Page 16 of Web of Lies
I turn my head to look at the folder Adrian left on his nightstand. I could look over the papers tonight. It wouldn't take that long. I lean across the bed as far as I can and grab it, dragging it across the comforter and into my lap. It feels so much heavier than it should be. Adrian was right, there really are only a few things inside.
The first thing I pull out is the new payroll document for a new lobby attendant. Not quite a secretary, but more than a door opener. Roger Bellmont, with a starting salary of... No, that can't be right. I blink my eyes hard a few times and then look back down at the page. No, I didn't misread. That is far too much for a starting pay rate. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the position. I read over it again, much more carefully, scowling when the letters on the page start to blur together.
“Adrian!” I call. “Can you come up here for just a minute, please?”
He walks through the door drying his hands and smiling when he sees the folder open on my lap. “What's the matter?”
“Do you mind reading this to me aloud? I started working on it because I felt better after eating something, but things are getting muddled again.”
“Sure thing, babe.”
Then he starts reading aloud and after a few minutes his words start blurring together, too. This isn't going to work. “Wait,” I say, trying to lift my hand and failing. “I can't. It has to wait till morning.”
I don't remember much else after that, but when I wake up the next morning the folder is gone.
“Rise and shine, Mrs. Nash,” Anne chirps as she comes into my bedroom. She's wearing a top that clashes so harshly with her pants that I don't want to look at her. “I've brought you some tea and your smoothie. Mr. Nash said you weren't feeling well last night and I thought a light breakfast would be best.”
“What kind of smoothie is it?” I croak.
“Mango and banana.”
At least it isn't strawberry.
“Here's your medicine.” She hands me the little plastic cup. “Do you need more water?”
“Probably,” I say, my voice still rough.
She picks up my water glass and leaves to fill it while I look down at the pills in the cup and sigh.
She returns with a fresh glass of water and stands in front of me until I swallow the pills. “Now drink your smoothie before the vitamins make you nauseous.”
I remind myself that I'm glad it isn't strawberry and put the straw into my mouth. After I take a few sips, I put the smoothie down and glance back over at the nightstand on Adrian's side of the bed, my eyes wrinkling in renewed confusion. “Have you been in here this morning before now?”
“No,” she answers. “I only came in when it was time for you to wake up. Why? What's wrong?”
“Did you happen to see a brown leather folder anywhere since you've been here?”
She nods. “Mr. Nash put one in his bag this morning when he was heading out the door. Is everything alright?”
“Do you mind calling Adrian for me?”
“Sure. I left my phone downstairs. I'll go get it and be right back.”
“Thank you, Anne.”
I must have fallen asleep again because Anne's hissing voice wakes me up.
“I don't think so. Yes, I gave them to her, but she's been asking about them. She's going to catch on... She's sleeping now... No, I don't think... That's too much, Mr. Nash. That could... I thought you didn't want to do that because of the... No, I'm sure. I was in there just a few minutes ago, she's asleep now. You can check the camera yourself... I'll increase the dose if that's what you really want, but I won't accept the consequences... I'm aware of that, Mr. Nash, but that dose could... Yes, I understand. When she wakes up.”
The blood rushing violently through my ears as my pulse quickens keeps me from hearing anything else, but I keep my eyes shut and my breathing steady. Adrian is probably watching me on the security camera and I need to decide what I think about the conversation I just overheard before I react to it.
Why the secrecy? Why not just talk to me about my medications?
The medications that haven't been prescribed by any doctor.
She pushed me.
She really did. I didn't imagine it.
