t her properly f

eet, shaking so hard Denisse had told her to stay down there where she belonged. Now

sleeve of that cheap coat. Denisse

ike: a stray out of the hills in a coat that had cost less th

was in

like nails on a chalkboard. "Get this

ne reached for Jillian's shoulder with

arm, caught his wrist, twisted it inward, an

oint

lded to his knees,

slack. "What are y

dable baton off his belt. It came

he kicked the stainless instrum

g, and took the guard square in the knee.

his legs and stoppe

, flat. "Touch him, yo

two doctors by the wall. "What are you waiting f

ng men on the floor. He pulled his stethoscope from

fornia law and this Power of Attorney, I am Aris Knowles's sole medical proxy. You touch that mach

! He's a vegetable! He can't sig

for Aris's chest w

ched the gown, a hand cam

on-strong. It closed ar

om wen

ning. Denisse's breath

les opene

ist down and put a grown m

mission," he rasp

asses slid off his nose. "M-Mr.

ll. Every drop of color drained out of her face. "No. This is impossible.

er. He pushed himsel

er hand under his arm. She was half

he bed. His gown hung open, showi

ng short by the time he got ther

, found the call button, and presse

e. Just let his hand fall back to the mattress,

e said, pinning Denisse with his eyes. "

anything? The board is meeting right now! They won't

the door. "We

or, boots hit the floor.

tice. She was alr

u could leave

s doors

came down the corridor under the Knowles Global Security patch, c

ss. Perimeter's locked. The board meeting down

nto custody. Hand them to legal. Attempted murder, c

hrieked as two operators took her arms. "I

her mouth. She was dragged out backwards like dead wei

Silence came bac

tepped back half a pace. She flick

k away from the

os

k her. Cut

. "She tried

oved. "That's the point. Put a tail on he

n at him. "Looks like your good-l

nder it burned something worse-a hard, hungry fascination

ed the velvet drape aside. Morning sun

nd the smile on he

d. "I've got a