wasn’t alone in this fight for justice. But anxiety lingered. If relatives were ready to stage death for inheritance, what else could they do? And what if they already guessed their plan might be exposed? What then for defenseless Olivia? Alex couldn’t eat or sleep.
He paced the apartment, looked at wife’s photos, tried to understand how he missed obvious oddities before. There were enough suspicious moments; he was just too shocked by grief to notice and analyze. For example, why did Mary so quickly and decisively take over all funeral arrangements? Usually she was pretty irresponsible and not too caring a sister, could go months without calling Olivia…
And why did relatives insist so persistently on burial at this cemetery, not where Olivia’s parents rested? And another oddity: why no one from relatives suggested right after funeral to review Grandpa Nicholas’s will content. Usually inheritance matters are settled as soon as possible, especially with serious sums. But here everyone tactfully stayed silent, as if it was indecent.
The more Alex analyzed what happened, the more questions arose. And all pointed to one horrifying conclusion—his wife was betrayed by the closest people. Those she trusted all her life, loved and considered family.
Morning Alex arrived at Brian Peterson’s private detective agency «Wheel» office. Agency in an old brick building in the historic city center, second floor. Modest office of three rooms: reception, work cabinet, conference.
But Brian worked honestly and professionally, earning excellent reputation among colleagues and clients. «Tell it all again from the start,» Brian said, turning on a digital recorder and opening a thick notebook. «And don’t skip any details, even the most insignificant at first glance.
In detective work, key clues often hide in trifles.» Alex retold the whole story in detail, starting from Olivia’s trip to Grandpa Nicholas’s funeral in Riverton. He tried to recall every detail: what relatives said, how they behaved, what questions they asked, if anything suspicious in their conduct.
Brian listened attentively, made detailed notes, sometimes asked clarifying questions. «So, accident Monday late evening,» he summarized when Alex finished. «Body shown Tuesday morning, funeral already Thursday.
Very fast for such a major event, especially with interstate transport.» «Mary explained it by hot weather, can’t delay burial. And relatives came from different cities, can’t hold them long.
Understand?» «And about Grandpa Nicholas’s will? Anyone seen it or knows details?» «So far no one openly said need to read it. Mary said not the time for inheritance talk, wait for the wake.» «Very noble position.
Alex, I need quality photos of Olivia. Large portraits where face features clear. And her full medical records if you have.
Medical records I have.» Alex pulled out a folder with docs. «Photos?» He pulled out his phone.
«Here, latest shots—took two months ago at friends’ cabin.» Brian studied photos on smartphone screen carefully. «Very beautiful woman.
Any special marks? Moles, scars, tattoos, something for error-free ID.» «Mole on left shoulder, quite noticeable. Scar on right knee from childhood injury—fell off bike, stitched at ER.
And small tattoo on left wrist—butterfly, done in college years.» «Excellent. These marks enough for precise ID.
Now our action plan.» «I head to city morgue, check who and when brought in, who handled doc formatting.» «You meanwhile gather max detailed info on all Olivia’s relatives: where work, incomes, debts, loans, serious financial problems.»
«And what about the hospital where Olivia lies?» «Absolutely nothing for now. Too risky to show up extra. If exposed prematurely, they might rush transfer your wife to another facility.
Or take more radical measures.» Alex knew Brian was absolutely right. Had to act maximally cautious and thought out.
«One more important condition,» Brian added. «You must behave completely naturally. You’re a grief-stricken widower slowly trying to return to normal life.
No suspicious questions to relatives, no oddities in behavior. Got it?» «Got it and remembered.» «And just in case, try not to stay home alone long, especially evenings.
If my suspicions true, they might try to eliminate you too. After all, you may have legal rights to part of inheritance as Olivia’s spouse. You haven’t seen the will yourself, maybe you’re in it too.»
«I’ll be extremely careful,» Alex promised. «And memorize my cell number. If anything happens, call immediately, any time day or night.
Don’t hesitate.» Brian Peterson was a very experienced detective with 20-year law enforcement career. Over years he built many useful connections now actively helping his private practice.
At city morgue he was well known and trusted; he’d helped multiple times in complex cases identifying deceased. «Brian Peterson.» Genuinely glad was pathologist Elijah Frederick, seeing the detective in his small office.
