Daniel watched the redheaded woman push the heavy glass door open and disappear. The big man was shaking, and sweat glistened at his temples. Everyone was staring at him. Daniel, parents, children, the medical staff.
Daniel placed a hand on Teddy’s shoulder. “You okay, Ted?”
The big man’s eyes stayed locked on the front door.
“Who was she?”
“A piranha,” he spat. Teddy’s eyes flitted to his. They were full of accusation. “She was looking for you. Have you been talking to the media, Dan?”
Daniel remembered the messages he’d received from the medical journalist. Had it been the same woman? “No. Someone left me a couple of messages, but I haven’t responded.”
Teddy clenched his jaw. “What was her name?”
“Gail something or other.”
“That was her,” Teddy said. “Whatever you do, don’t talk to her. And if you hear from her again, let me know.”
He walked past Daniel and bumped his shoulder hard.
Later that afternoon, Daniel peered into Margy’s office and found her working on her computer.
“Got a second?” Daniel asked.
Margy waved him in. He shut the door behind him and sat down in the chair across from her.
“Do you know if the parents of any of our patients have complained about their kids experiencing severe adverse reactions after Respira?”
Her smile faded. She folded her arms over her chest. “Why do you ask?”
“Just curious,” he said.
She stared at him for a moment, then glanced past him to make sure the door was shut. “Yes, some have.”
“Have there been many?”
“If when you say many, you mean too many, the answer is yes.”
“Does Teddy know about these complaints?”
“Of course. He knows about everything that goes on around here.”
“Can you give me the exact number?”
She looked hesitant.
“Whatever you tell me won’t get back to Teddy. You have my word.”
“I don’t know off the top of my head. But I can find out.”
“Thanks, Margy.”
She nodded.
At her office door, he turned. “Also, are you familiar with the VAERS database?”
Margy nodded. “Yes, a little.”
“Do you know if any of the reports have been filed with VAERS?”
“I doubt it, but let me check. Give me an hour, and I’ll get you that information, too.”
An hour later, Daniel took advantage of a patient cancellation and stole away to his office to do some research on Christian Davis. Finding his Facebook page was easy. The guy was apparently very active on social media.
He was good-looking and young. Late twenties? Midtwenties? He thought about the young server who had placed his hands on Mia’s shoulders the night he and Billy were at Jiminy’s. He had been young, too.
He clicked through the guy’s photographs. He was in immaculate shape, and his stomach looked like a rock. The guy probably spent most of his waking life in the gym. Watched everything he ate. Unlike Daniel lately, he probably never skipped a run.
Most of his pictures were of him at the gym, going to the gym, or leaving the gym. All his posts were equally inane: Getting pumped up! or Feeling the burn! How could Mia have fallen for a gym jock like this? She was smarter than that.
Where had they even met? He remembered her talking about a yoga class she’d been going to, but this guy didn’t look like he’d be into yoga. Plus, he’d assumed she was taking yoga someplace close. Why go way out to the valley? Was it possible they’d known each other before Daniel and Mia had even gotten married?
There was a soft knock on the door. He quickly minimized his browser. “Come in,” he called.
It was Margy. She walked up to his desk and handed him a sticky note with the number 36 written on it.
Daniel stared at the number.
“Only one report was filed with VAERS,” she said quietly. “The one you filed for Suzie Jacobs.”
Daniel nodded. “What were these complaints for?”
She pointed at the sticky note. “Turn it over.” He did and saw that on the other side she’d printed the words seizures, migraine headaches, changes in personality, motor regression, sleep apnea.
“Why weren’t more reports filed with VAERS?” he asked.
“Our practice has never reported to VAERS. And in case you don’t already know, Teddy’s outright discouraging it for this drug.”
“And everyone’s just been going along with it?”
Margy looked pointedly at him. “Well, yes. We all need our jobs, Dr. Winters.”
CHAPTER 34
RACHEL
SUZIE STILL WASN’T well. Rachel glanced at the clock on the wall. She had one more hour. One more hour, then she would break it to her boss that this was going to be her last day, and she was going to beg for him to cut her a check. He owed her for Monday through Wednesday of last week plus today. The four days of work would give her enough money to rent a U-Haul and drive to Minnesota. She’d have to figure out everything else once she got there.
Originally, she’d planned to finish out the full week. But just being away from Suzie for almost eight hours so far today was killing her. She didn’t want Suzie out of her sight again until she was back to her old self.
Sunlight streamed in through the window next to her, stinging her eyes. She hadn’t gotten much sleep the last several days and probably wouldn’t until Minnesota.
But that was okay.
That’s what the Adderall in her pocket was for.
She thought about her meeting with Gail. The woman took down her story but warned Rachel that she wouldn’t be believed by most who read it. At least not at first. It would take a lot more parents telling the same stories over and over for a long period of time and for more doctors to go public before she would really be heard. When she asked why people would find it so hard to believe that her little girl had gotten injured from Respira, Gail had said because it challenged people’s belief systems to think that anything their doctors might have encouraged them to do could be so dangerous. That people like her were simply written off . . . at first.
