“We have to talk about October second.”

Richard let out a heavy sigh and rubbed the back of his neck with the rolled-up magazine.

A little puff of dust drifted down from his collar.

“Ellen, I’ve been dealing with subcontractors all day long.

I don’t have the energy for a medical interrogation.”

I picked up the yellow billing notice and held it out toward him.

“You ignored a final warning from the St.

Jude Clinic,” I said.