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The receptionist reappeared after only a minute or two That she caer raised a fes I didn’t care I was too raw, the pain too fresh for er

"Dr Scott will see you now"

I followed her down a long wood-paneled hallway lined with iilt fraany doors Despite their apparent weight, the receptionist pulled one of them open and held it for me with silent ease

I stepped over the threshold and took a long look around

To say Dr Scott’s office was spacious was an understaterew up in probably would’ve fit inside Although the house had a bathroom Come to think of it, there probably was one behind one of the pair of doors on the north wall

The entire as s, so that even through the thin film of cream-colored drapes I could see a wide expanse of ocean, a spectacular sunset coloring the clouds and water with shades of e, crimson, and purple It was just the sort of sunset that Vicki and I had watched only a feeeks before in her roo on chilled iced tea with a hint of peach while breathing in the tangy ocean air

The sunset expanded into this rooolden tans of sand with the blues and greens of the sea and sky Dr Scott sat behind a table lass and weathered driftwood Instead of the traditional suit, he wore khakis and a melon-colored polo shirt that showed off his dark skin and the shining silver of his hair and beard Loafers with no socks coestured toward a conversation grouping in an area far froht "Pardon avein the red eyes, the chapped nose that was already healing "I don’t need to tell you, do I?"

I shook ain while my stomach wanted to relieve itself of contents, andinto the enveloping leather of a high-end executive chair "Has word leaked to the press?"

"Not fro It was all I could do to force words past the luhosthow close you were and the strength of her force of will, I’m not surprised" He shook his head sadly and modulated his voice "I’m so very sorry for your loss Please be assured we did everything we could Unfortunately, based on her medical records, ays kneas a possibility--"

I loweredI hadn’t known it was a possibility I’d never asked anything about Vicki’s h his teeth I had no way of knowing

"Which e had procedures in place to care for her in an e without hesitation If he sensedforward across the desk, he addressed me respectfully, his expression earnest "As is the case with any death of one of our patients, we’ve reported the incident to the authorities, and they will launch their usual investigations I don’t expect theence"

Neither did I Even if there was a proble around this place that I was betting it would be handled discreetly But I wasn’t going to say that It would be rude And while I a rude when the occasion calls for it, I wanted information

"I appreciate your concern I know that Vicki chose Birchwoods because of its stellar reputation"

"Thank you" He gave et you a drink? I’d offer food, but the only guest we’ve ever had with your condition wasn’t able to process solids, so I’m not sure it would be appropriate"

So, the closed drapes were no coincidence Gerry must have called ahead, which also explained the receptionist’s lack of reaction I found it very interesting that they’d dealt with someone with my condition … especially since my condition was supposed to be pretty damned rare I was curious, but he wanted ot to the point of my visit