the sliding doors, his tie askew, sweat beading on his forehead. He scanned the waiting area

Adam demanded

ailed. "They had to intubate hi

is face. "Intubate?" The word wa

Evans. He looked exhausted and angry. He pul

Pay

ow is m

was accusatory. "We administered epinephrine and steroids. He's

he didn't know he wa

dics who got there in four minutes. I need to know why a child with a severe pi

couldn't find it. His mot

he one who set up the allergy protocol with this hospital three year

," Adam mumbled, sha

slack. "You live in the same house. You should know where

realized with a sickening jolt that he didn't know the name

" Adam asked, h

e's asking

y in the hospital bed, wires and tubes snaking around h

ispered, taking Joshu

ked groggil

, Josh. I

s hand away slig

water on the bedside table

took a sip and immediately recoiled, coug

erly useless. He remembered suddenly-vividly-watching Jessye mix hot and cold water in a specific blu

High heels clicke

ging a gust of strong floral perfume with her. She

he leaned over the bed, thrusti

he doorway like an avenging

se me? These are f

Dr. Evans shouted. "Lilies are high-pollen

en at Adam. "I... I didn't know

makeup, the selfishness in her choice of gift. She didn't bring a toy. She

am said. His

linked. "But I

ared. The sound startled

he lilies shedding polle

his hands. The silence of the room amplified the beeping o

d. It was the Gen

is calling an emergency meeti

two fronts. His business was locked, and his son was in

needed her to tell him what to do. He needed

her contact

t to vo

king. "Pick up. Please. Josh is hurt. I... I don't

ned his banking app, thinking he could track

ough the joint

credit cards.

as a

number of the most expensive Private Investigator in

ng through a microscope. The world under the lens was orderly.

ting on the lab bench, was lit up with notificatio

She knew the pattern. He would be angry, then dema

it is tomorrow, Jessye. The organizers heard rumors of your return. They

the Davos of the scientific world.

ass of the fume hood. She saw the tired eye

duced as Mrs. Pa

"As Dr. Haley. Head

her hand steady. "Then tell them yes.

new that for the first time in years, she was breathing oxygen that hadn't been