Page 31 of Savage Peril

“I don’t think so, Nick. I saw you with Flavio Zucco.”

“You really piss me off, you know that?” Nick said. “Why would I be with Flavio?”

“So, you admit that you know who he is?”

“I haven’t been living under a rock,” Nick said. “That dude is known on the streets; he’s had his name in the news, too—if you recall. You must know who he is, if you’re accusing me of being with him.”

“He’s a drug dealer.”

“Oh, I get it,” Nick said. “I told you that I was off drugs, but you just won’t believe me. It was pretty low to accuse me of hanging out with the mob. I didn’t think even you would stoop that low.”

Nick ended the call, leaving Lori angry and frustrated. She feared that her brother was on drugs, and his denial hadn’t convinced her that he wasn’t connected to Flavio. He had to get his fix somewhere, and she supposed the mob was as good a source as any.

Lori planned to have an autopsy done. She had hoped that her brother would support that effort, but he was against her. And she was furious with Matt for revealing the news before she had a chance. That had wiped out any possibility that Lori could present things in a way that her brother would accept.

Lori had to push aside her upset and treat her morning patients. Focusing on helping others was a welcome distraction from her own problems. When she had a break, she went to the nurses’ station to give paperwork to Sarah. Another staff member was working on supply orders.

Katherine Evans was assigned to administrative duties, including handling orders for supplies and medications. Any inaccuracies in orders might be attributed to Katherine’s error, as well as many others. That made Lori think that maybe Matt had been right.

But ordering an unneeded antidote for thallium fell outside that criteria. It wasn’t the same as misadding numbers or duplicating orders. Lori would have to narrow down the source of any mistakes, which would take time. Since Matt had failed to come up with any definite answers, the responsibility fell to her. She had been unable to find an opportunity to focus on that task.

Adam was on duty with Lori, and after he finished with his patients, she asked to speak with him. He had taken the news of the exhumation well, so he was one person she could count on for support.

No matter the long hours Adam worked, he didn’t appear exhausted. He was well groomed and maintained his calm demeanor. No doubt his patients appreciated that, and Lori did also. He withstood pressures better than her.

“How are you holding up?” Adam said.

“I hardly know how to answer that,” Lori said. “I’ve had a lot of pushback about proceeding with the exhumation.”

“Your brother?”

“How did you guess?”

“He’s a hothead,” Adam said. “But don’t let it get to you. You’re doing the right thing.”

“I wouldn’t say this to anyone else, but I have my doubts.”

“I tried to persuade you to accept the cause of death and move on with your life,” Adam said. “But that was before you had reason to believe that matters weren’t that simple.”

“It is horrendous to request such a thing,” Lori said. “It’s difficult emotionally, and…”

“Yes, what?”

“I suppose I’m afraid of what I’ll find,” Lori said. “It seems like I’m poking a stick into a hornets’ nest.”

“You’re doing what you must, and I admire you for that,” Adam said. “There are standard procedures, and you’ll have your attorney to deal with legalities. If you discover evidence of a crime, it will be a police matter.”

That was what Lori was afraid of. A police investigation meant there was evidence to indicate murder. As much as Lori was committed to learning the truth, she was terrified of confirming her suspicions.

“But if my father was murdered, where does that leave me?”

Adam reached across the desk and put his hand over hers. “You aren’t alone. You have friends, and we’ll watch out for you.”

Lori believed that Adam would help her in any way he could. But she wondered what other friends she had. Sarah was on her side, but Lori wasn’t sure about the other staff. And Matt had reluctantly agreed not to fight her on the decision. She didn’t feel very secure, but appreciated Adam’s friendship.

Since Lori had only a couple of afternoon patients, she took the opportunity to have lunch with her uncle. Sheldon had texted to invite her for lunch at a nearby pasta bar. She agreed to meet him there, glad for the opportunity to talk to her uncle and still be back to the clinic for her next patient.

The café was walking distance from the clinic, and the fresh air gave Lori time to clear her head. She wasn’t looking forward to sharing her intentions, but she had no choice. Sheldon would find out, and she preferred that she be the one to tell him.

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