He was holding his leather messenger bag over one shoulder, his coat already draped over his arm.

“Her skin is burning,” I said, pulling June up into my arms.

Her skin felt hot enough to scald.

I picked up the Braun thermometer from the changing table, wiped the sensor tip with an alcohol pad, and gently pressed it into her ear canal.

The digital screen loaded for two agonizing seconds.

The display flashed bright red.

The electronic chime sounded four sharp times.

One hundred four point one.