Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 137144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
He knew that Paddy would be studying every reaction of the doctor’s, trying to figure out what he knew.
What he was hiding.
“Ahh, Lily. How is she?”
“Not very well.”
Doctor Wallace nodded solemnly. “I imagine not. Please, come with me to my office and we’ll discuss her care in private.”
They followed him into an office that was actually larger than the entire reception area, which showed him that not many people sat and waited to get into the clinic.
Doctor Wallace gestured to a small sitting area and Harvey took a seat on the sofa.
“Can I get either of you a drink? Tea, coffee?”
“No, thanks. We’re fine,” Harvey replied. There was no way that he was taking any substance this man offered him.
“I must start off by saying that I can’t share anything about Lily due to patient-doctor confidentiality. You understand that I’m sure.”
“Of course we do,” Harvey said. “However, I believe I did mention that I’m now her legal guardian. As such, I am privy to any medical information so I can arrange the best care for her.”
“Well, I only have your word for that. I’d need some sort of court order from a judge before I’d pass over any medical records. You do understand, of course, that I could be in a lot of trouble if I broke confidentiality.”
“Of course,” Harvey replied. “We’ll get that court order for you. In the meantime, perhaps you could tell me if there is anything that Lily immediately needs for her care. I don’t want her to suffer in the meantime.”
“Actually, I think the best idea would be for you to bring Lily here. She is rather sick, I’m afraid.”
Hmm. So he wouldn’t tell them anything about her medical needs, but he wanted them to bring her here because she was ill?
Alarm bells were going off at how eager to have her back in the clinic.
“You want me to bring her here when I don’t even know what you do here?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand how you became her guardian? Has something happened to her mother?”
Did he know about Lily’s mother, or was he just pretending to be ignorant? He was quite a good actor, so Harvey wasn’t sure.
“My apologies, I should have explained. You’re obviously not aware that Mrs. St. Clary is currently in quite a lot of trouble with the police.”
“Good God, no. I had no idea,” the doctor said.
“Lily’s unable to look after herself, so I’ve stepped in as a family friend in order to take control of her care.”
Did something flicker in the doctor’s eyes? He was certain that he knew more than he was letting on.
“Most admirable of you, I’m sure. And I’m certain that Mrs. St. Clary will be most happy once she gets this all sorted out.”
“Yes, it’s obviously a complete mix-up,” Paddy said with a smile.
“I am more than happy to keep Lily here until her mother is free and clear of this issue. I won’t even charge for the time that she’s here.”
Now, that was overly generous, wasn’t it? Considering the look of this place, he thought that a one-night stay would be more than most people could afford, and Doctor Wallace was offering to house her indefinitely for free?
Definite alarm bells.
“Does she need that?” Paddy asked.
“Oh, yes, I’m afraid she does. Lily isn’t well. Her mother was taking care of her, of course, which is why I was able to release her. But without her mother’s care, I’m afraid she might just grow more and more sick. She’s days overdue for her checkup. Has she been telling you rather outlandish tales?”
Hmm.
“Outlandish tales? Well, I suppose some of them could be considered that,” Harvey said.
“Yes, that’s what happens with her diagnosis. Hallucinations are not unusual, and I’m afraid that she can become rather violent. I don’t want to alarm you both, but I also think that it’s my duty to warn you. I don’t wish for you to come to any harm, of course, but my main concern is Lily. So if you would like to surrender her to me, I assure you I will take the utmost care to ensure that she gets everything she needs.”
Oh, this guy. He was pure slime.
What the fuck was going on in this place? Why did he want Lily so badly? And how were they going to figure it out?
“How often does she come in for checkups?” Harvey asked.
“Every two weeks. And like I said, she’s several days overdue. I was becoming rather alarmed.”
“She didn’t get any reminders,” Harvey said. “No text messages or emails.”
He actually had no idea about her emails.
“Oh no, her mother took care of all of that. Lily isn’t able to handle that sort of responsibility.”
Jesus, she wasn’t a fucking child.
“So, if you could bring her in, we could take her immediately.”
“Most accommodating of you,” Paddy drawled.