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“I went to see Jane Orwell, the chairperson of the clinic’s board of directors, and she promised me she would work on a way to hasten the agency’s approval,” she said. “But I have no way of knowing if she’s making any progress, or just stringing me along. All of this information has to be on her computer at HOPE. I just can’t access it.”
“But I can.”
God bless him, he’d gotten the point immediately.
“Yes.” She picked her words with the same care one would use to defuse a bomb. “Giovanni, do not—I repeat,do not—do anything that might be dangerous for you. If it can be done safely, I’m in your debt, but if it can’t, I understand. Your safety and well-being are more important than anything else.”
“Don’t worry, sis. I know how to take care of myself. I’ll have a look and tell you if it can be done. And I won’t take any chances.”
“The last time you said that was just before you were arrested for speeding on your motorcycle,” she reminded him.
Her heart contracted at the thought of what might’ve happened to him. She hated motorcycles, had repeatedly told him they were coffins on wheels, but her brother loved his damned bike more than he loved his car.
Giovanni laughed. “I was young and reckless once, just like you, Linda. Trust me. I know what I’m doing. I’ll let you know either way as soon as I can, okay?”
“Okay.Grazie mille, mio caro fratello,” she said, squeezing the phone as if it were her brother’s hand. “I can’t wait to see you in December.”
“Same here. Take care of yourself and yourdottore, cara. I look forward to meeting him.”
Linda smiled. “And you will. Call me when you can, and thank you.”
Linda put the phone down, breathing a little easier. Giovanni would cover his tracks. He wouldn’t hack Jane Orwell’s computer unless he was absolutely sure he could do so without getting caught. Hopefully, she was wrong about the woman, and she’d gotten her ass in gear and was now fighting on the same side as they were. With luck, Giovanni would find something encouraging.
Knowing it wasn’t good to keep secrets, but since Giovanni had nothing to tell her at this point, she opted not to mention any of this to Gerard. He had enough on his mind. He didn’t need to worry about this, too. She would tell him when she had the facts, whatever they were.
Sighing, she stood, grabbed fresh underwear and a towel, and padded to the bathroom. It was after ten. Her hostess would think her the laziest woman on earth.
After showering, Linda donned a pair of shorts and a tank top, made the bed, and tidied up the room before going to find Mariana.
The woman was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
“Good morning.”
“Bonjour,” Mariana replied, a broad smile on her pretty face. “Sleep well?”
“Very well, thank you, although the rooster did cause a momentary stir.”
“Mariana laughed. “Big noise, him.”
“That’s for sure. Can I help you?”
“No, no. Sit. You want to eat?”
Linda looked longingly at the sandwich overflowing with ham, cheese, tomato slices, cucumber, and fresh dill.
“Definitely. Where are Gerard and Jean-Paul?”
“At the clinic. Talk doctor business.” Mariana placed the plate in front of her, along with a glass of milk. “Eat.”
“Aren’t you having any?”
She shook her head. “No. I ate with the men.” She smiled. “I have to go to market. You come with me?”
“I would love that, if you don’t mind waiting for me,” Linda answered, before picking up one half of the sandwich and taking a big bite.
Licking her lips, she wolfed down the rest of her delicious food.
The market was within walking distance, a busy, crowded place where Linda felt utterly lost. All the vendors tried to entice her with their merchandise, talking so fast she got dizzy trying to follow their lips. She didn’t understand a thing, but Mariana protected her, holding her arm tightly, as though she was afraid to lose her.
