When Becky didn’t respond, Slade glanced at Sloan. “You got anyone who can check the place out?” he asked, already typing on the computer. He grabbed a pen and paper, scribbled something down, then handed it to Sloan. “I want to know how busy it is, how many front staff, everything. Anything they can get without drawing attention.”
“If not, I’ll pull someone,” Sloan said, taking the paper.
Slade’s attention went back to Becky. “How have you been feeling lately, Becky?”
Becky swallowed. “As I said, I had cysts removed in my twenties. I remember how I felt after.” She hesitated. “I didn’t have any symptoms this time. No soreness, spotting, nothing. I actually felt fine.”
Slade’s frown deepened as he listened to her.
Her fingers twisted together. “It wasn’t until almost three weeks later that I started feeling off. Nausea, tired and restless. Almost like I was back on the medication he had me on before the procedure.” She looked at Slade. “Is that normal?”
“To have no symptoms after an ovarian cyst removal? Not likely.” Slade grabbed the pen. “Do you remember what medications he had you on before the procedure?”
Becky didn’t miss the way he saidthe procedure, like he didn’t believe it had happened either. Her stomach dipped, anxiety and nausea rolling through her.
“I’m not losing my mind,” she whispered, more to herself than them. Then she swallowed and looked at Slade. “He had me on birth control at first… said it was to regulate things. Then heswitched me to something calledPrometrium. Told me it would help before the procedure.”
Slade went very still, the pen in his hand hovering over the paper. His eyes lifted slowly to hers.
“Prometrium?” he repeated, his voice quieter now.
A look passed between him and Sloan, something sharp and unspoken, before Slade looked back at Becky.
“That’s not typically used for cyst treatment,” he said carefully.
Sloan’s body went rigid beside her.
Slade leaned forward slightly, his focus locked on Becky. “How long were you on it?”
Becky frowned, thinking back. “A couple weeks… maybe a little more before the procedure.”
“And during that time,” Slade asked. “How did you feel?”
Becky let out a slow breath. “I was nauseous sometimes. Tired and restless. I felt rundown like I had the flu.” She glanced at Sloan. “You saw it. Hell, I think everyone saw it.”
Slade’s expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes sharpened. “And after the procedure? That was all gone?”
Becky hesitated. “Yeah, until now.”
Slade sat back slowly, his gaze dropping for a second before lifting again.
Sloan didn’t miss it. “What?” he demanded.
Slade looked between them, then back to Becky. “I want to run those labs,” he said. “And we’ll get that ultrasound scheduled.I need to make a few phone calls and then I’ll meet you at my office to take some blood. Just meet me there.”
“Can I grab something to eat first?” Becky stood slowly. “I didn’t eat this morning, but I’m starting to feel a little hungry now. I’d rather eat before the nausea hits again.”
“Yeah, you can eat.” Slade nodded, but Becky noticed he wasn’t looking directly at her, like he was avoiding her gaze. That paranoid feeling crept in again.
“What exactly are you testing my blood for?” She knew her question caught him off guard, but he recovered quickly, slipping right back into that Warrior façade.
“It’s general blood work, but also hormone levels,” Slade answered.
Becky stared at him for a moment, then nodded and headed for the door. Sloan took her hand and opened it for her. As they stepped out, she noticed Daniel and Duncan talking nearby. Kent walked in through the front door, giving them a nod as he passed.
“Kent,” Sloan called. “I’ve got a job for you.”
Kent turned and headed back. “What is it?” He took the paper from Sloan and glanced at it.
