Page 71 of State of Retribution

“Sure is.”

“We’ll be back in shortly.”

“See you then.”

“Sam…”

“I know.I’m okay.I promise.We’ll talk later, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.Sounds good.”

She closed her phone and exhaled, trying to find her groove, which was hard to do when she was so rattled.

Dr.Trulo appeared in her doorway.“Holy.Shit.Am I glad to see you.”

Sam smiled at him.“You missed all the excitement.”

“I heard Jimmy is expected to survive?”

“Yes, thank goodness.He’s an expectant dad with his high school sweetheart.”

“Is there anything I can do for you, friend?”

“Not right now, but thanks for checking.I may need you when the dust settles.”

“I’m always here for you.”

“Thank you.How’d you make out with Harlowe?”

“We had a good talk.She’s got a long road ahead of her if her memory returns—or if it doesn’t.”

“What do you think the odds are that it will?”

“She’s young and healthy, so it’s a good possibility that it will.”

“I hope she can handle what she remembers if it does.”

“That’s the kicker, of course.She’s being very well cared for by our friend Archie.”

“He’s smitten.”

“So it seems.I’ll be checking in with both of them as things unfold.”

“You’re the best.”

“Just doing my job.”

“You do much more than that, and we all know it.”

“Kind of you to say.I assume you won’t make the grief group meeting tonight.”

Sam had forgotten about it.“I don’t think so.I should go home and touch base.They’ll be upset about the day’s events, and Aubrey had a tough day at school, apparently.”

“Don’t worry about anything.Take care of your family.I’ll cover it for us.”

“Thanks, Doc.”Sam grabbed a notebook and pen and followed him out of the office.“See you later.”

“Call if you need me.Any time.”

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