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What the hell He’d ht anyithout a sedative, and he didn’t want to take one Jason ht wake up and need him

WHEN CERTAIN JASON was asleep, Kelly slipped her hand froers and tiptoed toward the door where she flipped off the overhead light A slowed dih the s, so the room wouldn’t be totally black if he awoke

As she eased the door shut, Kelly wondered if Jason was afraid of the dark

Carrying a pile of thick towels, Maria waited in the hallway and offered a shy smile “Is Jasonito asleep?” she asked

“For now,” Kelly said, wincing at Maria’s discolored face “You ith hiht?”

Maria’s smile disappeared “Yes We were at the park I tried to stop them, but they—” She raised her hand to her swollen eye “I could not protect him That must be why he is mad at me”

“I don’t think he’s ht now”

Maria glanced at the door “He is sweet boy”

“Yeah, he is,” Kelly said Although damned heavy

“Thank God he is ho him”

“Just doing my job,” Kelly said

At those words, Maria roused herself “Let me show you to your room”

Following Maria down the hall, Kelly thought of her ownthat didn’t happen often lately Was it the way the housekeeper moved? Kelly’s mom had worked as a h to hold a job, that is But never in a grand house like this, Kelly thought bitterly Usually fleabag motels—where she’d turn the occasional trick if the opportunity arose

They entered a large bedrooh the furnishings, including a desk, provided pleasing splashes of dark brown A wooden fra with plu white orchids perched on bedside tables Kelly’s gaze was drawn beyond the flowers to s on either side of the bed and a spectacular view of blue-green water in the distance The Atlantic Ocean