Chapter 8 - THE EMAIL FROM LEGAL
Lucinda had been warned by club counsel before the birthday.
Explicitly.
That removed the last possibility that she misunderstood claims procedure.
The email came from Erica Moss, outside counsel for the athletic club.
Subject:
RUBY VENTANO CLAIM — CONTACT BOUNDARIES.
Erica wrote:
Please do not question the child directly regarding symptoms for claims purposes.
Please do not influence use of prescribed medical devices.
Please do not request staged demonstrations of physical capacity.
Please do not solicit witness statements regarding medical necessity.
Any relevant family photographs or videos that already exist may be preserved, but do not create material for the purpose of influencing the claim.
Clear.
Why had Erica sent it?
Because Lucinda asked whether “family observations” could be submitted to challenge the reserve.
Erica recognized danger early.
Then Lucinda replied:
Understood.
One word.
Four days later:
Garden video.
Then the birthday videographer.
Knowing violation.
Not necessarily a crime by itself.
Still devastating to governance.
Then another email.
Lucinda to her brother:
They’re turning a temporary knee issue into a liability circus.
Brother:
Because you deferred the stair repair.
Lucinda:
The stair was usable.
Brother:
Then let insurer handle it.
Lucinda:
If reserve goes where they’re discussing, board will remove me before foundation vote.
There.
Motive.
Then:
Brother:
Better than touching Ruby’s brace again.
Lucinda:
She doesn’t need it like Salvatore thinks.
Brother:
You’re not her doctor.
Again.
Everyone told her.
She continued.
Why?
Because by then she had convinced herself that the child’s continued treatment was not neutral medical care.
May you like
It was an accusation.
Every strap around Ruby’s knee looked like a finger pointing at her.
