in, bringing the smell of rain and

his face red with fury. "This

k and hit the lock button on the inside panel. The d

now," Hartwell

glances. Dr. Vance sputtered,

d her foot to pump the disinfectant, lathering her hands up to he

Dr. Vance. Vance crossed

aistband. He placed it on the stainless steel tray wit

voice terrifyingly calm, "or leav

She turned and rippe

gown, snapping it on, then pulled on gloves.

he old woman was gray. Evie

hiss. "If you cut her, the pressure will b

de sliced through the skin and sternum at an

alpel had missed every torn

eyes wide. "That's..

er fingers found the back of the heart. She press

oward a flatline, began to slow. The erratic pe

face. She was sweating, a bead of it rolling down her temple

ked. "I'm repairin

king away. "You can't suture

urved needle flashed in the light, moving so fast it left afterimages. Stitch. Tie.

k and possessive uncurled in his chest. He had never se

d the final thread. She slowly lif

y rhythm filled the room. The moni

atter. She ripped off her mask, taking a deep breath. She turned h