«What brings you? What mysterious case?» «Investigating one very tricky case, Elijah. Need detailed info on woman brought last week. Thompson Olivia, 32, died in car crash.»
«Ah, remember that case well. Really strange and unusual story. Usually after such serious crashes with fire, deceased look completely different.
But this woman looked like she peacefully fell asleep.» «Explain more, what you mean.» «Well, you know, they called ahead saying bringing victim of terrible accident.
And when I looked at the body, surprised—face almost intact, just very pale and slightly sooty. No burns even.» «And what did you think, asked those who brought the body.»
«They hemmed, said drove from far, maybe mixed up with another accident description or exaggerated damage severity.» «And who exactly brought the body to morgue?» «Two middle-aged men. Introduced as relatives of deceased.
Docs seemed in order, official death cert with hospital stamp.» «Very rushed, said need to format everything fast and organize funeral.» «Relatives brought body personally.
Not through official morgue of county hospital and not special vehicle.» «Through regular minivan.» «Explained by huge queue at county morgue for formatting, and they need urgently.
Even paid extra significant sum for expedited.» Brian frowned. This violated all procedures and was highly suspicious.
Bodies from other states usually transported only through official channels with many formalities. «Elijah, can study docs on this woman carefully.» «Strictly speaking, confidential info, access limited.
But for you, Brian, exception.» Elijah Frederick opened metal safe and pulled thick folder. «Here’s all documentation. Death cert from central hospital in Riverton.
Chief doctor’s signature, official stamp, looks legal externally.» Brian examined all docs thoroughly. Formally formatted correctly, but content too many general phrases and not enough specific medical details…
«And who conducted identification procedure?» «Recorded in log as deceased’s spouse, per docs. But I wasn’t on identification. I wasn’t working that day.»
«Understand?» «And what happened to body after formatting?» «Buried three days later at North Cemetery.» Brian took several photos of docs on his phone for further analysis. «Elijah, and in same period, Monday-Tuesday, anyone else brought? Women about same age.»
Pathologist carefully flipped registration log. «Yes, another young woman, about thirty. Unknown, no docs.
Found her in abandoned basement on city outskirts. Cause of death—acute heart failure on chronic alcoholism background.» «When exactly discovered?» «Sunday late evening by patrol officer during rounds.
And brought to us Monday morning.» Brian felt pieces of sinister puzzle starting to fit. Sunday—Olivia’s departure day to Riverton…
Monday—accident day and day of finding suitable replacement. Too many coincidences. «Elijah, can see this unknown woman somehow? Or at least photos left?» «Unfortunately, buried her in common grave for unidentified.
Procedure Tuesday morning, per law.» Tuesday morning—exactly when Alex was shown his supposedly dead wife’s body in same morgue. «Thanks, Elijah.
You helped my investigation a lot.» «No problem, Brian. Just be careful.
If really something criminal involved, serious people participating. Forging official medical docs—top-level fraud.» «Understand.
Will be extremely careful.» «And remembered one more detail. Those two who brought body—one introduced as doctor.
Doctor Ortiz, I think. Said personally knew deceased, works in medical field.» «Ortiz? You sure of name?» «Absolutely.»
Brian noted this key info. The circle was closing, but all threads led to same people. While Brian worked at morgue, Alex thoroughly gathered info on Olivia’s relatives.
He never before delved into their personal lives, but now every detail could be critical for understanding crime motives. Mary Victoria Kuznetsov, 45, worked as chief accountant at mid-size construction firm «BuildInvest.» Married to David Kuznetsov, who dealt in wholesale auto parts.
No own business, worked as sales manager at large company. Couple never had kids; Mary couldn’t after failed surgery in youth, always painful topic for her. Lived in two-bedroom in old panel building, car used Toyota Camry 2016.
But digging deeper, Alex found interesting details. David took large loan year ago for business development that never launched.
Monthly payments ate big chunk of family budget. Mary lately moonlighted remotely evenings and weekends. Paul Isaac Ortiz, 52, therapist top category.
After divorce 4 years ago lived alone, rented one-bedroom in bedroom community. Officially worked two places: city clinic and private medical center «Health Plus,» but incomes modest. From mutual acquaintances, Ortiz had serious financial troubles.
