Page 7 of Retribution

‘What was she doing there? Why wasn’t she at the KIP house?’ John asks accusingly.

My eyes narrow further. Does he expect us to keep her there under lock and key? Never let her out unless she’s going to class?

‘You told me to keep an eye on her. I was at the club all day, so I brought her with me,’ Shade shrugs.

John snorts and stops a nurse as she walks by. ‘I’m Dr. John Novelle.’

Her eyes widen and I see Shade’s roll a little.

His father has a doctorate, but he’s not a medical professional. People in Richmond know the Novelle name, though.

‘I’m here to see my stepdaughter, Marguerite Novelle. Find me her doctor, would you, sweetheart?’

‘I’ll just get him for you, sir,’ she squeaks out and walks down the hallway quickly.

In record time, an older man in a white coat and holding a clipboard approaches.

‘You’re here about Miss Novelle?’ he asks.

John nods once. ‘I’m her guardian.’

‘Of course. I’m Doctor Redel. I was on shift when your daughter was brought in.’

He eyes me and Shade. ‘Your daughter?—’

‘Stepdaughter,’ John corrects, looking bored.

‘O-of course,’ Redel stutters. ‘Your stepdaughter came in with a traumatic brain injury sustained, I gather, from a gas explosion.’

I side-eye Shade. How many people has he said this to and how are we going to keep the real story under wraps?

‘And?’ John says impatiently. ‘What’s the prognosis?’

The doctor looks surprised. ‘I won’t sugarcoat it, Mr. Novelle. Her brain is swelling. We have her in a medically induced coma for now.’

John huffs. Actually huffs. He doesn’t even feign concern for her.

Fucker.

‘This is all I need with the Bandervilles breathing down my neck to set a date for the wedding. Idiot girl. How long will she be in here?’

‘It’s difficult to say. We’re doing everything we can, but we won’t know more until the swelling goes down. That could be hours, or it could be days.’

‘Fine.’ John turns to Shade with an annoyed expression. ‘I’m flying to Calgary in the morning. Keep me posted.’

Shade glances at the doctor. ‘They won’t even let me in the room, Pop. You need to give them permission to speak to me.’

John looks annoyed, but he turns back to the doctor. ‘Well?’

‘There’s, uh, a form to sign. If you’ll come with me to the desk, the nurses will get this done for you now, sir.’

John makes a show of checking his Rolex and nods, following Redel in haughty silence.

I lean into Shade. ‘Good job. At least we’ll be able to be with her now.’

‘I need to call Sauvage,’ he murmurs back.

‘Why?’