Chapter 8 — The Rehearsed Concern

My wife, he said, had been struggling for months with severe work-related anxiety, even paranoia.

A colleague at his clinic had recommended a gentle, all-natural herbal supplement to help her relax — that was all that was in the tea.

“Marnie’s been increasingly fragile lately,” he said, in a tone of patient sorrow.

“My stepson overheard a private conversation, misread it completely, and panicked.”

Blanca dabbed at her eyes.