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Alice glances behind her at the closed door. ‘She told me she slipped and hit her head.’
‘Yes, that’s what it looks like – a small gash brought on by striking the corner of a piece of furniture.’ The doctor checks the chart in her hands. ‘We numbed the area with a small shot of lidocaine, then cleaned and stitched the wound. It probably only needed five to eight stitches, as it wasn’t a large laceration—’ she shrugs ‘—but I did twelve as the injury is in such a visible area. It shouldn’t scar too badly.’
Alice bites her lip, probably only just realizing that Mary will be marked by this permanently. ‘Thank you.’
The doctor shifts on her feet, as if debating the best way to say something.
Picking up on the doctor’s change, Alice’s hands twist together.
‘It was noted that the socks Mary was wearing when she arrived smelled of alcohol.’ Dr. Frost clears her throat. ‘As did the mother.’
Alice’s hands drop to her side.
So much for the spilled water story.
‘Because of this,’ the doctor continues, ‘and Miss Rogers’ disappearance, the police have been notified.’
Alice sways. I rest my hands on her shoulders to keep her steady.
‘I’m sure they’ll be in contact with you soon, seeing as you’re her sister.’
Alice makes a strangled noise.
‘But the good news is that Mary seems fine.’ The doctor’s voice turns soothing. ‘Though, since she hit her head and we don’t know the exact circumstances, I’d like to order a CAT scan.’ She holds up her hands as if to ward off any concerns. ‘Just to be safe. And then she’ll be good to go.’
Alice nods a few times as if lost in thought.
‘I’m on call until noon.’ Dr Frost slips the clipboard under her arm. ‘I’ll make sure to come back with the CT results before I go.’
When Alice doesn’t respond, I speak up. ‘Thank you, Doctor.’ Then, hands still on her shoulders, I guide Alice back into the room where Mary’s coloring pink clouds.
One look at her aunt and Mary averts her eyes to me. ‘Can we color now?’
‘Hmm?’ The question jars Alice out of her thoughts, and she glances at me, as if just remembering I’m here. ‘Oh, no.’ She steps forward, my hands falling from her shoulders. ‘We can’t bother Mr Moore anymore than we already have.’
Mary’s expression falls, her pout niggling at my conscience, her pink clouds and blue hearts making my good eye twitch.
Still, I don’t refute Alice’s words. Despite not wanting to subject myself to color anarchy, I am bothered. By my eye, the cheap gold ring in my pocket and my current life situation. All things that tie me to Alice. A woman who has done nothing but herald chaos into my precise and predictable world.
I nod once in farewell before stepping toward the door.
‘Thank you.’ Alice’s voice gives me pause and I look back from just outside the hospital room door.
She’s pale and appears so much smaller than usual in my white T-shirt that’s nearly sliding off her shoulder. Her expression exudes exhaustion and a sadness tinged with hope matched by the dark-haired little girl beside her in a white and blue checked hospital gown.
I stop myself from offering to help. To take control of the situation. I need to draw a line.
I’m her boss. Alice is my employee. The girl, her relative, not mine.
Not only is there no need for me to be here, I shouldn’t be here. Be anywhere near Alice Truman unless it’s absolutely necessary and 100 percent work related. With that in mind, I nod and exit the room, pulling out my phone to warn my overly paid lawyer on my imminent arrival.
* * *
Alice
‘Should we wake her?’
‘I would, the police are here.’
