Rook.
His expression was no longer the easygoing smile he wore at charity dinners.
“Let's not make this difficult,” he said.
Emma looked toward Lucy.
Then back at him.
“Whatever concern you have, you can raise it at tomorrow's meeting.”
Rook shook his head.
“There isn't going to be a meeting.”
Emma's stomach tightened.
She reached toward her handbag, intending to call hospital security.
Rook moved closer.
“Put the phone away.”
Lucy pressed against her mother's leg.
“Mama?”
Emma placed one hand protectively on the girl's shoulder.
“It's okay, sweetheart.”
But her voice had changed.
Lucy could hear it.
Children knew things adults sometimes forgot they could recognize.
A change in breathing.
A sudden stillness.
The way a familiar voice became tight around the edges.
Emma looked toward the garage entrance.
Then she raised her voice.
“Mr. Voss, step away from us.”
Rook's expression hardened.
He reached toward the leather folder.
Emma pulled it back.
“These documents are part of an authorized review.”
“Give them to me.”
“No.”
The movement that followed happened too quickly for Lucy to understand.
Rook grabbed the folder.
Emma resisted.
They struggled briefly.
Then he shoved her aside.
She lost her balance against the concrete support and fell.
Lucy screamed.
“MAMA!”
Emma was conscious for a few moments, but visibly disoriented. She tried to rise, then sank back against the floor.
Rook froze.
For one instant, he looked as shocked as Lucy.
Then his eyes moved toward the garage entrance.
He seized the folder.
Lucy stumbled toward her mother.
Rook turned.
And the little girl saw his hand.
A thick silver ring.
Scarred knuckles.
And a tiny raven tattoo just beyond the edge of his sleeve.
She stared at the black bird.
Then at his face.
Rook looked down at her.
For a brief moment, something like shame crossed his expression.
But it disappeared.
“Don't look at me, little sparrow.”
Lucy stopped breathing.
He turned and hurried away.
The sound of his boots faded between the parked cars.
Lucy knelt beside her mother.
“Mama?”
Emma didn't answer clearly.
Lucy touched her shoulder.
“Mama, wake up.”
There was a little yellow paper crane in Lucy's pocket.
She took it out.
Placed it beside Emma's hand.
Then began crying.
“Mama, please.”
A hospital employee entering the garage heard her screaming.
Security arrived.
Emergency responders followed.
Emma was rushed back inside Mercy Ridge, where physicians began evaluating her injuries.