“Yes.”
Lena hesitated.
“I have a strange question.”
Daniel sat at the kitchen table.
“What?”
“Would you be willing to come play again?”
He looked toward violin case beneath the window.
“For Victoria?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
There was a pause.
“Her family arrived yesterday.”
Daniel straightened.
“Good.”
“Sort of.”
“What does that mean?”
“I can’t discuss details.”
“Right.”
“But her brother found Emma’s drawing.”
Daniel closed eyes.
“Oh no.”
“He asked who left it.”
“And?”
“I explained.”
Daniel waited.
Lena continued:
“He wants to meet you.”
“Why?”
“I think you should let him explain.”
Daniel almost said no.
Then Emma entered kitchen carrying cereal.
“Who is it?”
Daniel covered phone.
“Hospital.”
“Victoria?”
Kids.
He nodded.
Emma immediately mouthed:
GO.
Daniel sighed.
“When?”
That evening Daniel met Alexander Reynolds.
Forty-two.
Tall.
Expensive navy suit.
Unshaven in a way wealthy men rarely allowed themselves to be in public.
He stood when Daniel entered the small family consultation room.
“You’re Daniel Carter.”
“Yes.”
Alexander shook his hand.
“Thank you for coming.”
Daniel sat.
“You wanted to talk about Victoria.”
Alexander looked down.
“She’s my sister.”
“I guessed.”
“Did you know who she was before you walked into that room?”
“No.”
“Do you now?”
“Not really.”
Alexander seemed surprised.
Daniel continued:
“I know her name.”
“That’s it?”
“I have a kid and a plumbing business.”
“I don’t follow…”
He gestured vaguely.
“People.”
Alexander almost smiled.
Then his face fell again.
“My sister runs Reynolds Health Systems.”
Daniel blinked.
The name he knew.
Everyone did.
Hospital software.
Medical supply logistics.
Clinics.
One of the largest privately held healthcare technology companies in the country.
Alexander saw recognition.
“Yeah.”
Daniel leaned back.
“Okay.”
“She was in Boston for a board meeting.”
“The accident happened on the way back to her hotel.”
Daniel did not ask details.
Alexander continued.
“She’s been unconscious since.”
“Doctors?”
“Uncertain.”
His voice weakened.
“They keep using careful words.”
Daniel understood careful words.
“They have to.”
“I know.”
Alexander rubbed hands together.
“I wasn’t here the first two days.”
Daniel said nothing.
“I was in Singapore.”
“By the time I landed…”