She Was a Doctor Who Became a Mail-Order Bride — The Cowboy Who Had No Idea What He Was Getting
Chapter 4
Clara stared at the photograph.
Someone had been watching her before she even arrived.
Ethan took it from her.
His expression changed.
“You’re leaving.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“This isn’t negotiable.”
“I am not afraid.”
“You should be.”
“I’ve been threatened before.”
“Not like this.”
He looked toward the ranch house.
“My family has enemies.”
“Then tell me who.”
“I don’t know.”
“You know more than you’re saying.”
He hesitated.
“My father had business partners.”
“Who?”
“Victor Kane.”
Clara recognized the name.
Kane Medical Supply.
A huge pharmaceutical distributor.
“Dr. Miller works for him?”
“Sometimes.”
Clara frowned.
“That’s a problem.”
“Why?”
She explained that the medication used on Margaret had been purchased through Kane’s company.
Ethan stared.
“So they control the medicine.”
“Yes.”
He looked at her.
“Then this is bigger than my family.”
Clara nodded.
That night, they checked every prescription on the ranch.
Three animals had unexplained illnesses.
Two workers had chronic symptoms.
One stable hand had nearly collapsed.
The pattern was clear.
The medication deliveries were contaminated.
Someone was slowly making people sick.
The goal wasn’t just murder.
It was control.
Ethan gathered the ranch workers.
“We are changing suppliers.”
No one argued.
Then an unfamiliar car arrived.
A man stepped out.
Tall.
Gray-haired.
Expensive coat.
“Ethan.”
He recognized him.
Victor Kane.
Ethan walked forward.
“You’re not welcome here.”
Victor smiled.
“I’ve been doing business with your family for twenty years.”
“Not anymore.”
Victor looked at Clara.
“So this is the doctor.”
Clara stepped forward.
“You know me?”
“I know your reputation.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
Victor smiled.
“You ask dangerous questions.”
“So does your medication.”
Victor’s expression hardened.
“I’d be careful.”
Clara didn’t move.
“Why?”
He looked at Ethan.
“Your wife doesn’t understand how things work.”
Ethan’s voice became cold.
“She understands enough.”
Victor left.
Clara watched him go.
“That’s him.”
“Who?”
“The man behind the medication.”
Ethan frowned.
“You’re sure?”
“No.”
She paused.
“But he’s afraid.”
That mattered.
Later that night, Clara received an email.
An anonymous attachment.
Hospital records.
The same hospital where her career had collapsed.
She opened it.
Her name appeared repeatedly.
Someone had altered patient records to make it look as if Clara had administered the wrong medication.
She had been framed.
And the person who signed the authorization?
Victor Kane.
Clara stared at the screen.
“He ruined my career.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
He studied her face.
“Maybe because you knew too much.”
Clara shook her head.
“I didn’t.”
“Not then.”
She looked at him.
“What do you mean?”
He pointed to the records.
“Maybe you were supposed to discover it.”
A knock came at the door.
Rose stood outside.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“I had a dream.”
“What kind?”
“There was a man in Grandma’s room.”
Clara crouched.
“What man?”
Rose looked frightened.
“He wore a gold watch.”
Ethan froze.
Clara noticed.
“You know who that is.”
Ethan swallowed.
“My uncle.”
“Which one?”
“Richard Walker.”
“Where is he?”
Ethan looked toward the darkness outside.
“He’s supposed to be dead.”
