Chapter 5: The Shower

Ines's POV

The charge nurse caught me at the supply cart at one in the morning and pulled me into the med room by my sleeve.

"I have to tell you something," she said. "Do whatever you want with it."

She shut the door. "Mr. Pollard, in the lounge. I asked if he was your husband."

"What did he say?"

"He said he had no wife at this hospital." She watched me. "I was standing right there. So was Dr. Lyle. So was the resident."

I stood among the shelves of saline and gauze and let it land.

Eight years of marriage, and my husband had stood at my own nurses' station on my own floor and told them I didn't exist.

Then I started to laugh.

I laughed so hard I had to put my hand on the cart.

The nurse watched me, very worried.

"I'm fine," I said, wiping my eyes. "I'm sorry. That's the best news I've had all night."

"It is?" the nurse asked.

"I was afraid I'd feel guilty," I said.

"About what?"

"About whatever comes next." I straightened up. "Don't tell him I'm here."

"Nothing at all?" she asked.

I shook my head. "He asked for the best doctor in the building. He'll get her, and he can find out in his own time."

"He's asked three times who's the attending."

"Tell him she's busy with a patient. It's true."

She gave me a very small smile.

"Dr. Maldonado, I've worked nights with you for six years," she said. "I'd lie to the Pope for you."

I put my hand on her shoulder and squeezed once, because I couldn't say anything.

I walked out of the med room with my face still hot and my chest light.

The call room door was ajar down the hall, and I could see a rim of yellow light along the floor.

Roderick was gone from it.

I found him in the staff locker area at the end of the corridor.

He stood at the open door of a shower stall with a towel over his shoulder.

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