Loan debts from marriage, alimony to ex-wife, rent—all ate almost whole salary. Last months even moonlighted private house calls—Vladimir and Gregory Kuznetsov, Olivia’s cousins on father’s side. Both about 40, both had law troubles in youth: petty thefts, fights, hooliganism.
Vladimir even served 8 months for assault in drunken brawl. Vladimir worked taxi driver at small private company, unstable low income. Gregory loader at grocery warehouse, salary also small.
Both lived in shared apartments, no families, led pretty marginal lives. Alex noted all info in notebook, trying to understand psychology of each potential criminal. All relatives lived modestly, many had serious financial difficulties.
Large inheritance from Grandpa Nicholas could radically change their lives, solve all money problems forever. But for money were they ready for such monstrous crime? Staging death of close person requires not just greed, but total lack of conscience. Around eight evening Mary called him.
Her voice habitually caring, but now Alex caught false notes. «Alex, how are things? How’s your mood? Not too hard alone?» «Fine, Mary. Trying to hold on as I can.»
«Good for you, dear. Olivia wouldn’t want you suffering. Life goes on.
Listen, maybe come over weekends? David will grill steaks, we’ll sit, talk heart to heart.» «Thanks for caring, but not ready for company yet. Better stay home.»
«I understand, grief is serious trial. But seclusion no solution either. By the way, you have all Olivia’s personal docs? Certificates, bank cards?» Alex alerted.
Second time she asks about docs. And why now? «Yes, of course. Why do you need them?» «Well, need to handle inheritance matters from Grandpa Nicholas urgently.
Time passed enough, and bureaucratic procedures very long.» «Grandpa left will where Olivia main heir.» «And don’t I have right to share in this inheritance as spouse?» Mary paused several seconds.
And in that pause Alex caught something important. «Of course you do, dear. But such complex legal nuances, such bureaucratic hassle.
You trust us to handle it, right?» «Trust,» Alex lied. «But docs wait for now. Too early, not even a week after funeral.»
«Alex, but longer we drag, harder and costlier procedures.» «Inheritance there serious, big house in prime Riverton area, land plot, bank accounts.» «Need to format fast, before other claimants appear.»
«What other claimants?» «Who knows. Distant relatives, Grandpa’s neighbors, acquaintances. Always people claiming deceased promised them something or verbally willed.
You know how greedy for others’ goods now.» «Better format quick by law, no problems later.» «Mary, you personally saw the will? Or just heard of it?» «Of course saw.
Grandpa showed copy in life. Clearly states main heir Olivia, and if she dies, property split equally among other relatives. Understand?» «Good, I’ll think about docs.
But don’t rush me.» «Won’t rush, of course. Just remember, time is money, and officials love artificial delays…»
After talk Alex immediately called Brian. «They’re rushing inheritance matters hard. Mary asked for Olivia’s docs again, talks urgency.»
«Naturally. Need to legalize fast before anyone suspects true state.» «What did you tell her?» «Said I’ll think, but too early.»
«Right tactic. Drag time, but not too obviously.» «By the way, at morgue I found something very interesting.»
Brian detailed his visit to pathologist, oddities with body, unknown woman, and that Ortiz personally involved in delivery. «So they really switched bodies,» Alex summed grimly. «And all planned ahead.»
«Exactly.» «Alex, picture clearing, but need even stronger irrefutable proof.» «Tomorrow I go to Riverton, check accident circumstances and study Grandpa Nicholas’s will.»
«And me?» «Continue as usual. And try casually learn from relatives more details on will: who drafted, where original stored, exact inheritance amount, who else knows content.» «What if they suspect?» «Be natural…
You have full right to ask about wife’s inheritance.» Early next morning Brian drove to Riverton. En route he called several acquaintances in local law enforcement, checking accident details and Grandpa Nicholas’s death circumstances.
«Brian,» said mobile senior lieutenant Smith, old service buddy. «Case really shady and suspicious. Officially looks ordinary accident, but several very strange nuances.»
«Tell more.» «First, crash site odd. Usually no accidents there—straight wide highway, no sharp turns or steep drops.
