“The night staff will start an IV line and check her blood counts every four hours.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” I said.

“The admissions desk is processing the paperwork now,” Dr.

Ramirez said, stepping back toward the doorway.

“I’ll be back at seven tomorrow morning to go over her overnight labs.”

Forty-five minutes later, I stepped out into the hospital corridor and found Daniel getting off the visitor elevator.

He wore his navy wool coat over his charcoal business suit, his leather briefcase swinging at his side.

He didn’t ask how Grace was.