Page 9 of Lilly

Garret picks up Ethan as Jade takes Miles. "You can have a slumber party," he says to Abi, "but you're not staying up all night."

"Garret, you're no fun," Lilly says. "Slumber parties are all about staying up late. Eating candy. Watching movies."

"Yeah, Dad," Abi says. "We want to stay up late. Please!"

He sighs, his eyes on Lilly. "Fine, but when they're cranky the next day, they're all yours. I'll be hanging out with the boys."

"Works for me," Lilly says, a big grin on her face. She loves spending time with her nieces and nephews. When she's around Abi and Hannah, she reverts back to being more childlike, which I think is because she never had much of a childhood herself. Katherine kept her locked away in her room and rarely let her play with other children.

Grace approaches me, speaking quietly. "I just spoke with Meredith."

"And? What did she say?"

"He's not doing well. His blood pressure dropped and he passed out again."

"Let's step outside." I lead her to the back patio where we can talk. When the children are over, it tends to get rather loud and it's hard to hear. "Any update on what's wrong with him?"

"The doctors still don't have any answers. I'm hoping by the time we get there, they will."

"He's at the Clinic, I assume."

"Yes. At the one near his house in New York."

"Who's the attending physician?"

"I believe it's Andover."

"Andover." I stop to think who that is. I'm so far removed from the organization that I haven't even been to a Clinic in years. I go to a regular physician, as does the rest of my family.

"Dr. Andover is a younger man," Grace says. "In his thirties. He started when you moved out here."

"Yes, I remember him now." I shake my head. "He should not be the one caring for William. He's too young. Too inexperienced. William is too important to be cared for by Andover. The other members know this. I assume they're bringing in someone else?"

"No. Meredith said Andover would be the one taking care of him."

That doesn't make sense. A high level member being cared for by a junior level physician? My internal radar goes up, signaling something isn't right but I don't have time to assess what that might be.

Right now, I need to find a new doctor for William. The only one I trust.

Chapter Three

Pearce

I get my phone out and call Logan.

He answers right away. "Pearce. How nice to hear from you. It's been months since we talked."

"Yes. I'm sorry it's been so long. I had a very busy speaking schedule last spring and then Lilly moved back from college."

"Don't worry about it. I've been busy as well. So what have you been up to, besides giving speeches?"

"Logan, I'm sorry but I can't really talk right now. I'm getting on a plane soon. I'm heading to New York to see William Sinclair. He was admitted to the Clinic this morning."

"Oh. I hadn't heard."

"Yes, well, his mother, Grace, just informed me that Dr. Andover is William's physician. As you know, he's not approved to treat someone at William's level. I don't know who assigned him to William or why they did, but this must be corrected right away. I was wondering if you could help me out. I'm no longer aware of what physicians are available but—"

"I'll do it."

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