Page 87 of Agency

“I… No. No, I don’t. But I have a feeling you’re going to tell me.”

“No, I won’t. Because I don’t know for sure, either. But I do know there’s some. But not twelve a day, because that’s a statistical improbability.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“To let you know that I can tell when someone is lying about the source of their medical question.”

Her words were like a slap on the cheek, or maybe a punch in the boob, and I reeled back a little from how calmly she’d just delivered the delicate swipes.

“So, what are you really saying?” I asked.

“That I’ve seen the look in people’s eyes before they try and run from their problems, Ambyr. And, you’ve got that look right now.”

“I’m not trying to run from anything,” I said. In fact, I had a pretty good idea of where I was going next, and my destination was the exact opposite of running from the organization trying to kill me. All I needed was the money still in my bra, whatever more money I could lift off the guys, and a vehicle that could get me to Montana. Because Montana was exactly where my aunt was.

“I know there’s no running and disappearing from the people trying to kill me.”

She snorted, and the sound was so surprisingly indelicate coming from her that I just had to chuckle too.

“I think you’re misunderstanding me,” she said. “I’m not talking about the people trying to kill you. I’m talking about the three guys who are risking life and limb to protect you, while giving you puppy dog eyes.”

“Only so they can get more information out of me.” Sure, Jericho’s attitude towards me had thawed a little. But I didn’t know if we’d ever repair the damage I’d inflicted. “Technically, I’m their prisoner.”

“Really?” she asked, recoiling a little and reminding me of the fact that Jericho hadn’t exactly filled the doctor in on all the details.

I nodded. “I… Well, I’m not exactly a good person, Doc. And, now, I think I’m paying for it. Lots of bad decisions along the way have led me to this, and I’m in their custody until they figure out what to do with me.”

“I don’t think you are. Not a bad person, that’s for sure. And, from the way they’ve been acting since you four came in, I’m going to say you’re not much of a prisoner in their eyes, either.”

“Sure, Doc…”

“Alice, remember? And let me ask you something: does Jericho seem the type to break protocol and contact me, rather than handing you over to the police? Or leave a prisoner in here alone with her doctor, and a viable hostage if you were going to try and escape?” She shook her head and let out a sigh. “Trust me, I’ve seen this before. I’ve lived it, even.”

“Yeah,” I said. “I know you have.”

“You do?” she asked, then her eyes narrowed and she was slowly nodding as some kind of realization occurred. “Yes, of course you do. Thomas is probably in one of the safe houses with their client, and you four used the other one. Which means, you saw the picture of me, Thomas, and my other two men on the mantel.”

“Yeah,” I said, wincing. After all, I’d just killed a man in their cabin, right after fucking two of her boyfriends’ coworkers in the upstairs guest room. “Sorry.”

She sighed, waved off my apology. “No, it’s okay. That’s part of the reason the cabin’s there, I suppose. I think being a safe haven was one of its primary functions, and I simply benefited from having the occasional getaway. So, use the tool for what it’s intended, I suppose.”

“It’s really a lovely place, by the way.”

She chuckled. “Thanks?” Rolling her eyes, she looked to the X-rays, then back to me. “Regardless, going back to your earlier question. In my professional opinion, you should be able to do whatever you need to physically do after the surgery. As I said, it will be minor, and you’ll just have to apply some ointment I’m going to give you and change out the dressings periodically for the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours, along with some antibiotics to head off risk of infection. Avoid getting the stitches wet for a while, though. Understood?”

“Understood.” Swallowing hard, I looked at her. “I just wanted to let you know, I haven’t decided anything one way or another. But that you’ve definitely given me something to think about.” And that wasn’t a lie. She now had me on the fence.

“Good. Now, regarding my very unprofessional opinion?”

I opened my mouth to cut her off, to tell her I knew her unprofessional opinion, but that I was still going to stand by my decision, whatever that was. But nothing came out when I tried to speak, and so I instead closed my mouth to listen.

“My unprofessional opinion is that you’re a lucky woman, no matter what choices brought you here to this clinic. Those three men do care about you, and if they’re anything like the rest of the men that work for Trinity Security, they’re excellent judges of character. And, despite any choices you made, you are in fact a good person.” She rose from her seat and pushed the roller chair back beneath the desk, before turning and heading for the door. Hand on the door knob, she stopped and turned back to me, saying, “One other thing, Ambyr. Even if you actually are a prisoner, I’m not entirely convinced they’re the ones keeping you that way.”

She went to open the door, but I called for her before she could. She turned back, a questioning eyebrow raised.

“Remember, Dr. Thorne. I’m your patient. We have confidentiality about all this, right?”

She let out a sigh, then nodded. “Unfortunately, yes.”