Chapter 2 - FIRED IN FRONT OF EVERYONE
"Mother is exhausted," Victoria said quickly. "She gets confused when she's upset."
Eleanor struck her wheelchair arm with an open palm.
Once. Then again.
Nathaniel looked at the bruises around her wrist. "Where did those come from?"
"She's been restless," Victoria answered. "Her caregivers have documented it."
"Then why was your hand in the air?" Emma asked.
Victoria turned slowly. "Nobody asked you."
The head caterer, Mr. Bell, appeared beside Emma. "Staff corridor. Now."
"She didn't do anything wrong," Eleanor said, the words uneven but firm.
The room went silent a second time. Victoria had been telling everyone for months that Eleanor could barely form a sentence.
Nathaniel stared at his mother. "You can talk?"
Eleanor's eyes filled. "When... they let me."
Victoria snapped, "That's enough." Then she softened her voice. "Nathaniel, please. Not here."
Emma's phone vibrated inside her apron. ST. CATHERINE'S HOSPITAL flashed on the screen. She couldn't ignore that call.
"Ms. Carter?" a nurse said. "Your father's medication has been changed. Did you authorize a transfer?"
"No. Transfer where?"
The nurse hesitated. "That's what I'm trying to find out."
Mr. Bell pointed at the exit. "You are dismissed. Return the uniform before you leave."
Emma pulled off her name badge. As she turned, Eleanor seized her hand and pressed a small brass key against her palm. A blue thread was tied around its teeth.
Victoria saw it. Her face tightened.
"Give that back," she said.
Nathaniel looked from the key to his mother. "What is it?"
Eleanor pointed toward the upstairs offices. Her lips moved soundlessly.
Emma bent down to hear.
May you like
"Blue... drawer," Eleanor breathed. "Before they empty it."
Behind them, one of the guards was already speaking into his radio.
