Page 49 (1/2)

Conrad dropped his head into his hands “I constantly relive this surgery I askthe sutures to break? Did I tie the knots too loosely, resulting in the bleed-out? Should I not have used glue to clog the needle holes at all? I just don’t know And I never will”

For the first time, Casey understood the enor To tell hi and useless So she said the only sincere thing she could say “I’m sorry you have to live with this I’ain”

“Don’t be sorry” Conrad raised his head “You’re not dredging up anything that doesn’t haunt me every day As for Nancy and her kids—I don’t knohat to think I used to have an intuitive feel for people I seem to have lost that coave them a quizzical look “Is it time for another payment? I can have it wired directly to your account”

“We’re fine,” Casey assured him “Madeline paid us well” She paused for a o It’s not a particularly comfortable one, but I have to ask it, anyway”

“Go ahead”

“What’s your relationship with Sharon Gilding?”

Conrad looked surprised, as if that was the last question he’d been expecting “Relationship? Do you mean professional or personal?”

“Both”

“Professionally, we respect each other’s expertise Sharon is a brilliant neurosurgeon Yes, I know she’s ery That seeh achiever I can’t fault her for that”

“You didn’t answer the personal part”

“Sharon isn’t my favorite person,” Conrad admitted “She’s cold and self-centered She’s short on coued about that We have different styles”

“But you aren’t or weren’t sleeping together?”

“What?” Conrad’s head shot up “Absolutely not Why would you think that?”

“We weren’t sure Noe are” Casey paused again “What about Ronald Lexington? Was she sleeping with him?”

This time, Conrad squirmed a bit “I don’t think so But I don’t know”