Hollow Voices by Corbier Michelle

Author:Corbier, Michelle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Michelle Corbier
Published: 2023-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

24

Chapter 24

At the top of the staircase, I leaned against the wall, panting. My calves throbbed. I trailed behind April and Juanita.

“Why couldn’t we take the stairs?”

“Exercise is good for you.” April smirked.

“Not after cycling twenty miles.”

“That’s what you get for showing off.” She opened the conference room door. Monday’s monthly staff meeting began in five minutes.

Yesterday had been especially charming. I spent most of Saturday in Santa Barbara. April and I cycled around San Marguerite on Sunday. I hadn’t been showing off, just preparing. I needed to get in shape. Besides, Lady adored the outdoors. I hadn’t wanted a dog, but now I couldn’t imagine life without her.

As I sat down, the burner phone bumped against my thigh. Pruitt had left a note on my windshield with his number and a dollar amount. Presumably, payment for his silence. What did he believe I had done?

He required immediate attention. I reconsidered my plans, worried about bringing Lady along. She could also be of assistance but would pose a slight risk.

In the conference room, people surrounded the boxed lunches. Tables were arranged facing each other in a large rectangle. Ken and Marsha stood at the front of the room talking. Carter sat near the front as usual.

Since I didn’t want to smell Ken’s oppressive cologne, I took a seat in the rear. Because of his cologne, I knew he’d been in B wing that morning. In the center of the room, April sat next to another pediatrician. Juanita sat beside me.

The meeting commenced. Ken’s monotone voice reminded me of the mumbling, unseen adults in the Peanut’s cartoons.

Uninterested, my mind drifted. Once, I shared with Jean how when bored, I plotted crimes. Considered the details, measured risks, and assessed potential consequences. It helped pass the time while engaging my mind. Jean would laugh, saying I’d be a good criminal because I maintained laser focus under stressful conditions. It had been a delightful, indulgent sin. But had it ever been more?

Dr. Griffith suggested I had criminal, murderous urges. Had fantasy ever become reality?

There had been a time when I considered taking that ultimate step. When I gazed down at Evens’ broken body and when the district attorney explained Mrs. Copeland’s history of multiple DUIs, I carefully plotted how to remove the woman who destroyed my life. But I didn’t. I mean…I saw a body, but it hadn’t been where I intended. It didn’t fit with my meticulously coordinated schedule.

And it looked wrong. The hair and face. An afro. No, Evens wore his hair cut close. Thaddeus had fine hair in braids. And this hair was blond. Mrs. Copeland?

“Any questions?” Ken asked.

Snapped to the present, I observed people raising their hands, including April. Ken called on each person except her. As he returned to his presentation, April’s hand lowered.

“Ken, you forgot someone,” I interjected.

April’s hand shot up.

Without saying her name, Ken looked in her direction. “Well?”

“Are you going to address scheduling?”

“I already did.” He returned to the whiteboard.

“Not specifically. I’m finding other providers’ patients on my schedule.

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