Page 108 of The Murder Club

“Hey, girlfriend.”

Spinning around, Bailey released a shaky breath of relief as she caught sight of the dark-haired woman dressed in scrubs. She hadn’t seen her friend since their night out over a week earlier.

“Oh . . . hi, Kari.”

“Where have you been? I was afraid you’d left Pike.”

“Nope, I’m still hanging around.”

Bailey kept her voice light. She adored Kari, but the older woman was incurably nosy. If she suspected Bailey was hiding something, she wouldn’t stop digging until she found out what it was.

“It’s time for another girls’ night out.”

“Agreed. How are you?”

Kari stuck out her tongue. “Overworked and underpaid.”

“The same as always then?”

“Yep, except I miss your face.” Kari glanced toward the central desk where a middle-aged woman with short, bleached-blond hair and a crisp white jacket was surveying the dining room with a pinched expression. “The nurse they hired to replace you might be qualified for the job, but she has the personality of a turnip. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile.” Kari leaned in, lowering her voice. “You didn’t hear this from me, but the staff is about to revolt.”

Bailey had to admit she did look like a sourpuss. Still, being competent at her job was more important than her personality.

“I’m sure she’s not that bad,” she protested.

Kari rolled her eyes. “She’s the worst. Thank God she’s just a placeholder. When are you coming back?”

“I don’t think I am,” Bailey said without hesitation.

Just walking through the doors made her feel nauseous. She would always love the residents, but the place had been tainted by Logan Donaldson, along with Eric. It would never be the same.

Kari’s eyes widened. Bailey understood her friend’s surprise. Everyone assumed she would spend the rest of her life working at the nursing home. Including Bailey.

“Do you have a new job?” Kari asked.

Bailey shrugged. “Not yet, but I’m sure something will come along.”

Kari’s dismay was slowly replaced with a mischievous smile. “Ah. Does that ‘something coming along’ have the name of Dom Lucier?”

“Perhaps,” Bailey admitted. It felt oddly wonderful to openly admit her relationship with Dom.

As if it made it real.

Kari smiled. “Lucky you.”

“Yeah.” A flush of pleasure touched her cheeks. “I really am.”

“Have you told the Donaldsons that you’re not coming back?”

Bailey struggled to hide her contempt. “I haven’t formally handed in my notice, but they know it’s a possibility.”

Kari snorted. “That must be why they didn’t show up for church. They know you’re the reason this place runs so smoothly. They’ll be lost without you.”

Bailey froze, a niggle of unease inching down her spine. “The Donaldsons weren’t at church?”

“Nope. First time I can remember them missing. . . .” Kari thought for a moment before shaking her head. “Actually, I don’t remember them ever missing. Not in the almost thirty years I’ve been going to that church.”

That was exactly what was troubling Bailey. Any normal person missing church wouldn’t be a big deal. But the Donaldsons?