Page 120 of Lilly

"I spent the night at my mother's house," I explain. "Now I'm heading back to William's. That's why I flew out here. I was helping out at the office. William hasn't been able to work. As you know, he's been ill. But he's feeling much better now."

"Did they diagnose what's wrong with him?" Albert asks.

"Yes. It turns out his blood pressure was too low." I look at Phillip for his reaction. His expression doesn't change, but his body is tense as he uses all his energy to hide his guilt.

"You'd think with all the hours he works his blood pressure would be high, not low," Albert comments.

I keep my eyes on Phillip. "You certainly would, wouldn't you?"

Phillip lets out an annoyed sigh. "Pearce, if you'll excuse us, Albert and I don't have time to chat. We're in the middle of a match."

"Actually, we just finished." Albert smiles. "I won."

"You always were a fine athlete," I tell him, making him smile even more. "Perhaps you could join me on the golf course some time."

"Yes, we should do that."

Phillip is now fuming, his lips pursed, his neck muscles tight. He doesn't want me here. He doesn't know why I am, and the uncertainty is nearly killing him. He knows I'm not here to play golf.

"Would you gentlemen like some water?" I pull two bottles from my golf bag.

"Thank you," Albert says, taking one of the bottles.

I offer one to Phillip. "Would you like some?"

"I already have water." He looks back at the bench and sees it's gone. "What happened to it? Did someone take our water?"

"I believe the attendant did," I say. "He was cleaning up. He probably saw you over here and thought you were done."

"We're not done!" Phillip exclaims. "How dare he take it without asking!"

"Here, have this one." I hand him the bottle and as he takes a drink I say, "It's fresh spring water. I took it from the cooler in William's office."

Phillip spits out the water, spewing it all over the ground and on Albert's shoe.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Albert says, stepping back. "You spit all over me!"

"I'm very sorry," Phillip says, wiping his mouth. He notices the bottle in Albert's hand. Half the water is gone. Phillip grabs it from him. "Don't drink that!"

Albert looks at Phillip like he's lost his mind. "Are you insane? Give it back. Right now!"

"I can't!" He frantically pours it out. "You can't drink this."

"Phillip, you better tell me what the hell is going on here. My patience is wearing thin."

"It's...it's not drinkable," Phillip says, tossing the empty bottle aside.

"Why the hell not?" Albert sets his hands on the sides of his waist.

"Yes, Phillip," I say. "Tell us why."

He scowls at me but says nothing.

"Phillip!" Albert scolds. "If you don't start talking I will—"

"The water is contaminated!" he shouts.

Albert turns to me, his face turning red. "You gave me contaminated water?"

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