She’d just finished typing a memo for Jeff and was saving the file when her cell phone rang.
She looked at the screen. It was Martha.
Oh, my God.
Was it Suzie?
Her fingers trembled as she picked up the phone. “Is everything okay?” she asked into the receiver.
There was silence on the other end.
Rachel’s pulse pounded in her ears. “Martha?”
She heard sobs from the other end of the line. Then it sounded as though Martha was trying to say something but couldn’t get it out.
Goose bumps broke out along Rachel’s arms. “What? What did you say?” she asked.
More sobbing sounds.
“You’re scaring me, Martha. Tell me what’s going on!”
Martha’s voice was small, quiet. “I kept trying to get up the courage to . . . to call. I’m so sorry.”
She had to be dreaming. There was no way this was real. No way. Rachel pinched her forearm, and pain seared up her arm.
“What’s going on? Where’s Suzie?”
“She just stopped breathing in her sleep. I don’t know why,” Martha said. “I told the police where you work. They should be there soon. I’m so sorry, Rachel.”
The double doors to the emergency room flew open, and Rachel rushed into the hospital, leaving her car sitting halfway on the curb behind her, the engine still running.
She hurried to the reception desk. “My daughter! Where is she?”
The heavyset woman behind the desk looked up from her glasses, and her brow furrowed. She said calmly, “I’m going to need more than that, hon.”
When Rachel told her who she was and that she was there to see Suzie, the woman’s features softened. She told Rachel to take a sea
t; then she picked up the phone and spoke quietly into the receiver.
Rachel was too nervous to sit. She paced across the room for what seemed like forever, replaying the awful phone call from Martha.
A doctor walked in from behind the reception counter. “Ms. Jacobs?”
“Yes,” Rachel said, out of breath, and hurried to him. “Where’s my baby? Where’s Suzie?”
The man introduced himself as Dr. Rowdy. The way he was looking at her made her heart thunder even louder in her chest.
“Where is she?” Rachel asked.
The doctor stepped toward her. “I’m so sorry.”
The air left her lungs. Fear trickled like ice water in her veins as she followed him down the corridor.
CHAPTER 35
DANIEL
DANIEL SAT PARKED across the street from 333 Reseda Lane and stared at the small ranch house. His pulse pounding in his temples, he picked up his phone and pulled up the photos Billy had sent him.
The house was small, in ill repair, and located in a questionable neighborhood. From the looks of the place, the guy didn’t seem to have a lot of money. But Mia was seeing him, anyway. So, what was the deal? Was she with Daniel for the money and with Christian for love? And how long had this been going on?
Mia. Just thinking about her made his blood boil. Was he naive to think it had been good at one time? Magical, even? Had there been signs he hadn’t noticed? Had he done something wrong? Something to drive her into another man’s arms?
His phone dinged. He grabbed it from the passenger seat and looked at the screen. It was Mia. He ignored her message and looked out the window. Darkness was falling fast. The sky was streaked with clouds, and the shadows were getting longer.
He wasn’t leaving until he saw the guy. Although he’d learned plenty from the man’s social media accounts, he wanted to see him in person.
Another ding. Mia again.
I see that you’re reading my messages. Why aren’t you replying? We need to talk.
Yes, we do. But not yet.
Billy had sent him a text message with yet another photo just before lunchtime. Apparently, Mia had visited the guy again just this morning. Unbelievable. He’d thanked Billy and told him there was no reason for him to continue following her.
He tossed the phone back on the passenger seat, popped open the glove compartment, and stared at the flask of whiskey he’d stored. He contemplated taking a swig.
Don’t you dare.
Just two. He desperately needed his thoughts to slow down. To line up in single file. If he kept it to two, he’d still be okay to drive.
He amended his rules yet again.
Three drinks maximum while out.
Three drinks at home.
Two shots while driving.
He reached for the flask, unscrewed the top, and took his first gulp. He winced as the liquid carved a fiery but pleasurable path down his throat. Exhaling loudly, he sank lower in his seat and stared at the house again.
What did Mia see in Christian, anyway? Well, of course, he knew what she saw. A young guy with a flawless physique. He probably had better stamina. Probably never had trouble getting it up in his life. He winced as he remembered the other night when he couldn’t.
She’d spent six hours at the guy’s house.
What did they talk about for six hours?
Or had they talked?
Daniel couldn’t compete with guys like Christian in the age department. Hell, he didn’t want to compete with him. Shouldn’t have to. He shouldn’t have to compete with anybody, dammit. It wasn’t what he signed up for. None of this was.
He’d been right about beautiful women. They were manipulative, and Mia wasn’t any different. She was just very skilled at it. A skilled con artist.
Six hours!
Just thinking about the amount of time made him feel sick. And where had Bruce been when all this was going on? Daniel took swig number two, despite the voice’s protests.
