Page 63 of Savage Peril

Lori ordered mandarin tomato soup. She had iced tea, but Sheldon ordered a glass of Cabernet to go with his Sicilian ragù.

While waiting for the food, Lori sipped her drink and nibbled a piece of bread. She wanted to say something reassuring to Sheldon, but not much progress on the case had been made.

“The police interviewed me,” Sheldon said. “I didn’t have much to tell them. I believe they had already spoken to you.”

“We will find out who did it,” Lori said, hoping she sounded convincing.

Sheldon sipped his wine, looking thoughtful. “I hope I’m not overstepping my bounds, but I am your uncle and I’m worried about you.”

“I suppose you have reason to be,” Lori said. “But I’m not alone; I have plenty of support.”

“It’s not that,” Sheldon said. “After hearing what happened Friday, I couldn’t stop thinking about it all weekend.”

“I wasn’t hurt.”

“Yes, but still…”

Lori didn’t know what her uncle could do to help.

“I want to talk to you about something,” Sheldon said, “and I want you to take this in the right way.”

“Certainly, go ahead.” Lori had no idea what he had on his mind.

“Robert was my brother,” Sheldon said. “He loved you and wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.” He held up his hand. “Hear me out. I feel responsible for you, and it’s hard for me to watch you go through all of this.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“No, but I could help,” Sheldon said. “I want you to consider giving up the clinic. I know it was your father’s passion, but you don’t have to follow the same path. Under other circumstances, it would be fine. But it’s not worth risking your life.”

Lori was thrown off by the idea. “I couldn’t give it up. I don’t want to.”

“You don’t have to go through all of this,” Sheldon said. “It must be hard on you. I could find someone to take over—or at least give you a break. I want you to lean on me, let me help.”

“Uncle Sheldon…” Lori floundered for the right response. “I appreciate that. It means a lot to me that you care, really. But the clinic is important to me. It isn’t just a matter of following in my father’s footsteps—it’s my passion too.”

“I wish you’d consider it,” Sheldon said. “If you sold the business, you’d be set for life. You could do anything you want. Think it over, and if you change your mind…”

“I won’t change my mind.” Lori couldn’t deny that it would be good to step away from all the pressures. But Sheldon’s offer made her remember how much the clinic meant to her.

*****

After Sheldon dropped Lori at the clinic, she saw her afternoon patients. She kept thinking about Sheldon’s offer, but she admonished herself for letting it get to her. Selling out wasn’t the solution, despite how good a less stressful life would be.

During a break, Adam called her into his office. “I wanted to speak with you privately.”

“About what?”

“I’ve noticed that Matt comes and goes at odd times, which has aroused my suspicions.”

Lori bit her tongue. She wanted to tell Adam that Matt was under surveillance, but she couldn’t divulge that information.

“Not only that,” Adam said, “his mood fluctuates. He’s edgy and seems preoccupied.”

“I appreciate you telling me.”

“Something is amiss,” Adam said. “I’m guessing it’s related to the supply discrepancies you’ve discovered.”

Lori thanked Adam, then went straight to see Sarah. “Anything new?”

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