Barbara’s eyes went dark and hollow with a fury that had shed the passive-aggressive mask entirely.

“You useless, arrogant—” Barbara shrieked over the alarms. “You ruin everything. You think you’re so important with your little hospital, but you’re a failure in this house.”

“Barbara, wait, I didn’t—”

She lunged across the island and grabbed the meat tenderizer by its handle.

Instinct kicked in. I raised my left hand, palm out, a reflex to ward off the blow.

She didn’t hesitate. She brought the cast-iron mallet down with everything she had.