The brass door handle turned, and the door swung open again.

Sylvia walked straight into the room, her heavy leather handbag clamped under her elbow and her velvet coat draped over her forearm.

“The girl at the desk was busy typing on her computer, so I just walked right past her,” Sylvia said.

She smiled, a wide, smooth expression that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Look at this sweet angel,” Sylvia said, stepping toward the exam table.

“Rachel, you look completely drained.