Page 13 of Lilly

"Certainly," she says.

"Let's go to the office." Logan walks us down there and once we're seated, he says, "William's test results came out normal. His blood pressure was low when he arrived here, but it's now within the normal range. We haven't been able to find anything that would explain why he feels this way."

"So is it what we suspected?" Meredith asks. "He's been working too much?"

Logan nods. "As of now, that's what we're concluding. We'll keep him overnight, then re-run some tests in the morning to make sure nothing has changed. If all looks good, we'll send him home. I would advise he take at least a week off to rest, more if he's able to."

Meredith looks at Grace. "He'll never agree to that."

She pats Meredith's hand. "Then we'll lock him up in his room. Or lock him out of his office. We'll find some way to make that man rest."

She smiles. "Whatever it takes."

"You can go back and see him now," Logan says, "but that'll be it for tonight. We want him to get to sleep early."

Grace and Meredith leave but I remain behind to talk to Logan. "So there was nothing unusual in his blood?"

Logan shakes his head. "Not that we could detect. We tested him for everything and nothing showed up. I really think he's just too overworked. And too stressed. He's going to have to make some changes. Pearce, I haven't mentioned this to William yet, but I think he needs to give up his position at the organization. Or at least have someone fill in for him until he's able to retire from Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. He can't do both. It's too much. Everyone else at that level is retired and can devote all their energy to it. I'd like for you to talk to him about this. I'll tell him as well, but I think he'd be more receptive to the idea if it came from you."

I can't do it. That can't happen. William can't give up his position. If he did, I'm certainly not taking it. Maybe I could find someone else who would.

"Pearce?" Logan says, getting my attention.

"Yes, I'll talk to him." I stand up. "So where is Shelby? I thought you brought her along."

"She's at the hotel. I thought we could all go out to dinner tonight."

"Yes, we'll do that."

We leave his office and I return to William's room. Everyone is there talking to him so I decide to wait until tomorrow to discuss what to do with his position. Besides, I could use a night to think about it.

At six, we go to dinner with Logan and Shelby. Rachel cries when she sees Shelby, but they're happy tears. They haven't seen each other for over a year. They talk a lot on the phone but it's not the same as seeing each other in person.

It's odd being here with Logan and Shelby. It reminds me of my old life, before Rachel was gone. Everything was so different back then. I was deeply enmeshed in the organization, doing their assignments, trying to hide them from Rachel, fearing my son would someday be part of it. I was constantly stressed. Overworked. So I understand why William is struggling and his health is failing. He probably never should've taken that position, but if he hadn't, the organization would be much different right now. More violent. More controlling. More like it used to be before William used his influence to change it for the better. They still do bad things but not nearly as bad as they used to.

The next morning, we return to the Clinic. William is awake and alert and looks much better, almost like his old self. But he's still very thin and very weak, which is not good when you're in a position like his. He has a lot of enemies, including some of our fellow members, so he needs to be strong and able to defend himself. I, too, have enemies, which is why I keep myself in top condition, working out with a trainer. I also go to target practice every week and carry a gun, either on me or in my car. Rachel often goes with me to the shooting range, and whenever we're not together, she brings her gun with her.

William carries a gun but he needs to be strong enough to take someone down without it. And right now, he's not. He's frail and weak and looks much older than his actual age.

At noon, they discharge him and we all go back to his house, which is a mansion enclosed by a large iron fence with security cameras all around it. This isn't unusual. All the members have tight security at their homes.

Once William is settled in his room, Grace and Meredith make lunch while Jade calls home to check on the children. Rachel phones Lilly, then goes out to the patio to talk to Shelby, who arrived a few minutes ago. While everyone's occupied, I make my way up to William's room.

"Can we talk?" I ask. "Or would you like to rest?"

"We can talk. Come in."

I go and sit on the chair by his bed. "Logan wanted me to speak with you about your role at the organization."

"Yes, he told me. He suggested I find someone to fill in until I'm able to retire as CEO. I think it's a good idea."

"William, you know they won't allow that. You can't just take a year off. It's never been done."

"That doesn't mean it can't happen. And they might be more receptive to it if the right person volunteered to fill in for me." His eyes go to mine.

"For the last time, I am not doing it. I've done everything possible to keep my distance from them. To stay off their radar. There's still a chance they could come after Garret but that chance is minimized if I stay away and make them forget about me."

"They won't come after Garret. They officially released him from his duties years ago."

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