She was about to turn when Scarlett sighed and shifted. Only slightly, but it was enough for her to nudge the laptop and the screen to light up.
Clara frowned at the headline.
One Dead, More Sick, and Authorities Quiet: Unraveling the Mysteries of a Hospital in Crisis.
There it was—the confirmation Clara didn’t really need that Scarlett was looking into the hospital staff. Still, it felt crappy knowing she’d basically been an accomplice in deceiving Malcolm, Deb, Helen, and all their colleagues. And who the heck was Scarlett’s boss? Because they needed to know how she was getting her information.
This afternoon, she’d talk to Scarlett. Tell her that she was going to tell Malcolm what she was doing and ask her to move out.
It was time.Pasttime.
She headed back into her room, had a quick shower, and threw on a comfy, loose blouse and some high-waisted jeans. On her way out to the car, she saw Mildred across the road, gardening.
The older woman waved to her. “Morning.”
“Good morning, Mildred. Not working today?”
“No. I have Sally on. And it’s good to have a morning off to get some gardening done.”
Clara chuckled. Even when the woman wasn’t working in her store, she was still working with flowers. “I’m glad you have someone else in and your shop isn’t closed, because I need some irises.”
Mildred chuckled. “Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret—if I’m ever not there and you’re desperate for flowers, feel free to break in and take some using the spare key. It’s in a fake rock in a hanging potted plant out front.”
“You really think I’m desperate enough for fresh flowers that I’d break into a store? I am. And I’m so glad you know me well enough to realize that.”
Mildred laughed. “Anytime, dear.”
The drive to The Tea House was quick. Thank God, because she needed a sweet tea and she needed it now.
She’d just parked when someone by the entrance caught her attention. Malcolm. He had a phone pressed to his ear, and his hair was unkempt and disheveled.
Well, if this wasn’t the universe screaming at her to tell him about Scarlett, she didn’t know what was.
She climbed from her Volkswagen and reached Malcolm as he hung up. He looked angry and frustrated and a dozen other things, none of them good.
She gently touched his shoulder. “Malcolm.”
He jumped and turned toward her. “Clara.”
“Are you okay?”
“Uh…not really.” He ran his fingers through his hair, his gaze lowering to the phone in his hand before lifting to her again.
“I need to talk to you,” she said quietly. “Do you have a minute?”
“I—” His phone rang, and he cursed. “Sorry, I have to take this. Maybe later. I’ll see you around.”
He was across the lot before she could stop him.
Okay, maybe this wasn’t the universe telling her to be honest with him. Not now, anyway.
With a sigh, she stepped into the café and spotted Jesse and Aspen in a booth. Jesse had his arm around his girlfriend, and they looked happy.
Well, at least someone did. She stopped at the counter and ordered her sweet tea before dropping into the booth opposite them.
Her brother frowned. “Hey, Clara. Are you okay?”
Did she look as exhausted as she felt? “Yeah, just tired.”