Second, car not found right away.» «Any witnesses to incident itself?» «No direct, but interesting detail. Nearby village residents say that night two cars passed highway short interval: first sedan, then dark SUV or jeep behind.»
«Could mean pursuit?» «Quite possible. And another oddity—traces at crash site. Like one car tried to push or force the other off road.»
Brian noted all details carefully. Picture clearer: accident deliberately provoked. In Riverton first he inspected Grandpa Nicholas’s house.
Old brick mansion, early 20th century, historic center. Large well-kept plot with fruit trees and flowerbeds, solid sauna, garage for two cars. Real estate very expensive and attractive.
Neighbors eagerly shared memories of old man’s last months. «Nicholas was wonderful man,» said elderly woman from next house, «only lately relatives hounded him with attention. Especially after doctors said days numbered.»
«And who visited often?» «All nephews and nieces. Before—years without showing, not even birthday or holiday congrats. Suddenly so caring.
Especially Mary with husband almost every weekend.» «And brought those two brothers—Kuznetsovs, I think.» «How did Grandpa react?» «Varied.
Told me once, Olivia only one truly loves me. These just wait my death for inheritance.» «And granddaughter Olivia how often visited Grandpa.»
«Olivia regularly for years, since childhood. At least monthly, often more. Grandpa loved her much, all neighbors knew.
Called her his only true granddaughter.» Brian noted several neighbors’ contacts for possible further testimonies and went to local hospital where Nicholas died. At facility he learned old man indeed died of massive heart attack.
«And relatives knew about will drafting.» Brian asked attending doctor. «Knew alright.
They insisted on urgent notary call. Said Grandpa wants all legal to avoid family disputes after death.» «Their reaction to will content?» «Mildly put, shocked and upset.
Especially Mary—even made scene, yelled Grandpa not himself, will invalid.» Next stop notary office. Olivia Victoria Sokolov, notary with 20-year experience, very neat and pedantic woman.
«Will of Nicholas Peter Kuznetsov?» she echoed. «Of course remember. Very unusual and tense case.»
«What unusual exactly?» «All movable and immovable property, house, land plot, bank deposits, car, antiques—fully to granddaughter Olivia Thompson. Motivated that only she sincerely cared for him all years.» «Other relatives’ reaction?» «Extremely outraged and upset.
Mary tried proving to me Grandpa under strong meds influence, will under duress. But Nicholas fully conscious, answered all my questions clearly. I officially certified…»
«And approximate inheritance value?» «Didn’t do exact appraisal, but roughly house in center at least 400 thousand dollars. 20-acre plot—another 200 thousand. Bank deposits—about 150 thousand.
Plus antique furniture, paintings, rare books. Total around 800 thousand dollars.» Eight hundred thousand dollars.
Serious sum some ready for desperate acts over. «Olivia, any relatives asked about reformat procedure if main heir dies.» Notary raised brows surprised.
«Yes, asked persistently. Mary called next day after Grandpa’s funeral. Detailed questions: what docs needed, how long procedure, can speed up somehow.»
«And what you explained?» «Said need heir’s death cert, docs proving relation degree, written statements from all claimants. Usual takes six weeks to two months.» «And she hurried?» «Very.
Said concrete plans for quick real estate sale, potential buyers already.» Brian thanked notary and went to crash site. Highway section indeed totally safe: straight road, good pavement, excellent visibility.
On shoulder and asphalt he found characteristic traces: long scratches and abrasions clearly showing one car tried to force another off road. By evening Brian back in his city and met Alex right away in small cafe on outskirts. «Picture finally clear, but,» he said.
«Your wife victim of carefully planned and professionally executed crime.» «Tell all in order.» Brian laid out all info gathered in Riverton: will for eight hundred thousand, relatives’ reaction, accident oddities.
«So they started planning murder before Grandpa’s death,» Alex concluded grimly. «As soon as heard will content.» «Looks like it.
But I have good news too. Will exists, absolutely legal and notarized per all rules. If we prove Olivia alive, inheritance fully hers.
And bad news?» «Time critically short. Relatives very actively rushing doc reformat.» «And if they realize plan exposed? Then what?» «Then Olivia even bigger problem for them.
And they may decide final physical elimination.» Next day Alex finally convinced he’s under surveillance. Morning leaving home he noticed familiar dark jeep Land Cruiser parked across street.
