The Consent Form

Brooke stepped out before Evan reached the bottom stair.

"Mr. Rusk."

He stopped as if the basement had produced a ghost with good posture.

"Ms. Chen. Harbor Union usually schedules site visits."

"Kind Harbor usually preserves disputed records."

Nora stayed in the dark behind the shelves with Lila's folder under her jacket. Brooke could feel her there, breathing shallowly, deciding whether to run. Brooke needed her not to. Brooke also needed Evan watching the badge, not the aisles.

Evan smiled. "Do you have a subpoena?"

"Do you have a destruction hold?"

"For what matter?"

"That is what worries me."

Above them, another door opened. Ruiz's voice floated down. "Anyone want to explain why a hospice administrator is alone in a basement with a claims investigator after hours?"

Evan's smile broke at one corner.

"Detective. This is private property."

"Then privately come upstairs."

Brooke moved aside. Evan had no choice but to climb, but as he passed he looked once toward Nora's aisle. Not enough to accuse. Enough to promise.

When his steps faded, Nora came out.

"He knew."

"Yes."

"Did he see the folder?"

"Assume he saw your pulse."

They left by the loading door. In the alley, Nora opened the folder inside Ruiz's car.

The first page was a consent form signed by Lila Hart. The signature was shaky, but Nora had seen enough of Lila's cramped handwriting on the courthouse photo to know it was real.

The second page was a release of life-benefit rights to Vale Family Foundation Review Account.

The third page was witnessed by Judith Vale.

The fourth page was worse.

It listed Miles Andrew Vale as deceased claimant adviser.

Ruiz leaned over the seat. "Deceased adviser?"

Brooke's voice went low. "Someone used a dead man's credentials to approve a living woman's payout."

Nora touched Miles's printed name. "While he was still alive."