Chapter 6 - The Fall Rachel Feared
Rachel had recorded videos.
Grant found encrypted drive.
Password:
Emma’s birthday.
First video was Rachel sitting in same living room.
“If you're watching this, I either ran out of courage or time.”
Grant closed eyes.
Rachel had died in aneurysm.
Sudden.
Natural.
No conspiracy.
She had expected someday reveal investigation but kept postponing.
Video:
“Grant, I don't think anyone made you paralyzed.”
Important.
“I think you learned not to move.”
Grant frowned.
Not psychological paralysis in simplistic sense.
Rachel explained.
After accident, Grant’s nervous system retained partial motor pathways.
Pain, spasticity, medication-induced weakness, repeated falls and fear produced severe functional suppression layered on genuine injury.
His disability was real.
Not fake.
Not “all in his head.”
But some unused capacity may have remained.
Then why doctors missed?
They didn't entirely.
Several notes suggested rehabilitation potential.
Grant stopped aggressive rehab after frightening fall and anonymous MRI warning.
Later doctors respected choice.
Rachel believed warning changed everything.
Who sent it?
She found printer metadata.
Marlowe residence.
Victor?
Or Selena?
Selena was seventeen.
Could have access.
Then Rachel confronted Selena.
Second video contained audio.
Rachel:
“Did you send Grant that scan?”
Selena:
“No.”
“Did your father?”
Silence.
Then:
“Yes.”
Victor sent warning.
Why?
Because he believed Grant was pushing too fast.
MRI was real.
But wording “next fall could leave you permanently paralyzed” was medically exaggerated.
Victor wanted scare Grant into slowing down.
Paternalistic.
Harmful.
Not sinister scheme.
Selena knew.
That explained some fear when Grant stood.
She believed father's warning.
But twelve years later?
Why still?
Then Rachel asked Selena:
“Why did he keep treating Grant after study ended?”
Selena answered:
“Because someone paid him.”
Grant leaned forward.
Who?
Audio cut.
File corrupted.
Then Nathan became suspect again.
Or insurance.
Or Grant’s father.
His father William Holloway died eight years ago.
William had been obsessed with preserving company.
Grant’s accident threatened succession.
Maybe he paid Victor to keep Grant medically sidelined while Nathan took over?
But Nathan didn't take over then.
Rachel did.
William disliked Rachel.
Potential.
Then financial records showed payments to Victor from Holloway Family Office.
$15,000 monthly for two years.
Authorized by William.
Purpose:
Private neurological care.
Grant knew family paid bills.
Not secret.
Again innocent-looking clue.
Then hidden addendum:
Consultation regarding executive capacity.
Victor advised William Grant should not resume CEO work.
That hurt.
Grant’s own doctor discussed him with father.
Potential confidentiality issue.
William then installed professional CEO.
Grant remained chairman.
No financial theft.
Maybe William genuinely protected business.
Then Emma found another item in Rachel’s box.
A photograph.
Selena.
Rachel.
And Victor.
Taken only three years ago.
Impossible.
Victor died five years ago.
Grant stared.
Then Emma turned photo over.
Rachel had written:
May you like
Not Victor.
His twin.
