“Alice, want some chili?”
“I’m good.” She held up her sandwich. “Thanks.”
I checked my phone and saw a message from Jamie: Everything okay there?
I typed my response as I chewed.
Then I erased it because I’d promised to be more understanding.
All good.
We haven’t found anything yet, but we’re still looking.
Keep your eyes up and let us know if anything else happens.
Will do.
I put my phone on the table, face down.At least he didn’t offer to send someone to follow me home later.
It’d be a waste of resources; the guys at SSI had more important things to do.
“Hi, Madi. Alice,” Dr. Greenfield greeted us as she walked in. She looked great for sixty-eight, and her silver-gray hair gave her a distinguished air.
“Morning, Carol,” Alice and I answered, despite it being after noon. Calling Dr. Greenfield by her first name felt foreign; she’d been my doctor until I left for basic training almost twelve years ago.
“I just got off the phone with your father. He and Doug will be here later to assess our security needs so they can draw up a proposal. We’re meeting here tomorrow, before the clinic opens. If you don’t mind coming in early, I’d like you to attend.”
“Not at all.” I was glad she’d finally agreed to meet with my father. “Are they installing cameras up front?”
“It’s not entirely up to me, since I’ll be retiring soon.”
“What time should I be here?”
“The meeting’s at eight.”
“I’ll stop at Grannie’s and bring coffee.”
“No need, John offered.” Carol smiled. “He said he’d bring muffins too.”
Of course he did. Dad never missed an opportunity to support Mom while making a good impression. SSI proudly brewed Grannie’s Blend, and Meg—who was Mom’s barista before she was Dad’s receptionist—had made a sign letting clients know where to buy the coffee SSI served.
Family business.
I was the only Sheppard who didn’t work at either business.
Even Emily worked for SSI and Grannie’s as a contractor, designing and maintaining their websites.
“Alice, what flavor do you want?” I asked. “I’ll make sure he brings one.”
“Mmm, cranberry orange, thanks.”
“Of course.”
“Did everything go smoothly this morning?”
Last Saturday was the first day I’d seen patients without her on site, but she was only a phone call away if I needed a prescription reviewed.
It hadn’t gone well.