Same car by his office when he arrived work. And evening same at building entrance. «They’re definitely suspecting,» he told detective meeting at his office.
«Possibly already know we exposed them.» «Very likely. Your appearance at hospital with girl could give you away and alert them seriously.»
«Alex, need to speed our actions urgently. I have acquaintance doctor-expert who can unofficially examine your wife at hospital and conclude on her identity.» «How he get into ICU?» «I’ll arrange with one hospital doctor.
Present him as consultant from state medical center on complex brain trauma cases. In hospital bustle no one will check invited specialist docs thoroughly.» «And if they fully exposed us?» «Then very little time left for action.
Possibly just hours.» At half past midnight Alex and Brian met at hospital service entrance. Anna Johnson waited in dimly lit hall, nervously shifting feet and constantly looking around.
«Hurry, please!» she whispered pleading. On-duty doctor fell asleep half hour ago in office, but on-duty nurse could return any moment from therapy department rounds. «And security?» «Uncle Pete as usual dozing first floor in chair.
Usually sleeps till morning, but just in case go maximally quiet.» «Alarm?» «Disabled 20 minutes ago.» They carefully went service hall to stairs leading ICU.
Alex carried folded medical stretcher, Brian bag with necessary meds in case Olivia reacts badly to disconnect from machines. ICU met with usual sounds: monotonous heart monitor beeps, quiet oxygen tank hisses, steady ventilation hum. In night duty silence these sounds seemed especially sinister and alarming.
«Room seven far end hall,» Anna whispered. «Go very careful, try no noise.» They quietly passed hall past other rooms where heavy condition patients lay.
Alex tried not looking around; those still figures under white sheets in night dim looked too gloomy and depressing. Room seven lit only by soft bedside lamp. Olivia lay on same hospital bed, connected complex medical equipment.
In night quiet life support machines sounded especially loud. «How to disconnect her properly from all this?» Alex whispered worried. «Very careful and gradual,» Brian replied, studying medical equipment attentively…
Main not disrupt vital body functions. They with max caution disconnected monitoring sensors, carefully removed IVs, gently extracted breathing tube and straps. Olivia weakly moaned and tried to move, but didn’t wake.
Her breathing became independent, though shallow and irregular. «Stretcher,» Brian commanded quietly. Together they very carefully transferred Olivia from hospital bed.
She was very light, almost weightless after long lying and artificial feeding. «All, need to leave here urgently,» Brian whispered, thoroughly covering Olivia warm blanket. But at this critical moment footsteps approached far hall end.
Not one person, at least three by sound. And they talked seriously. «Someone coming straight to us,» Anna whispered scared, peeking hall.
Alex carefully looked from room and in hall dim saw three dark silhouettes. Men in civilian clothes clearly not medical staff and heading exactly to ICU. «They’re here and coming to us,» he whispered Brian.
«Who exactly?» «Don’t know, but sure not doctors.» Too late for scheduled medical round. Footsteps approached inexorably.
In night hospital quiet they sounded especially threatening and ominous. «Room seven empty.» Came alarmed male voice.
«Search everywhere!» Ordered another firmly. «Check all rooms, all utility spaces. They couldn’t go far.
Check service stairs and emergency exits.» Added third. Brian instantly assessed critical situation.
«Anna, any other way out this department?» «Yes, through hospital basement. But real maze corridors there, easy get lost in dark. No matter, no other way.»
«Lead us there immediately.» They carefully carried stretcher from room and headed service stairs opposite end long hall. Behind backs pre suitors’ voices sounded louder and insistent.
«Check every room. They’re somewhere here, couldn’t go far with bedridden patient.» Anna led them narrow stairs to hospital basement premises.
Smelled damp and disinfectants. Long corridors branched directions, lit only rare bulbs under low ceiling. «Which way?» Alex whispered, carefully carrying stretcher with wife.
«Follow me,» Anna replied. Only very quiet, sound carries excellent all directions here. They wound complex basement corridors maze, passed storerooms medical equipment, archives docs, old boiler room and laundry.
Olivia lay still, breathing weak but even. Alex periodically checked her pulse, so far all relatively stable. «Here finally exit,» Anna whispered, pointing heavy metal door end another corridor.
