for a living, you learn.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It is.”
For the first time that night, his smile reached his eyes.
Only briefly.
Then he glanced at the photograph again.
“May I ask one question?”
“Yes.”
“Why was Ethan investigating Northbridge?”
I should have refused.
Instead I said, “He says there were financial discrepancies.”
Adrian’s smile disappeared.
“What kind?”
“Medical supplies paid for but never delivered.”
He went absolutely still.
Not surprised.
Not exactly.
Recognizing something.
I saw it.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
I stared at him.
He sighed.
“You’re right. That was a terrible answer.”
“What did you remember?”
Adrian looked toward the window at the far end of the hallway.
“Caroline once complained about treatment delays.”
My pulse quickened.
“What kind of delays?”
“Medication. Equipment. I don’t know. At the time we assumed it was normal hospital bureaucracy.”
“Did she ever mention Northbridge?”
“No.”
“Did you investigate?”
“She was sick.”
