Chapter 4 - WHAT WAS IN HIS BLOOD
Dean snatched the report from Massimo’s hand.
“This doesn’t prove anything.”
“It proves it’s in me.”
“It proves you take medication.”
Massimo looked at Marco. “Get me a toxicologist who doesn’t know Hale, doesn’t know my family, and doesn’t know enough to be afraid of me.”
Marco nodded and left.
Camille stood at the window with her arms folded. “Massimo, if Hale prescribed it, there may be a reason.”
“Then he can explain the reason.”
“He’s kept you alive for six months.”
“No. The trauma team kept me alive. Hale took over afterward.”
Dean tossed the report onto the table. “You’re turning one weird lab result into a conspiracy.”
Massimo stared at him. “You know what I learned before I was old enough to drive?”
Dean sighed. “Here we go.”
“If three people tell you a door is locked, check the handle yourself.”
Nina, sitting on the rug with crayons, looked up. “Doors lie?”
Massimo’s mouth twitched. “People do.”
Carla gave him a worried look.
“You saw Hale’s face yesterday,” he said.
Carla stopped pushing.
“I’m your housekeeper, Mr. Rinaldi.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Her hands tightened on the chair. “Yes.”
“What did you think?”
“That he was scared.”
“Of the pill?”
“Of you seeing it.”
Massimo turned his head. “Anything else?”
Carla hesitated.
“Say it.”
“About a month ago, I came into the breakfast room early. Dr. Hale was there with your morning tray.”
“So?”
“He was stirring something into your orange juice.”
Massimo’s face hardened.
“He said it was a vitamin powder. I didn’t question him.”
“Why not?”
Her eyes flashed. “Because men in this house carry guns, Mr. Rinaldi. Because I have a three-year-old daughter. Because people like me learn the difference between noticing something and surviving it.”
That shut him up.
From behind a hedge, Nina called, “Mommy! Look!”
They turned.
She had found a ladybug.
That evening, Dr. Hale arrived with two guards at his back.
Massimo placed the lab report on the desk between them.
Hale read it.
His shoulders sank.
“Who told you to give it to me?” Massimo asked.
Hale’s lips parted.
May you like
Before he could answer, the library windows shattered.
Gunfire ripped through the room.
