bottle beneath t

e, no dosage, no warning beyond the si

IS

ee sat beside

is footstep

had gone cold, but she could still smell the bitter edge beneath the roast. She

rd Daniel on

resh coffee from the pot and added the sugar he liked.

is tie, and glanced at the

first one might

sip-and immediately sp

is t

tomach clenc

wn with a sharp clink and wiped his

on landed

N

're

t hot. "I made it t

ook another cautious sip. Hi

e coffee you

h." He pushed the cup away. "I

bbed h

nie

icky. I've

nt door to close, then picked up the coffee. She smelled it. The bitternes

d it down

er, the side

ng a basket of folded tea towels. "Goo

und. "Don't drink

ed. "I beg y

the coffee. Don'

basket. "I haven't

eep it t

yebrows rose. "Has

was still hidden behind it. She needed to ge

ria said. "I'm not

xpression softened. "You look po

N

at

thank

ached for the basket. "I'll

's gaze flicked towards the counter, where Dan

" Victori

ed. "It's o

it

startled them both. Miriam's mou

ate being spoken

Please, ju

iberate care. "You and Mr. Hale

a said

hrough the side door. Victoria waited

back to the

ttle w

d bin aside. Empty counter. She opened the cu

fast that a stack of plates rattled. The bottle had

door bang

" Victor

ans

the utility room. The laundry basket stood where Miria

riam's canvas b

visible inside, the

d the bag and pulled the bottle free. A

n carrying tw

down!" Vict

over its rim, spilling onto her

id you g

behind the

too

e cups on the table. "You've been behaving as if the h

ne was green, one blue. Miriam had

did you d

her. "Neither. I'

ped its contents into the sink. Then

ed her wrist

drink a

hy

und p

thrust the bottle towards her.

on?" Miriam

ays i

id it co

n't k

Hale put

n't k

essing one hand to the tabl

ched for her

m f

own, M

d I'm

ckled. She struck the edge of the table

he bottle. It roll

ria

eeper's shoulders. Miriam's eyes were open

ictoria shouted, thoug

it, and punched in the emergency number.

ered against the ti

t. "Stay with me.

bled. A thin breath s

ia said, tears burning h

sked what Miriam

tea, the two cups, and the po

e said. "I don't k