The whole thing had probably just been a setup. She was just trying to get his money somehow. She hadn’t asked for much yet, just $5K, but that had probably been a test. And the friend who was in a bind? No doubt he was staring at the asshole’s house right now.
What exactly was her endgame? God, he was so confused.
And pissed.
He glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror. There was a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead. It was damn hot in the car. As he lowered the window, it began to drizzle.
As he waited for Christian to come out of his house, he replayed the entire relationship with Mia in his mind. Even in hindsight, he couldn’t see the signs. Not until he’d caught her in that lie after her shift at Jiminy’s.
I hate to say I told you so.
Shut the hell up.
You’ve been so naive.
Yes, he had. If he weren’t so angry, he’d be embarrassed right now.
“Shit!” He slammed his fist into the steering wheel.
Kick her to the curb, and apologize to Teddy. You can go back to the way life was before you met the tramp. Your life was so good just a year ago. Remember?
Like it was that easy. Especially now that everything, everything, was crumbling down all around him.
Listen. All you have to do is—
“Shut up!” he shouted, slamming his fist against the steering wheel again, the intensity of his voice surprising him. Pain flared in his knuckles and wrist.
The front door to the house swung open, and Christian walked out. Daniel leaned forward to get a good look at him in person. Although it was December, the guy was wearing a sleeveless shirt that showed off his biceps. He had the enviable build of a fitness model. Well-muscled, toned. The kind of physique Daniel had always aspired to have and had fallen just short of.
The guy leaned against his garage, a phone pressed to his ear. He was laughing. Who was he talking to? Was it Mia?
Blood roared in Daniel’s ears.
Want me to make him go away? Billy had asked. Just say the word, man. I do that, too.
Again, he wondered what Billy had meant. It sounded violent—and violence in his book was out of the question.
Or was it?
Maybe the guy had earned it.
He was sleeping with his wife.
His goddamn wife, for Chrissake.
Now you’ve seen him, Daniel, the babysitter in his head said. Go home.
He shook his head. “No,” he said, staring hard at the younger man, his head filling with fantasies of things he’d like to do to the guy. Things that would quickly wipe the smile off his handsome face.
CHAPTER 36
MIA
THAT EVENING, BRUCE ran to the door and whined. Daniel was home.
Mia froze, unsure of how to play her hand.
This morning she’d been convinced Billy had been sitting outside of Christian’s house, but as the day had progressed, she’d become less certain and wondered if she might have just been paranoid. After all, she hadn’t gotten but maybe an hour of sleep again.
The ceramic tile was cool beneath her bare feet as she approached the foyer. Hearing the key slide into the lock, she took a deep breath and tried to center herself. The door opened, and Daniel appeared, the chilly night air rushing in with him.
She wrung her hands together and watched him as he shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on the coatrack. “I made dinner. Earlier. You want me to heat you up a plate?”
“No. Thank you.”
He walked past her without even looking at her.
She’d left the television on for background noise and saw that he was staring at it. On the screen, protesters were chanting and carrying signs outside an office building. A man she recognized was being interviewed.
She stepped closer to the television. “Isn’t that your boss, Teddy?”
Daniel nodded, watching the images on the screen.
“I know these parents are well intentioned,” Teddy was saying into the microphone, “but so muc
h goes into the approval of a drug. I assure you, these drugs are rigorously and painstakingly studied. Even more so because they’re given to children. And it’s not only important that kids get Respira. It’s actually dangerous for them not to. For both the child and our public’s health.”
The camera pulled back to reveal the reporter, an attractive Asian woman in her early twenties dressed in a black suit.
“Is it true that the CDC is thinking of adding Respira to the schedule of required vaccinations for kids to attend school?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s true. Immunoceuticals like Respira will certainly be added. It’s not a question of if but when. And, frankly, it can’t happen soon enough. When a drug like this is available, every child deserves to benefit from it. Whether parents want it or not.”
“Thank you, Dr. Reynolds,” the reporter said. She turned back to the camera and signed off, then the news went to commercial.
“Parents were picketing outside your office today?”
Daniel nodded.
“Sorry. Is that what’s bothering you?” she asked.
Daniel’s face seemed to darken. His eyes bore into hers. “And why would you think something’s bothering me?”
“Because you slept in your office last night. And you didn’t answer my calls or texts.”
If it had been Billy this morning, then Daniel might know about Christian. But if he did, why wasn’t he saying anything? Or maybe Daniel had found out about something else somehow. Something far worse.
Her heart beating wildly, she stepped closer to him, slipped her arms around his waist. “Did you find out anything else about who left those news articles?” she asked, breathing him in. He once again smelled of alcohol. When didn’t he these days?
He peeled her arms away. “No. Not yet.” He mumbled that he was going to his office and headed for the staircase.
“Daniel?” she called.
He turned and looked at her. She recognized the look on his face. Anger. Maybe even hate. Still, she tried. There was so much to lose, and she was scared to lose it. She had to do something to clear the bad energy between them. To help preserve their relationship. She’d do just about anything.
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