“It’s like I’m looking straight at her. My god.”
She blinked. Most people didn’t immediately see the resemblance between her and Vivien, but it was there. They had their father’s eyes and coloring. And if this man knew her sister as intimately as it seemed he did…
He shook himself. “Like I told your sister, this is not the time, but I suppose that’s exactly why you’ve come. If it’s money you want?—”
“I don’t! I just want to know where Vivien is!”
“You don’t know where she is?”
“No. I know she was in contact with you before she disappeared.”
“Disappeared? She called me, just yesterday.”
“That wasn’t her, it was me. I found her phone. She’s been gone for a month—it’s not like her.”
The door opened, and a couple of nurses walked up the stairs, chatting. Walter turned his face away. Once they were out of earshot, he spoke again. “This is not the right time and place. I have to go back to mywife.” He spat the last word as an admonishment, though Lana wasn’t sure if he was scolding her or himself. “I assume your sister has left town and is lying low. I certainly gave her enough cash.”
“She would have told me where she was going. I’m worried about her. No one knows where she is. And if she’s pregnant?—”
“She’s what?”
“You didn’t know? It’s just a theory.”
He looked up into nothing. “God help us.” He shook his head. “Well, that’s more reason for her to have taken the money and run. I’m sure she’s doing fine.”
“When did you last see her? Please, it could be important.”
His brow wrinkled. “Six weeks ago.”
“Are you sure?” That had to be right after she and Vivien had argued. She’d gotten money from him instead?
“It was Grace’s last day of chemo before…” He briefly closed his eyes. “I’m sure.”
The door to the ward opened again, and he shot her a warning look. A tall blond man in a suit and white coat stepped in. Lana recognized the name embroidered into his coat from the website—Dr. Sam Kincaid, one of the hospital directors. He looked warily between Lana and Walter, obviously picking up on the vibe. “Everything okay here?”
“Yes, yes,” Walter snapped.
The doctor narrowed his eyes. “Mr. Shepherd? We need that signature.”
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
The doctor nodded and left, after a last glance at Lana.
“You might not be able to respect me, I understand that,” Walter whispered. “This is all on me, I know. But please respect my wife enough to leave us in peace at least until…” His eyes clouded. “This would kill Grace—and that is not hyperbole.” He slapped a hand over his face, crying now. “But first it would break her heart. I can’t do that to her.” He laid a palm on the wall, leaning on it. “I’m sure your sister has set herself up nicely by now.” He pulled the door open and looked back at Lana, pain deepening his eyes. “You really do look so much like her. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. None of this is anyone’s fault but mine.” He left, pulling a crushed handkerchief from a pocket and wiping his eyes.
Lana leaned back against the wall, her own eyes filling. What had she expected him to say?Why, of course I know where Vivien is! She’s having a great time at my vacation home at Lake Tahoe!He did seem genuinely unaware where she was. But Lana could not imagine a world in which Vivien was scared and alone and didn’t contact her. Something had happened. No matter what everyone kept telling her. Something had happened.
The door opened again. The doctor. Come to trespass her out of the hospital?
“Are you all right?” he said kindly. He was younger than she’d first thought, maybe mid-thirties. “Are you family of Walter and Grace?”
“No.”
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on here, but poor old Walter, he’s going through a lot. I’m afraid I will have to ask you to leave the ward. Why don’t you come with me?” He walked to the stairs leading down. “We have a chapel on the first floor, where you can collect yourself.”
“No, I’m?—”
He took her elbow, gently. “Please. I’m going down to my office, I can show you the way.”
