Nicola shook her head in an exaggerated manner. “Doc Tillman is retiring. He and Winnie are packing up their house and moving to Florida to be near their son and his family.”
“What?” Carol Deegan, who was sitting nearby at her desk, lifted from her chair and scurried over to join them. “Surely he’s not closing down the clinic.”
Capri’s face broke into a smile. “No. I bet he’s going to ask Lila to take over.”
Nicola lifted her eyebrows. “That’s the big news. He’s handed over his practice to some guy from Texas. His name is Whit Calloway.”
Capri’s expression hardened. “Are you kidding me?”
Nicola swung her designer purse. “No. The clinic has a new owner.”
Capri didn’t bother to say another word. She turned and bolted out the door.
Minutes later she was at Reva’s office door after ignoring Verna Billingsley’s waving arms and warning that her boss was on the phone. Without bothering to knock, Capri pushed her way inside.
Reva looked up from her Zoom call, surprised.
Capri frantically motioned for her to hang up.
“Look, guys.” She kept her eyes trained on Capri. “Something’s come up. I need to go. I’ll have Verna call you to reschedule.” She pushed a button on her keyboard and the monitor went blank.
“This better be important,” she told Capri.
“Get your purse,” Capri demanded. “We’re heading to Lila’s. And if she’s not there, we’ll find her.”
Worry crossed Reva’s face. “Why? What’s going on?”
Capri quickly filled her in. “I’ll take my truck. You take your car. And call Charlie Grace.”
Lila lived on the outskirts of town in a modest raw wood cabin nestled in pine trees. The covered front porch was adorned with two wicker chairs and pots of fading geraniums and sunflowers. A knit afghan was draped over the back of one of the chairs and an open book and an empty teacup rested on the nearby table.
Capri sprinted up the two steps and pounded on the door. Reva and Charlie Grace were both pulling in at the same time.
As they scrambled from their vehicles, Capri pounded again. She looked back at the girls and shook her head.
Reva stepped around her and pushed open the door. “Lila? Are you in there?”
“Her car’s in the driveway,” Charlie Grace reported. “She must be here.”
Together they marched down the hallway to the door leading into their friend’s bedroom. Reva lightly rapped. “Lila?”
“Go away,” came a muffled answer.
The girls glanced between one another. Capri nodded and Reva turned the knob and gently pushed the door open.
They found Lila face down on the bed.
“Oh, honey,” Reva said and immediately went to her side. She sat on the bed and patted her friend’s back.
Capri parked her hands on her hips. “So, it’s true then. Doc Tillman should be strung up and?—”
Charlie Grace frowned at her. “Not helpful.” She moved to the other side of the bed and sat next to her friend. “We’re here for you, Lila.”
Capri nearly growled. “I’ll be back later.”
Reva and Charlie Grace turned their attention her direction. “Where are you going?” Reva asked.
“To take care of some business.”
