Chapter 21
Hayden jumped in, “All accounted for, and I’ve gone through every one. Could it be something’s wrong with the medicines?”
Zina gave a nod. “Right. Nothing wrong with the medicines themselves, but that doesn’t guarantee the ones Mr. Carter actually took were clean.”
“Are you saying someone swapped out the medicines?” Kellan said coldly as the pieces clicked into place.
“You might have got used to it after being here so long.” Zina explained, “This acrid and pungent smell lingers in the air- faint, but definitely there.”
As Zina spoke, Hayden caught that smell too. His brows knitted tightly together in concentration.
Hayden rummaged through the trash for a solid half minute. When he straightened up, he was holding a tiny medicine bottle which was about to shatter into a million pieces. His expression darkened. “Is this it?”
Zina took the thing from Hayden, held it up, and gave it a gingerly sniff. “Got it in one.” she replied.
Zina turned to Kellan, “This stuff is dangerous for Mr. Carter. The medicines I left should have held him over till my follow- up visit. So since something’s off, Kellan, you might wanna have a look around at who’s close to him.”
“No need. I know who it was.” Kellan’s voice was heavy and glacial. His eyes shut tight and his fingers curled into fists at his sides, knuckles going white.
“It’s Kyle.”
For a heartbeat, Hayden froze solid. Beside him, even Zina’s composure cracked with a flicker of surprise in the lift of an eyebrow.
Zina looked down at the old man lying unconscious on the bed, mixed feelings stirring within her. ‘Your family’s even more of a mess than I imagined. she thought.
Kellan’s voice cut through the heavy silence, “Please look at my father. Name your price, and I’ll double it.”
“Keep your money.” Zina shook her head, moving toward the bed. “I’ve got a soft spot for him.”
In one fluid motion, she drew the silver needles from her belt. Then, all her focus narrowing down to the patient before her, she set to work.
At the sight of the silver needles, Kellan’s pupils constricted and his heart missed a beat.
Kellan was pretty sure the woman standing right in front of him was the little girl he remembered. But why was she pretending not to be her?
Kellan knew he had to find a chance to make sure.
Just then, Zina’s voice, filtered through the voice changer, spoke up again, “He’s stable enough now. I’m leaving some meds behind. Take one every three days. Be sure to stick to the schedule, and don’t overdo it.”
After giving her instructions, Zina looked up, only to meet Hayden’s puppy–dog eyes fixed on her.
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Chapter 21
Zina could only roll her eyes. She thought, I’d love to slap some sense into him. How can he not take this seriously? It’s a freaking life–and–death situation.”
Hayden seemed to sense he’d been way too obvious. He quickly blinked, putting on a humble act, and asked, “Doctor, those moves were slick! Honestly, how many years did that take to master?
“Any chance you’d take on a student? I’ve got a pretty decent hand for this stuff, if I do say so myself. Maybe I could show you what I can do? Or how about you test me?
“If I were to become your student, is there like… a ceremony or something?”
“Stop.” Zina cut him off, her head pounding from the chatter, “I’m not taking any students. Not now, not ever. You should really look elsewhere.”
Zina scrambled back like Hayden was carrying the plague, putting some distance between them. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Seeing Zina off guard for a split second, Kellan seized the moment. He darted forward, and this time, he finally touched her Bauta Mask.
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