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"Nothing frostbite couldn’t explain"

"You checked-"

"Of course I checked But you’re better at that kind of thing" He shrugged slightly, shoulders hunched "Maybe I don’t knohat to look for Or I didn’t want to find it I was under a little bit of pressure And she’s displayed someunusual effects"

His voice was as dry as sand on that one, and I re him like a basketball Yeah, a little bit of pressure And unusual effects didn’tCherise back froh scan," Marion said "Anything else?"

Lewis raised his head to lock eyes with me for a second, then said, "Yeah, actually I’d like you to test her for the eht," Marion said, and leaned back in her wheelchair Her s "I can feel soh I have no idea e’ll do with two of you"

The clinic was aroad in the hills, and I’d have franklybut a medical facility It looked rustic, but industrial in its square shape Couldn’t have been intended for long-term care, at least, not forsaid, WARDEN HEALTH INSTITUTE, EXTENSION 12 There were four cars in the s lot, and the van made it five as the still-unseen driver pulled in and parked under the whispering shade of a large pine It was cold outside-ed on the -but the overcast sky was breaking up, and the snow had stopped I saisps of blue through the clouds

"Need help?" Lewis asked Marion She shook her head as the rear doors popped open, and the Handi-Lift’s operation was engaged to move her and the wheelchair safely out and down The rest of us disembarked the old-fashioned way The snow here was only a couple of inches deep, andsurface My face stung froain, really war that was ahead of us didn’t seelanced over at Kevin He looked sullen and shaky "It’ll be okay," I said He shot me a filthy look

"Shut up, Pollyanna," he said "In et et fucked"

I shut up Clearly, co

Once Marion’s chair was down and , Leas the one who made sure the path was clear and ice-free on the ramp I didn’t even think about it, and Kevin obviously couldn’t have cared less about doing public service Lewis held the door, too, as Marion’s chair powered inside, and kept holding it for me and Cherise, then Kevin

So Leas the last one inside before the lock engaged behind us I heard the metallic clank and turned, startled; so did Kevin, white-faced with fury Lewis held up a callass with his knuckles "Bullet-resistant glass, too Come on, Kevin, it’s not s out Security’s still high in Warden facilities ide"

Evidently, because there were two ar cheap polyester blazers and expensive shoulder holsters They didn’t look like they were in the ot the instant laser stare I expected Marion and Lewis to dig for credentials, but instead they held up their right hands, palm out I blinked, then hesitantly did the same when even Kevin followed suit I expectedHell, I don’t knohat I expected So, and nothing happened, and after the security guys’ gazes moved from one hand to the next, each in turn, they both nodded and stepped back, letting us have access to another closed door beyond

They blocked Cherise "Hey!" she protested, and looked beseechingly at Lewis "I’m with them! Just ask!"

"Nobody but Wardens in the secured area," one of the guards said

Kevin was looking dangerously angry, but Lewis solved the whole thing by , "She couard looked at Marion, who shrugged "Technically, he’s still the boss," she said "I’d make an exception"

I blinked at Lewis "You’re the boss?"

"Prettystory Believeit We’re working through succession planning"

Lewis held the door open forthe lohine of Marion’s power chair Cherise followed, glancing back at me with mute appeals to stay close This door shut behind us, too This tio ahead ofthat, I leaned back and tried the doorknob

It didn’t open

Who’s being protected here? I wondered And froave my sock another token pull and hurried to catch up

It was a short, narrow hallway, and it had an antiseptic sed, you don’t forget that s you a little unpleasant tingle so ood instinct or bad We passed three closed doors with plastic folder bins on the outside-none of them occupied, apparently, as there were no charts in the bins-and the hallway opened into a large, war area The furniture looked industrial, but coratefully down in a chair when Marion nodded at me Someone in a lab coat ca over so on a clipboard, and looked up to smile at Marion with an impartial welcome "Ma’am," he said, and extended his hand He was a solden tint to his skin "Dr Lee I wasn’t infor in today"

"Unscheduled visit," she said "Hope that isn’t a probleent needs"

"Not at all We have a light caseload today- the fires have been rotated out to other facilities We were strictly serving as triage here I have two Wardens in critical condition who haven’t been moved, back in ICU-Leclerq and Minetti You here to visit?"

"I’ll be happy to drop in," she said "Meanwhile, if you could have a look at the boy, I’d really appreciate your help"

Dr Lee turned his attention to Kevin, and those large, dark eyes widened "I see," he said in a much quieter voice "Your name?"

"Kevin," he snapped, but he directed it toward the carpet

"Would youanywhere with you"

Marion sighed "I see the boy hasn’t changed Kevin, no one is going to hars"

"Don’t worry We wouldn’t waste them on you"

Kevin shot Lewis an utterly , because it was the saave Marion, then o with him?" Cherise asked in a small voice She’d slipped her hand in his "Please?"

"I don’t see why not," Dr Lee said "We’ll see about getting you food as well And soone on his own, but Cherise’s presence gave him an excuse to conforh the door and into what I presumuch