Behind door waited paramedic Igor with ambulance, white reanimobile red crosses. «Where were you so long?» He asked worried. «Started thinking something serious happened.»
«Almost did,» Brian replied. «Almost caught us. Quick load patient and go immediately.»
They carefully transferred Olivia to specially equipped vehicle, connected portable ventilator and vital monitoring system. Igor professionally checked her status. «So far stable.
Pulse irregular but not critical. With proper transport we’ll deliver no problem.» Reanimobile carefully moved off.
Alex held wife’s cold hand and mentally prayed all saints for safe end. Olivia alive, with him. But what next? How prove her true identity? And how protect from those who tried kill her twice? Meanwhile at hospital real chaos started.
Discovered patient missing from room seven, disabled alarm, clear signs unauthorized entry ICU. On-duty doctor panicked called police, chief doctor, and of course Doctor Ortiz. «How could this happen?» Ortiz yelled hysterically into phone.
«Where was security? Where were nurses? How strangers penetrate ICU?» «Paul, maybe immediately notify patient relatives of incident?» Chief doctor suggested cautiously. «No relatives.» Ortiz snapped.
«This real abduction. Need urgently search criminals and establish identities.» But he knew perfectly who could organize this bold abduction.
And knew their carefully planned multimillion scam starting catastrophically collapse. Private clinic, Doctor Kozlov’s medical center on Quiet Street city center. Small but superbly equipped latest European medical tech.
Olivia placed comfortable private room, connected monitoring and life support machines. «Patient status stable but requires constant observation,» Doctor Kozlov reported thoroughly after full careful medical exam. «Traumatic brain injury medium severity, but luckily no signs critical damage vital brain centers.
Coma relatively shallow, basic reflexes preserved. With proper intensive treatment real chances full recovery.» «When might she regain consciousness?» Alex asked hopefully.
«Hard say exactly, brain very complex unpredictable organ. Maybe few days, maybe couple weeks. Depends individual body features and therapy correctness.
Continue actively talk to her, tell pleasant events, play favorite music. This stimulates brain helps faster recovery.» «Brian,» Alex said when alone in clinic hall, «now urgently appeal law enforcement. We have live witnesses, irrefutable proof doc forgery, the victim herself.» «Fully agree.
And how explain abduction to investigators?» «Say acted solely in victim’s interest, illegally held hospital fake docs. Serious grounds believe her life mortal danger.» First two days private clinic passed relatively calm no incidents.
Olivia’s condition slowly but steadily improved, doctors noted positive dynamics neurological status. Alex practically didn’t leave her bedside, held hand, quietly talked, read aloud her favorite poems and novels, hoping she hears and feels his presence. «Olivia, it’s me, your Alex,» he whispered, gently stroking her thin fingers…
«You’re completely safe, my dear. I know you hear and understand me. We’ll definitely deal with all these scoundrels, they’ll get deserved punishment.
Main thing, you’re alive, with me, home.» On third day first small but very important miracle happened. When Alex told wife how brave girl Katie helped find her hospital, he felt Olivia’s fingers barely but definitely squeeze in response to his touch.
Very weak movement, but he couldn’t mistake, fully conscious reaction to words. «Doctor Kozlov!» He called excited.
«She reacted to my story. Squeezed fingers.» Doctor quickly approached bed and ran series simple neurological tests, checked pupil reaction bright light, tendon reflexes, response pain stimuli.
«Indeed noticeable positive dynamics,» he confirmed satisfied. «Muscle tone gradually rising, response external stimuli more pronounced meaningful.» «Very good sign meaning coma exit process started.
Continue talk actively.» Statement to district police department filed first half next day. Investigator Natalie Serena Ivanov, experienced middle-aged woman smart attentive eyes impeccable reputation, patiently heard their incredible story, carefully studied all submitted docs.
«Story indeed detective novel grade,» she said closing thick folder materials. «But evidence very serious convincing scientifically based. Based submitted materials initiating criminal case articles ‘Fraud large scale’, ‘Forgery official documents’ and ‘Attempted murder aggravating circumstances’.»..
