Page 106 of It Starts With A No

Oliver shook his head. “He’s fine with us, but he used to shake people’s hands like it gave him an electric shock.”

“Used to. People overcome things.” She finished up the last of the food on the plate. “There.” She got up and smiled at him. “Still alive and well.”

“And you didn’t flinch from eating any of it.”

Why would … Clary pushed the question from her mind. “I should go get ready. If your brother wants to leave before I’m ready to go, tell him I’ll just book my own ride. It’s not a problem.”

She returned to her room and had just changed into a dark blue shirt and black pants when someone knocked on her door.

“Clary,” Oliver said, his voice soft but clearly in a rush. “Clary.”

She jogged over and opened the door. “Wha—”

“The police are here.”

“Police?”

“Elton ran into them when he was leaving for work. He says some police officers are here to do a welfare check.”

Clary tipped her head back and groaned. “They’re in the apartment now?”

“Downstairs with Seth.”

She slipped past Oliver and ran downstairs. The four officers, Elton, and Seth all turned toward her when she was halfway down the stairs.

“They’re here to do a welfare check,” Elton said. “I wonder why.”

Clary glanced over at Seth. “I’m sorry. Mr. E said he’d cancel it.”

“But the police commissioner was worried,” one of the officers said.

Clary swallowed her sigh. “Well, here I am. I’m fine.”

“Of course she is.” Elton put his feet up on the coffee table. “She’s not under an Eolenfeld’s roof. That’s where you should be doing welfare checks.”

“He’s not a morning person,” Clary said to the officers. She didn’t need this getting back to the Eolenfelds. Gossip spread like wildfire among the Eolenfelds.

She supposed that was what happened when people had too much time on their hands, which was fine. But the Eolenfelds were also a dramatic bunch. They enjoyed drama because they had nothing else to look forward to in life—except their inheritance.

If this came to the Eolenfelds’ ears, Elton could face a blow back. Judging from how obsequious the hospital director was, it wouldn’t be difficult for any of the Eolenfelds to cause Elton to lose his job.

“Oh, I’m the problem.” Elton nodded. “Sure. The Eolenfelds can do no wrong, right?”

Clary peered over at Seth, but he merely sat down next to Elton without a word.

The female officer looked between Elton and Clary. “If you’d like, we can escort you to the hotel. We’ve checked. The room is still reserved for you.”

Forcing herself to keep her gaze from flitting over to Seth, Clary stared at the floor instead. She drew in a long breath, hoping he’d say something.

Anything.

But only silence stretched out, along with her prolonged intake of breath.

She turned to Seth, and he looked right back at her.

Clary waited another second.

All she got was another second of silence.

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