Chapter 10: The Holiday Party

Claire's POV

Doran found me in the NICU family room at six in the morning, with my pump bag in my lap.

He still wore his uniform, and he had not slept.

"I need to tell you something," he said. "I can't tell you all of it."

"Okay."

"I can't talk about anyone I treat. That's the law, and it's a good law."

"I know."

"But I can tell you that the county keeps a public log of every address an ambulance goes to."

He kept his voice low.

"Anyone can ask for the log for one address. Yours is a white house on Maple Run Drive."

I looked at him.

"Why would I need that?"

"I went to that house last night, and I'd like you to see how many other times we have."

I understood him slowly.

"Brandy called an ambulance to my house."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

"Last night your husband told me he'd have my certification."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'm not afraid of him. I'm telling you so you're not surprised when he comes at you."

"He already has."

"Then you should be ready."

He stood to go, and stopped at the door.

"Claire, your husband told me he knew exactly who I was."

"Did he."

"Yeah. I thought you should hear it from me."

After he left, I sat there for a long while with the pump bag in my lap.

Then I called Zelda and told her I needed a dress.

"What kind of dress?" she said.

"One that fits over staples. And I need to know where Dean's company holds its New Year party."

"It's tonight. At the Parkside Hotel, in the ballroom. Everyone at my school got a flyer because he sponsors the book fair."

"What time?"

"Eight."

"Good."

"Claire." Her voice dropped. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to ask a question."

At eight-fifteen, Zelda pulled up in front of the Parkside Hotel.

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