«How fast detain all suspects?» Asked experienced Brian. «Already today afternoon send several ops groups simultaneous detention. But first ensure reliable guard victim.
Where she now?» Alex gave exact address Doctor Kozlov’s private clinic. «Excellent. Immediately organize round-clock guard from criminal investigation there.
And you, Alex, also be extremely careful nearest days. Criminals desperate may attempt flee or cover tracks any ways.» «And what do with hospital where wife lay fake docs?» «Conduct full thorough internal audit there, interrogate all medical staff without exception.
Find out who knew criminal scheme actively participated, who acted unaware true circumstances.» Mass arrests started afternoon same day. Mary and David Kuznetsov taken home during dinner discussing plans quick Grandpa house sale and money split.
Paul Ortiz arrested right hospital during scheduled patient intake clinic. Cousins Kuznetsov detained work places taxi and warehouse. All caught off guard completely unexpected such swift events.
During suspects’ home searches ops found many compromising evidences irrefutably confirming guilt. Active phone correspondence detailed crime aspects discussion, receipt payment bribed medics services, even handwritten notes detailed plan death staging subsequent actions. «Complete idiots,» Brian shook head amazed when investigator showed part found physical evidence.
«Kept home absolutely all crime proofs like souvenirs.» «Apparently so overconfident impunity didn’t think need destroy compromising materials,» Natalie commented. Classic beginner criminals error, serious overestimation own abilities underestimation law enforcement work.
While relative criminals gave confessions police, Doctor Kozlov’s private clinic real medical miracle happened. Fifth day after rescue Olivia began gradually wake. First she blinked much more often tried open eyes.
Then began weakly move fingers hands feet. Alex practically not leaving bedside immediately noticed these encouraging changes. «Olivia!» He called carefully leaning her face.
«You hear me?» «Try open eyes.» She slowly visible effort parted eyelids looked him. Gaze cloudy confused but definitely meaningful recognizing.
«Alex?» She whispered barely audible. «Is it really you?» «Or dreaming?» «Yes, me your husband.» «You’re completely safe, my dear.»
«What?» «What happened me?» «Where am I?» Doctor Kozlov urgently called patient conducted comprehensive express exam. Main brain functions intact, memory fully preserved, speech clear coherent. Real miracle after such serious injury.
«Olivia,» experienced doctor asked softly. «You remember events right before lost consciousness?» She concentrated straining memory trying restore sequence. «I was driving.
Driving home from Grandpa Nicholas funeral Riverton. Already very late, completely dark. Hurrying promised husband return quick.
Whole way behind some car very close aggressive. Headlights constantly blinded eyes, couldn’t see road normally.» «What next?» «Tried speed up break away pursuers but they didn’t lag.
Even opposite, drove closer. Then something hit my car hard from behind. Lost control, car skidded bad, flipped.
After that remember nothing.» «Faces people pursuing car, could make out?» «No, too dark, headlights blinding. But car itself remembered well—dark big jeep, very like David’s, my sister Mary’s husband.»
Alex and Doctor Kozlov exchanged meaningful glances. Olivia’s testimony fully confirmed their version accident deliberately provoked organized. «Olivia,» Alex began carefully, «need tell you something very important shocking.
About what happened after accident.» He detailed delicately whole incredible story: death staging, fake funeral, how girl Katie helped find her hospital fake docs, relatives’ arrest. Olivia listened growing horror disbelief pain.
«So officially buried me?» She whispered shocked. «And own people I trusted life wanted seize Grandpa Nicholas inheritance.» «You sole heir per will on 800 thousand dollars»…
Olivia cried bitterly. Not physical pain, soul trauma. Closest people she loved considered family betrayed most vile cruel way.
«Where they now?» She asked through tears. «Under investigation. Detained day before yesterday charged fraud attempted murder.
And what with them?» «Get long prison terms. 15-20 years each, no less.» Olivia nodded silently closed eyes.
Needed time comprehend accept this terrible truth betrayal closest. «Alex,» she said quietly after some time, «and that girl helped you? What’s name?» «Katie Johnson. Amazing kid, very smart brave fair.
Want thank her properly.» «If not her, never known truth, I’d died that hospital.» «Definitely thank.
