Terminal Treatment (Eden Mercer K-9 Mystery Thriller Book 6) by Paige Black

Author:Paige Black [Black, Paige]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

After more training, it’s lunchtime. I pause in the doorway of the staff dining room, balancing my tray of butternut squash soup and Caesar salad. The space is impressive—it must have been the mansion’s formal dining room back in its glory days. Midday sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows, making the crystal chandelier throw colorful prisms across pressed white tablecloths. Someone’s made an attempt at modernizing with standard cafeteria tables, but there’s no hiding the ornate crown molding or the elaborate fireplace with its carved marble mantel.

Small groups of nurses and counselors occupy most tables, chatting over their lunches. I hover uncertainly, like the new girl at school all over again. This awkward outsider status has become all too familiar since, after escaping the cult, I transferred straight into Nightfall’s public high school. That was quite the culture shock, and with little to no social skills, I usually found myself eating alone.

Dr. Nash catches my eye from her corner table and waves me over, her gold bracelet glinting in the light. My stomach tightens, but before I can even think about accepting her invitation, my gaze automatically shifts to where Marcy sits with the nursing staff. She’s monitoring the interaction, her usual bright smile replaced with something more brittle. A warning. I already know Marcy’s opinion of Nash, and I don’t want to cause a stir in the office politics.

However, despite her unnerving scrutiny, getting closer to the head psychiatrist could help my investigation.

I paste on my friendliest smile and weave between the tables of chattering staff, trying to project confidence. One wrong word with Nash and my cover could be blown wide open. Adding to the pressure, Marcy’s hot glare bores into my back.

“Join me,” Nash says, gesturing to the empty chair across from her. Her tone makes it clear it’s not really a request.

I set my tray down carefully, tense as if I’m about to play chess with a grandmaster.

“How are you settling in?” she asks, stirring her tea. The silver spoon makes tiny musical clinks against the china.

“Pretty well, I think. Still learning my way around.” I scoop a spoonful of soup, hoping my hand isn’t shaking. “The computer system is more complex than the one I used at my previous job, and the place itself is a maze.”

“These old houses have their quirks.” Nash’s honey-colored eyes track my movements with unnerving focus. “Though I hear you’re catching on quickly.”

“That’s good.” I examine her expression for hidden undercurrents, but she smiles politely. Who’s she been talking to about me?

“No more run-ins with Jamie, I hope?” She sips from her cup.

I shake my head. “No, thank goodness.”

She leans forward and lowers her voice. “Good. If you ever have trouble with him again, you can come to me. We ladies have to stick together.”

I thank her, though I’m not entirely sure what she means by that.

There are a few moments of quiet as I sip at my soup, filled by the low chatter of our colleagues. Dr. Nash ends it by tipping her head to the side.

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