Chapter 4 - THE CONSULTANT
Dr. Adrian Wells operated a private family-stability practice in the city.
He was not a pediatrician.
He held a psychology license and consulted for wealthy families during custody disputes, inheritance conflicts, and public scandals.
Serena introduced him to Victor after Amelia’s death.
She said Ethan needed grief-informed developmental care.
Victor allowed monthly visits but attended only the first.
I remembered Wells walking through the nursery without kneeling beside Ethan.
He asked more questions about staff access, Victor’s travel schedule, and household authority than about the child’s emotions.
Detective Cole requested his records.
Wells refused, claiming patient confidentiality.
A judge ordered limited production related to injury documentation.
His files described me as “overattached,” “possessive,” and “increasingly resistant to household hierarchy.”
I had spoken with him twice.
Once about Ethan’s sleep.
Once when he asked whether I hoped Victor would marry someone “more maternal.”
I told him the question was inappropriate.
He wrote:
Subject demonstrates hostility toward future stepmother.
The reports concerning Ethan’s cut lip and bathwater burn contained photographs taken after the injuries.
They did not establish who caused them.
Both blamed inadequate maid supervision.
Neither mentioned Serena was present.
The third report—the foyer report—described an event at 7:35:
Domestic employee seized child by right arm after being confronted for theft. Ms. Montigue intervened to prevent further injury.
At 7:35, I was still in the upstairs linen room.
The foyer injury happened after 7:41.
Wells had not merely approved a blank template.
He had written a complete false account before the event.
Police searched his office under warrant.
They found financial transfers from the Montigue Family Foundation.
Serena described them as legitimate consulting fees.
One invoice said:
SUCCESSION SAFETY REVIEW — PHASE THREE.
The Blackwood family had said nothing publicly about succession.
Victor was forty-two and healthy.
Ethan was two.
Detective Cole asked Victor whether Serena had discussed guardianship.
He said no.
His attorney advised him to review every estate document.
Meanwhile, fingerprint results returned from the tablets found beneath my mattress.
One tablet carried only gloved handling marks.
Another held Serena’s partial fingerprint.
Her attorney said she handled her own medicine before it was stolen.
The bracelet carried my skin cells because an officer placed it briefly on my blanket during the search before correcting the procedure.
The contamination weakened both sides.
Evidence rarely remained as clean as stories wanted.
I was released without charge but suspended from employment.
Victor paid for a hotel room because reporters surrounded the staff entrance.
I did not want his money.
I also had no safe apartment. Blackwood House had been my residence.
I accepted three nights through my attorney, Maria Chen, who had taken my case after seeing the search report.
“Do not confuse accepting emergency lodging with trusting him,” she said.
At the hotel, I found twelve missed calls from the evening housekeeper, Nora Finch.
When I called back, she whispered:
“Serena made me sign one of the old reports.”
“Which one?”
“The bath.”
“Why?”
“She said Mr. Blackwood would fire all of us if the household looked unsafe.”
“Will you tell police?”
“I’m scared.”
“Of losing your job?”
“No.”
Her breath shook.
“Of what happened to Mrs. Blackwood’s first nurse.”
I had never heard that Amelia employed a private nurse.
Before Nora could explain, someone knocked at her door.
She ended the call.
May you like
The next morning Nora failed to report for work.
Her room at the mansion had been cleared before police arrived.