She her mom Anna very worried you.» Two weeks later Olivia fully recovered discharged private clinic. Doctors recommended avoid serious stresses regular preventive checkups, but overall prognosis favorable.
Alex came her white roses bouquet, her favorite flowers since youth. «Ready start new life clean slate.» He asked helping her car…
«Ready. But first solve all legal bureaucratic issues.» Officially Olivia Thompson still listed docs dead.
Had restore all docs, cancel death record at vital records, reissue ID, license, bank cards and of course inheritance rights. US bureaucratic system not ready such extraordinary case, law doesn’t provide resurrection dead. But eventually justice prevailed. City court officially recognized Olivia alive, canceled death record, restored all civil rights.
Grandpa Nicholas inheritance finally formatted her name full accordance notarized will. «What do Grandpa’s house Riverton?» Alex asked when got all title docs. «Sell immediately,» Olivia replied firmly.
«Too many bad painful memories there.» «Better buy something new where truly happy calm.» «And proceeds how use?» «Part good new house, part save future.
And generously help all who helped us—Anna Johnson her daughter Katie, Doctor Kozlov, your friend Brian.» Court trial relatives lasted 4 months. All defendants got harsh sentences per crimes severity.
Mary Kuznetsov 12 years imprisonment, David Kuznetsov 13 years, Paul Ortiz 11 years, brothers Kuznetsov 10 years each. All tried appeal verdicts higher courts, hired expensive lawyers, but unsuccessfully. Proof guilt absolutely irrefutable exhaustive.
Alex Olivia принципиально didn’t attend court hearings. Didn’t want see faces those cruelly betrayed. Main justice finally triumphed.
Month after trial end Alex Olivia visited Anna Johnson her wonderful daughter Katie. Wanted personally thank invaluable help support most critical moments. «Without you never known terrible truth,» Olivia said hugging Anna tightly.
«You risked job personal safety complete strangers.» «Oh, it our human duty,» kind woman embarrassed. Simply couldn’t allow such monstrous injustice.
«Mom did right,» 11-year-old Katie stated seriously. «Told Uncle Alex his wife alive.» Remember, all laughed recalling that dramatic cemetery day.
Indeed, Katie amazingly accurate prophet, Olivia alive, but experienced left indelible scars spouses’ souls. «Katie,» Olivia said, «want offer something very important. You’re incredibly smart talented girl, should have excellent education brilliant future.
Don’t want switch good academy? Ready fully pay all tuition extra classes.» «Really can?» Smart girl perked. «Long dreamed study real good school strong teachers.
Of course can. And not only school. Then university, if want become doctor, lawyer or anyone else.
Want become private detective like Uncle Brian.» Katie declared resolutely. «Help people find truth restore justice.»
Excellent noble idea, Alex smiled approvingly. «You’ll make wonderful detective with sharp justice sense.»
Anna tears joy gratitude eyes thanked such generosity. For her real fate gift, chance provide beloved daughter worthy education bright future. «And more,» Olivia added, «want offer move new spacious apartment. We have free real estate can gift you.
Too expensive valuable,» Anna protested. «Can’t accept such generous gift.» «Can should.
You literally saved my life. Can measure money?» Eventually Anna agreed proposal. Month half later she Katie moved beautiful two-bedroom, Katie enrolled city’s best academy.
Brian Peterson got very generous reward professional work, also became true celebrity among private detectives. Resurrection dead wife story legendary professional circles. Started getting most complex tangled cases whole country.
Doctor Kozlov refused monetary reward but gratefully accepted gift modern high-tech medical equipment private clinic sum million dollars. Year half passed those tragic but ultimately happy events. Alex Olivia sold Grandpa’s Riverton house five hundred thousand dollars bought beautiful modern cottage ecologically clean suburb.
Quiet calm place surrounded pine forest picturesque lake nearby. No painful memories, only hope happy future. Olivia fully recovered serious injury.
Sometimes headaches bothered rainy weather, but doctors assured time fully pass. Main, alive healthy truly happy. Alex changed radically too.
Experienced taught value every day with loved one, not take family happiness granted. Became more attentive caring patient, stopped fretting work trifles. Work career growth material goods—all secondary main life treasure strong loving family.
Life continued. Beautiful meaningful second life they got thanks brave little girl true sincere love strength.
