oothe the knot in Alisha's stomach. She sat across from Chastity Holland in a tr

u look like hell," she said, her voice uncharacteristically soft. Then sh

ything. Firing Dr. Price. The furious phone call wi

tively reached out to steady them. "It's about damn time you fired that quack! And he thr

s frayed nerves. It felt good to have someone in

foam swirled into a meaningless pattern. "I need to find a new doctor for Zoe. A real

her expression serious, her chin resting in her hand. She

, her ey

g to a conspiratorial whisper. "I t

t was almost painful, flicke

legend," Chastity said, leaning even closer. "In

owned. "T

. "He only takes the most impossible cases. Kids from war zones, black site interrogations, extreme trauma. My brother's company did some consulting work for a

t faster. This was it. This

iting list is years long, and he only takes cases he personally finds 'compelling'. The

Alisha's chest dimmed.

in the ass, but he owes me. Big time. And he has contacts in D. C. that are way above his pay grade. I will call him, I will text him, I wi

t a genuine smile spread across her lips for the first time

.. tha

ease. Just remember to buy me a Birki

inutes, sitting in the sun-drenche

hipping down the street didn't feel quite as cold. She had

g, drawing quietly. Alisha walked over and knelt behind

by," she whispered, pressing a

eight. She didn't say anything, but she turned h

ough. It