I showed up at the hospital to surprise my husband during his shift. But the second one of his coworkers saw me, all the color left his face. Then his eyes filled with tears. “He hasn’t said a word to you, has he?” Ben and I had been married eleven years, and for every one of those years, I had shared him with the hospital. He was a remarkably gifted surgeon.

When I told him about Walsh’s bribe attempt and Evelyn’s hidden note, the seasoned attorney went quiet for a moment.

“Mrs.

Carter, I’ve waited years for a chance to take down an arrogant department chief like Walsh, and I’ll represent Brian without charging you a cent.”

At five minutes to nine, I walked into the Daily Roast on Oak Street and looked over the quiet booths.

Evelyn Walsh was sitting at a hidden corner table in dark sunglasses and a heavy coat, even though the room was warm.

“Twenty-three years,” she said softly the moment I slid into the booth across from her.