w long it took for the hos

ead glistening with sweat. Behind him trailed a pale-face

ed, replaced by a practiced loo

e bedside. "Mr. Marks, I am so terribly sor

n plaques in the lobby, usually associated with generic "Consulting Groups"

his shoulders. The robe gaped slightly, revealing a jagged, pale scar

quiet. "I wake up to a strange woman holding a razo

finger at Jeanine. "Dr. McIntosh. She's... she's incompete

-you did! You t-to

s pleading with her to be the scapegoat. "

a hand. The r

adows of the corner. Jeanine hadn't even noticed h

on, "will be filing a formal complaint for medical malpractice, as

nine. "We start

n the air like a

llion d

rame to stay upright. Her mother's care cost six thous

f his hand. "And Miller? If she is employed here by sunset, I'm

was numb. They marched her down the hall, past the staring nurses

til we process your suspen

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She

d. They're stopping the meds at midnight u

over her mouth. She couldn't break down. Not now. Tear

heavy double doo

othing le

answer a phone, then she slipped through the fire exit door. She climbed the stairs, her h

odyguards were gone-likely sweepi

was sligh

d's voice floated out

ressing her back

f her father is a Senator. I am not goin

pa

... No, I am not impotent, for God's sake... Listen to me. I hav

uine agony that had nothin

ve to

ame a sound of struggle-sheets r

is side, his knuckles white. The kidney stone was moving. He wasn't

epped

was pale, sweat beading on his fore

a heavy glass water pitcher

t o

ead. Glass exploded outward. Shards sliced across Jeanine's

ch. She stepped

ice shook, but she forced herself to wa

arsh, dry sound. "W

ulled out a small, leather-bound case. She unrolle

at her like she was insane.

aid, her eyes locking onto his. "And it makes you gro

was cornered by his own

work, I'll sign a confession saying I assaul

hit him, and he squeezed his eyes shut

out. "But if you mis

needle. She didn't aim for his bac

is thumb and index finger-Li4, Hegu. She found the

pen. He gasped, not

sened. The agonizing cramp in his flank didn't vanish, but the sha

hen at her. The silence