“What issue?”
Hannah looked at him.
She hated lying to patients.
“Possible pharmacy discrepancy.”
Nicholas immediately became alert.
“What kind?”
“I’m checking.”
He studied her face.
“You’re scared.”
“No.”
“Hannah.”
She exhaled.
“Concerned.”
“About me?”
“Yes.”
Nicholas stared.
“Tell me.”
“Not yet.”
His eyes hardened.
“I don't like that answer.”
“I know.”
“You work for me.”
“Yes.”
“Then tell me.”
Hannah looked directly at him.
“I also have a clinical responsibility not to make accusations before I know what I’m looking at.”
Nicholas went still.
Accusations.
That word changed everything.
“Against who?”
“I didn't say against anyone.”
“Yes, you did.”
“No.”
“You implied it.”
Hannah sighed.
“You're impossible.”
Nicholas smiled faintly.
“Usually.”
She leaned closer.
“Give me forty-eight hours.”
“No.”
“Twenty-four.”
Nicholas stared.
Then nodded.
“Twenty-four.”
Claire entered ten minutes later.
Hannah watched her.
Everything looked normal.
Beautiful.
Composed.
She kissed Nicholas’s forehead.
Asked how he slept.
Mentioned wedding invitations.
Discussed photographers.
Hannah hated herself for studying every gesture.
Because suspicion, once born, could turn neutral behavior into evidence.
She knew that.
She had trained against it.
So she forced herself to keep alternatives alive.
Walter.
Housekeeper.
Pharmacy error.
Old medication.
Nicholas.
Anyone.
That evening, Claire asked:
“Where’s his medication tray?”
Hannah looked up.
“In my room.”
Claire frowned.
“Why?”
“New storage procedure.”
“Since when?”
“Today.”
Claire’s eyes held hers for one second too long.
Then she smiled.
“Good.”
Hannah felt cold.
Still not proof.
The toxicology result arrived the afternoon of the engagement party.
The two isolated tablets contained a medication Nicholas had not been prescribed.
Used in some medical contexts under supervision.
Potentially dangerous when combined with his existing regimen.
Enough to worsen sedation, confusion, weakness, and blood-pressure instability.
Hannah read the result three times.
Then called the doctor.
He confirmed.
“Do not administer anything from the compromised supply.”
“I already stopped.”
“Get him evaluated tonight.”
“There’s an engagement party happening.”
“I don't care.”
Hannah looked through the upstairs window.
Guests filled the lawn.
Cars lined the driveway.
Claire stood below in silver, smiling beside Nicholas’s wheelchair.
“Neither do I.”
The doctor lowered his voice.
“If deliberate tampering is possible, preserve samples.”
“I have.”
“Document.”
“Yes.”
“Do not confront whoever you suspect alone.”
Hannah looked toward Claire again.
“I don't know who I suspect.”
That was not entirely true anymore.
She had one person at the top of the list.
But lists were not proof.
Hannah placed the tablets into a clear evidence bag.
Photographed everything.
Locked original bottles away.
Then walked downstairs.
She intended to tell Nicholas privately after the final guests left.
That plan lasted twelve minutes.
She reached the hallway outside the foyer and heard Claire’s voice.
“You embarrassed me.”
Nicholas answered:
“How?”
“You ignored Senator Bell’s wife.”
“I was tired.”
“You stared at Hannah all evening.”