I stood up, holding the babies tighter as the screen was pushed slowly aside.

Dominic slumped in a heavy armchair behind the screen.

His face was the color of damp chalk.

A dark, wet stain soaked through the side of his gray wool sweater.

His eyes were glassy, staring at the floor, but they flickered when the babies let out a soft whimpering sound.

“Dominic,” I whispered, taking a step toward him.

The guard stepped in front of me, his heavy hand resting on the holster at his hip.

“That is close enough,” Leo said.

He picked up the silver fountain pen and held it out toward me.

“Sign the papers, Clara.”

“He needs a hospital,” I said, looking at the sluggish rise and fall of Dominic’s chest.

“He has a doctor,” Leo replied. “Dr. Allderdice is in the next room, waiting for my signal.”

Leo tapped the paper on the desk.

“But the doctor only works if I pay him,” Leo said.

“And I only pay him if you sign.”

I looked down at the twins cradled against my chest.