Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Yeah, I can’t believe it either, but I keep that thought to myself.
“So…” I begin. “Jason has been arrested for the attack on Ralph.”
Tabitha gasps, her hand flying instantly to her mouth.
“Chill,” I tell her. “Act normal.”
“I’ll try.” She darts her gaze around the coffee shop. “How? Why?”
“Ralph named him,” I say. “And before you ask, no, he didn’t do it.”
“Of course he didn’t do it.” She blinks several times, darts her gaze around the coffee shop. “I can’t believe anyone would think he did. Not after that big speech he gave at our first anatomy lab about respecting the cadavers and what they’re doing for us. That’s a man who has a huge respect for life and learning. He’d never harm anyone.” She purses her lips. “At least not like that.”
I nod, glad she agrees, but I can’t help but play devil’s advocate a bit. “Do you really think so?”
Her jaw drops. “Are you telling me you think Jason could have done it?”
“No, I absolutely don’t, but I know him.”
Tabitha raises an eyebrow. “You know him? Do you mean in the biblical sense?”
Shit.
I glance over my shoulder one time and lower my voice. “Yes, Tabitha. I know you’ve figured it out by now. We’re… We’re in love.”
She drops her jaw. “You’re in love?” She sits back in her chair, giggling softly. “I mean, I was pretty sure you were fucking, but I had no idea you were in love!”
“You have to promise not to tell anyone. He could get fired for this.”
She shrugs. “He’s already been placed on leave.” She claps a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. That was so insensitive.”
“Least of my worries right now,” I say. “But I was asking you. As his student, do you think there’s a possibility of Jason hurting Ralph?”
“And I just told you. That man is a born healer. I don’t think he’d hurt anyone on purpose. Not ever.”
“Not even a douchebag like Ralph?” I’m playing devil’s advocate, but I need an honest answer from an impartial person.
“Why would Jason have anything against Ralph? He’s a stu— Oh!” She widens her eyes. “Did you tell Jason how Ralph came onto you?”
I frown. “Yeah.”
Plus Ralph is the one who turned Jason in to HR, but Tabitha may not know that.
“Then this is about you, Ange.”
“It seems to be,” I say. “Jason told me that Ralph told him that he didn’t deserve me. But none of this makes any sense. Ralph barely knows me.”
“Uh…hello?” She knocks a fist against her forehead. “Earth to Angie. He’s after your fortune, Ms. Steel. It’s clear as day.”
“Clear as mud, you mean,” I retort. “My money may well have something to do with it, but why would he be targeting Jason? It’s not like we’re married or anything. In fact, Jason and I only just met. For all Ralph knows, it was just a kiss in the anatomy lab.”
She purses her lips. “That’s not all he knows. He was there that night we had pizza at your place when Jason showed up.”
“So? Jason and I are neighbors.”
“True.”
“Besides, Jason was gone before the guys showed up.”
But I can tell Tabitha isn’t entirely convinced.
And I don’t have the energy to convince her. “Just keep all this to yourself, okay? Please?”
“I already said I would.” She crosses her arms. “Jeez, Ange.”
I hold up a hand. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m just on edge. The Ralph thing and all. Why is he so obsessed with me? Why is he framing Jason to get to me?”
Then a jolt hits me.
I never asked Ralph why. I just told him I wouldn’t fuck him in his hospital room, which was creepy and gross. But in truth I wouldn’t fuck him anywhere. I rebuffed him that first night at my place.
I finish my coffee and rise. “I’ve got to go, Tabitha. I’m sorry, but I just remembered I have an appointment.”
“A doctor’s appointment?” She raises an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s the dentist, actually. Just my six-month checkup.”
“But we’re supposed to be having class right now. Why would you have scheduled—”
“My insurance is crazy. Have to get my cleanings scheduled at very specific times if I want them covered.”
She wrinkles her forehead. She’s not convinced. But she’s also not going to push it further.
I hate lying. But I can’t have Tabitha coming with me.
I need to take care of this myself.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jason
It starts with my hands. It always starts with my hands.
Steady. Precise. Instruments of salvation.
At least that’s what they were.
Now they shake. Tremble.
Useless.
A surgeon with a dead hand is no surgeon at all.
I may as well be dead too.
But I’m not. Not yet.
The scalpel glints in the overhead light. I know this room, the cold sterility of it, the hum of the machines, the scent of antiseptic. I know this body on the table.