a bit. Okay?â
âAll right.â She nods and opens the door.
âThanks, Julie.â
Samantha isnât sure if she is dizzy from the fainting spell or just furious with Dr. Clay for putting her in such danger. She could have been driving, she thinks. Or crossing the street. Skydiving. Taking a shower. There are always stories in the news about people who die from slipping in the shower.
She sits in her cubicle and rubs the back of her neck with both hands. Julie walks by a second time. The phone rings. It takes Samantha a few moments to realize that itâs Olivia from the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
âIâm sorry. What were you saying?â
âJeez, youâre out of it today. Did you hit your head or something?â Olivia laughs.
âIn a manner of speaking. Whatâs up?â
âI checked with the volunteer office like you asked. The foundation trained eight new people two weeks ago.â
A pause. âHow many women?â
âUmâ¦â She rustles through some papers audibly. âOneâIsabella Harris.â She pauses. âHuh, this is strange.â
âWhat?â
âThereâs a lot of information missing from her application. She hasnât listed any previous employment or experience. Nothing about her educational background. No one to contact in case of an emergencyââ
âWhat about an address?â
âYeah, but no phone number.â
âCan I get that from you?â
âHer address? You know I canâtââ
âOlivia, I really need it.â
She is silent, and Samantha can hear her desk chair squeak from leaning back.
âIâm asking for a favor.â
âHow about dinner and drinks one night next week?â
Olivia has been asking her out since the day they met two years ago.
âSure, anything. Just give me the address.â
âBe careful now. I just might take you at your word.â
Â
Samantha knocks on Julieâs office door, then turns the knob and steps inside. The desk is immaculate, compulsively organized with color-coded stacks of papers and lethally sharpened pencils.
âIâm not feeling so great after all.â
âIâll take you to the hospital, then.â Julie pushes back from the desk and starts to get up.
âNo, thatâs okay. I already have someone coming to pick me up.â
âWho?â
Samantha hesitates. âFrank.â
âFrank?â Julie grimaces.
Samantha hadnât told her that she was talking to Frank again, and she can see the shock in Julieâs face. Julie had watched them steal kisses in darkened movie theaters and hold hands under restaurant tables. She had also watched Sam walk around like a ghost after he left. So sheâd done what any friend would do. Sheâd learned to hate him.
âAre you sure?â Julie says with surprising calm and restraint. âI really donât mind taking you.â
âYeah, Iâm fine. Thanks, though.â She drops her eyes, staring at nothing in particular, then smiles uncomfortably. âIâll call you later today.â
âOkay,â Julie says with a smirk. âJust donât fuck him.â
â Julie! â
Â
Samantha is waiting in the parking lot when Frank pulls up.
âSo whatâs this emergency you couldnât tell me about over the phone?â he asks as she gets into the passenger seat.
âWhat took you so long?â
âI was waiting for those dental records when you called.â He reaches for a manila envelope in the backseat and hands it to her. âWe have a matchâFather Morgan.â
She thinks about the tooth she found at the crime scene and shudders. Holding the clear plastic X-ray up in her right hand, sheâs not sure what she is supposed to see. The black-and-white outline of teeth, some bright with fillings. It crackles with eachbend, like twigs in a fireplace.
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