“We need to talk,” Vance said. “Now.”

“There is nothing to discuss,” Ethan said, his fists clenching at his sides. “Get out of my way, Richard.”

“Your board of directors disagrees,” Vance replied.

He gestured to the quiet corner near the vending machines, away from the nurses’ station.

“Either we talk there, or we talk in front of the television cameras currently waiting outside the main entrance,” Vance said.

Ethan’s jaw tightened so hard I heard the joint click.

He looked down at me, his eyes dark with a mixture of anger and helplessness.

“Evelyn, stay with the doctor,” Ethan whispered.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said.

Ethan followed Vance to the alcove, the younger man with the briefcase standing guard a few paces back.

I wanted to follow them, but Dr. Rao touched my arm.

“Who are these people, Evelyn?” she asked, her voice low.

“Trouble,” I said, watching the three men. “How is Mary?”

Dr. Rao looked down at her clipboard, her face clouding over.

“Her vitals are fluctuating,” she said. “The infection in her lungs is putting too much strain on her heart.”