“Bethany don’t blame you. Drew shared what you told him. He doesn’t believe that you wrote those prescriptions. Not after the erased pharmacy video or the death of that pharmacy technician,” Molson explained. “She knows that you weren’t involved.”
“Then why won’t she return my calls?” Holly wondered. “Why did she stop her therapy?”
“She found her answers,” he shrugged. “Beth has also been a bit busy with the investigation as well.”
“She’s personally involved in this case?” Holly asked. “Is that wise?”
“Probably not,” Molson admitted. “However, Drew will keep an eye on her. They’re tied at the hip anyways.”
“They’re involved?” Holly said dampeningly. “That’s not appropriate. He’s investigating a case which she is involved in.”
“Unofficially investigating,” Molson pointed out. “He’s technically not allowed to investigate the case.”
“It’s still not a good idea,” Holly insisted. “She’ll have a hero complex over him. Bethany is very sheltered. Her maturity level isn’t high enough to realize that a relationship that started in the throes of danger is less likely to succeed. The bond that they have together is because of David Ramesly. Once the threat of him is removed from their lives, what will they have in common? What adrenaline of the moment will fade.”
“He’s happy. She’s happy,” Molson’s hands crept out again to cradle her elbows. His fingers tracing her skin.
Impatiently, Holly pushed his hands away. “It’s too quick. Didn’t you say that he was thinking of proposing to her?”
“Drew already did,” Molson admitted. “I haven’t seen a ring yet, but I’m sure he was serious.”
“It’s not going to work,” Holly grabbed a sweater from the closet and put it on, her mind lingering on his touch. Part of her consciously knew she had put on the sweater as another barrier against the man in front of her. “It’s too quick. Too impulsive.”
“Maybe it will work,” Molson folded his arms across his chest. “Who are you to say otherwise. In fact, I call in my payment for my first favor right now.”
Holly looked at him nervously, wondering what he would want. She didn’t know him that well. It had probably been a foolish bargain that she’d made, promising him favors. “What do you want?”
“When you see Bethany again, you don’t get to disparage her relationship with my brother. You don’t get to say that it won’t work. You don’t get to admit your doubts,” Molson stated.
“Fine,” Holly agreed reluctantly. It was an easy thing to do since Bethany hadn’t returned her calls. She’d given up on getting an answer. Holly was disappointed because she genuinely liked Bethany and wanted to help her.
She was also surprised at Molson’s request. It showed a remarkable loyalty to his brother, a quality that he downplayed.
“Good,” Molson nodded. “She’s willing to see you when you got time.”
“What?” Holly was stunned. She hadn’t expected to see Bethany again. “You asked her to see me?”
“I said you had some unresolved questions,” he shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. He pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket, offering it to Holly. “This is her new phone number. Beth says she’ll talk to you as a friend. I think she’s through with therapy.”
Holly took the piece of paper. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
Molson shrugged. “It’s not anything special.”
“It is to me,” Holly realized she was speaking the truth. She wanted to speak to Bethany again. Not just because she was concerned for her welfare as her previous doctor. Holly also wanted to reconnect with Bethany, perhaps this time as simply a friend.
“Ma, I’m home!” Molson shouted to be heard over the radio. He unloaded a bag of groceries on the table and put a hamper of clean laundry on a chair. “Ma?”
Sighing, he went to the empty living room, shutting off the radio. “Ma?”
He was maybe a half hour late. Then again, Margot could get into a lot of trouble in a half hour depending on her mood. Molson grimaced and pulled out his cellphone. Maybe she was still at the neighbor’s house.
“Hey Clemmy. Is Ma still with you?” he asked.
“Don’t you ‘hey Clemmy’ me,” a stern voice said in his ear. “She threw a shoe at me today.”
“Did it hit you?” Molson rubbed the side of his face. “I found her pills again. I promise I will make her take them and she’ll be in a better mood tomorrow.”
“Missed by a mile. Still scared the stuffing out of me. If she does that one more time, you can find someone else to look after her,” Clemmy warned. “I’m getting too old for this.”
