“You were there,” Paul said. “You saw what Brenner did.”

“Vance is trying to frame this as Ethan paying off a mistress to bury a scandal,” Paul added.

“That is disgusting,” I said.

“If you can tell them the truth about the eviction, we might buy some time,” Paul said.

I looked back at Lauren, who had dropped her crayon.

She was staring at her mother’s quiet face.

“I can’t leave her alone,” I said.

“I will have hospital security watch the room,” Dr. Rao said, standing behind me.

I hadn’t realized she had followed me into the hallway.

“Go,” Dr. Rao said gently. “I will make sure nobody enters this room but me.”

I looked at the doctor, seeing the fierce protection in her eyes.

“Thank you,” I said.

I went back inside and knelt by Lauren’s chair.

“I have to go help your daddy for a little while,” I said.

“Will you come back?” she asked.

“I always come back,” I said, kissing her forehead.

I grabbed my heavy winter coat and wool scarf.

Ten minutes later, I was standing on the curb outside St. Anne’s.