Page 86 of Witches of Dubious Origin
If he recognized my name, he didn’t show it. I introducedhim to Olive and watched as the two big brains in the room squared off, taking each other’s measure.
“Ms. Prendergast.”
“Dr. Hawthorne.”
“Would you be the same Olive Prendergast who works in the Books of Dubious Origin collection at the Museum of Literature?”
Olive’s eyebrow, the one with the slit in it, rose. “You’re familiar with the Books of Dubious Origin collection?”
“Miles and I went to Johns Hopkins medical school together,” he said. “We keep in touch as time and distance allow.”
Huh. I had not known that Miles had a medical degree. Interesting.
“In that case, yes, I amthatOlive of whom I’m sure you’ve heard so much.” Olive’s eyebrow dropped and she looked chagrined.
“Only good things, I promise.” An amused smile curved Dr. Hawthorne’s lips. He turned back to me. “And what can I do for you?”
“I take it you haven’t spoken to Miles recently?” I asked.
Dr. Hawthorne contemplated the ceiling while he tried to recall. “It’s been about a month since we’ve talked.”
I glanced at Olive and she nodded. I took this to mean I could show him my eyes and ask about Mamie, but I did not plan to tell him anything about the grimoire.
“I’m here for two things, actually.” I closed my eyes as I removed my glasses, opening them when I added, “This is the first.”
To his credit, Dr. Hawthorne didn’t flutter an eyelash atthe sight of my vampire eyes. Instead, he took a small penlight out of the pocket of his white coat and said, “Look up.” I did and felt him studying my eyes with the help of the light.
“Any itching, burning, stinging, or discomfort of any kind?” he asked.
“None.”
“Normally, I would prescribe eye drops for an allergen or to flush an irritant out, but since you’re Toni Donadieu’s granddaughter, I suspect anything human I prescribe won’t make a bit of difference to something caused by magic.”
“You know who I am?” I lowered my head and met his gaze.
“You look just like her.” His voice was gruff when he added, “Toni was a remarkable woman.”
I tried to parse if there was some other deeper emotion between the doc and Mamie, but I didn’t know him well enough to get a read on him. Either way, it was clear he held Mamie in high regard, which I found comforting.
“And if it is a magical injury?” I asked without admitting the truth.
Dr. Hawthorne glanced at Olive. “Suggestions?”
“She knows what she needs to do.”
Dr. Hawthorne glanced between us. Clearly my red eyes weren’t going to go away until I had a chance to look at the book.
“Fine.” I put my glasses back on and addressed the doctor. “The second thing is that I’m following up on my own medical history and was wondering if you could answer some questions about Mamie…er…Toni’s death.”
“Oh, of course. I’ll answer if I can,” Dr. Hawthorne said.
“How did she die?” I asked. “My mother never told me and there’s nothing in her obituary.”
He stroked his chin and said, “Specifically, it was a cardiac arrest.”
Just like my mother.
“Did she have a heart condition that you were aware of?” I asked.
