Page 66 of The Senator's Wife

The door opened again, and Athena entered holding a large mug. “Whit asked me to bring up your tea.” She placed it on the table. “I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. Would you like me to try and fix your hair?”

Sloane was too humiliated to place a call to her own hairdresser. She nodded mutely, then watched Athena work. “You’re pretty good with those scissors.”

Athena stopped for a moment. “Say, would you like to drink some of your tea before it gets cold?”

“I’m fine. Keep going.” No way was she drinking anything Athena gave her. “By the way, I’d like you to put my medicines on my nightstand. I will resume managing them myself.”

“Um, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. You’re not exactly yourself right now. What if you get confused?”

Like a thunderbolt, it struck her that Athena must have snuck in and cut her hair in the middle of the night to make her think she was losing her mind. And to make her look ugly. Ithadto have been her.

“It’s not open for discussion, Athena. I want it done immediately. Do you understand?”

Athena raised an eyebrow and took her time answering. “I understand. I’ll mention it to Whit. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t let him know my concerns.”

Sloane’s mouth dropped open at the woman’s audacity. Before she could respond, Athena left the room.

Were the two of them in on it together? She was going to findout. It would be a tricky dance going forward if that was true. She’d need to stay one step ahead of them. She texted Whit and asked him to come back upstairs.

“Sweetie, what is it?”

Sloane studied his face, recognizing that something in his demeanor had changed over the last days. He was not as rushed; he was more solicitous of her, staying with her for longer periods. Did his newfound hovering mean that he’d given up hope of her recovering and was doing everything he could to make her comfortable until the end? He never failed to bring up Harold’s wife in conversation, ignoring Sloane’s entreaties to stop. Was he identifying with Harold? Expecting that she would meet the same fate as his wife? She didn’t even know the poor woman’s name—as if her entire identity could be summed up by being the comatose wife of Harold.

“Whit,” she said, her voice filled with determination. “I’m not paranoid, no matter what you say. Athena has become disrespectful, and I don’t want her here anymore. I insist that you fire her.”

“She’s been a godsend, and you want me to fire her? Who’s going to take care of you?”

“I’ll call the agency. Get someone new. I’m sure Doris won’t mind filling in until we find someone.”

Whit exhaled heavily. “Doris isn’t here any longer.”

“What do you mean, she isn’t here any longer?” Had something happened to her? Was she ill?

“I had to let her go,” Whit said.

Sloane stared mutely at him; her mouth opened in shock. “Youwhat?” She felt a hot stab of fury in her chest.

“I’m sorry, Sloane. I hated to do it, but she stole something. From Athena. I didn’t believe it at first, but we found Athena’s missing Greek evil eye necklace in Doris’s room. We can’t have a thief in the house.” He put his head in his hands. “Sloane, I told you this two days ago. You don’t remember?”

He had never told her! Adrenaline coursed through Sloane untilshe felt she would explode with suppressed rage. Athena was lying. And what about Whit? Were he and Athena working together to get rid of her? She swallowed and told herself to remain calm. Whatever was going on, she needed both of them to believe she trusted them. If they knew she had any suspicions, she was doomed.

“I’m sorry to hear that about her. Of course, you were right to let her go,” she said. “You must be right; I’m not in my right mind. I’m sure the new medicine will help. Please don’t mention to Athena that I asked you to fire her.” Was Yvette next? They must be planning to isolate her here with just the two of them. She’d be completely at their mercy.

“I’m glad you understand. I know it’s difficult. She’s been with you a long time. I’m so sorry, Sloane.”

She had to get help. She could call Brianna and tell her, but then she realized how ridiculous that would sound. If Whit and Athena were trying to make her seem mentally incapacitated, she’d be playing right into their hands. She’d left two more messages for Camille, and still no return call. She would try Emmy again and tell her what was going on. As much as she wanted to protect her daughter, it was Sloane who was in need of protection now.

“I’d like to sleep now,” she said to Whit.

As soon as he left, she redialed Emmy. It went right to voicemail again. “Emmy, it’s Mom. Please call me back. I’m in trouble here. I need you.”

She hung up, terror vying with desperation in her mind.

- 52 -

WHIT

The following afternoon, Whit went upstairs to see Sloane. As he tiptoed into her room, he saw that she was shifting restlessly around the bed. He crossed the room and lightly shook her shoulder. “Sloane, wake up.”

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