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Valerie’s medical testing confirmed that she has cardiovascular disease, which is common in patients with schizophrenia. She stayed overnight in the hospital and was released the next day with a slew of new prescriptions. With her came two full-time nurses (not Jackie or Brittney) who rotate out every twelve hours, and a doctor who visits daily. The next step will be surgery, although she’s not stable enough for that yet.

Astor and I rarely speak about what happened at Leo’s apartment, though it’s a sick, dark cloud that lingers between us. Cillian “took care” of the bloody scene and erased any evidence that we were there. It’s like it never happened. Well, aside from the sinking feeling in my gut I get every time I think about it.

I try to stay out of the way as much as possible, which I’m doing now, trimming hedges in the garden. It’s a humid, cloudy day with the promise of rain on the horizon.

More rain.

The overnight nurse reverses out of the driveway, pulling my attention. Seconds later, the day nurse arrives.

I decide to take a break.

I pull my phone from my pocket.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Brittney, it’s Sabine.”

“Hey! How are you? How’s Mr. Stone? And Valerie?” I can hear the hustle of the hospital behind her. She must be at work.

“Valerie’s pretty sick.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. How do you like the new nurses?”

“I don’t know, really. I’ve just been staying out of the way as much as possible.”

“I know one of them, Carla. Everyone loves her. She’s been around for a long time and knows her stuff. How’s Mr. Stone?”

“He’s okay, trying to catch up on work stuff while dealing with Valerie’s health.” I take a deep breath. “So. How are things in geriatrics?”

“Today, a patient came in. Her name is Karen. She’s in and out a lot. She asked for me specifically and when I went to see her, she’d knitted me a scarf.”

“Oh, Brittney, that’s so wonderful.”

“Yes, I almost cried. It makes the bad days and bed pans worth it.”

“You’re something else, you know that?”

“Honestly, though? I’d rather be working for you again. ”

I chuckle, but it feels forced.

Ever since the night at Leo’s, I’ve been sick about Brittney. Obviously, I couldn’t tell her what happened, but I can’t help that I want to. I hate lying to her.

“So, um, Leo still hasn’t turned up?” She asks.

“No.” My stomach sinks. “We think he took off after Astor met with him.”

She sighs. “And you’re still not going to tell me what they talked about?”

“Maybe someday.” I swallow the knot in my throat. “Anyway, that’s not why I’m calling. I wanted to let you know you should be receiving a package today. A few, actually.”

“Really?” Her voice perks up. “From you?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I smile. “If anything doesn’t fit, let me know.”

“Oh my gosh, Sabine?—”

“Hush. Don’t make it weird.”

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