Page 50 of The Savage

The moment the door shuts behind her, I grab my phone again and open the encrypted line.

Renzo

Madre Superiora. I want everything you have on her. I want her questioned. Hard.

A few seconds later, the reply pings in.

Nightowl

Hard questioning? Sounds like blasphemy, racer boy. You sure you’re not confusing your vengeance with your foreplay?

I grit my teeth.

Renzo

You’re in a chatty mood. I’m not. I want answers, not commentary.

Nightowl

Oh, come on. She raised your little angel, didn’t she? Gave her a new name, taught her how to pray, how to forget? Maybe she did you a favour. I mean, you didn’t really want a killer in your bed, did you?

I stare at the message until my jaw aches from clenching.

Renzo

Help me. Or don’t. I’m not into edging.

A few dots blink, vanish, blink again.

Nightowl

Tempted to test that theory. But I’ve got a soft spot for lost causes. Nun’s keeper incoming. Just remember… wrong threads pulled brings the whole damn tapestry down.

I kill the chat before I’m tempted to put my fist through the screen.

When I look up, the older doctor is standing in the doorway, clutching a clipboard like a shield. His face pales when I crook a finger at him.

‘How’s our patient?’ I ask, meaning her.

He swallows. ‘She’s almost done.’

‘Good, and her tests?’

‘We’re scheduling an MRI and a cognitive test this afternoon. But this morning, we’ll start simple and gentle, just visual prompts and associative memory work. Nothing invasive.’

‘How much can I tell her?’

‘Enough to keep her calm.’ He shifts, uncomfortable. ‘If you push too hard, it could trigger neurological shutdown or false recall. That would… complicate recovery.’

I drag a hand down my face. ‘So I’m supposed to watch her drown while pretending she’s fine.’

‘I’m saying, Signore,’ the doctor says cautiously, ‘take it easy.’

‘Not my strong suit.’

He half-smiles, nervous. ‘Then perhaps it’s time to learn.’

I dismiss him with a flick of my hand, and he flees, no doubt grateful to still be breathing.