“It didn’t ring any bells?”
“No.”
Benjamin moved closer to him. “Corey told us this really crazy story about the pair of you walking to safety through deep snow. He said you reached a hotel called Solas Suas. You made a snow sculpture, decorated Christmas biscuits and there was a talent show where you did your trick about working out birthdays.”
Tal frowned. “I…”
“Weird, right? I mean, I get he might have hallucinated but how did he know you can do that thing with birthdays? Unless it was a way of passing time in the car. I don’t see you making a snow sculpture or decorating Christmas biscuits. And where was the time for that? You were picked up in the early hours after the accident.”
Tal felt as if sparks of fire were shooting in his head, neurons snapping, close to connecting but not quite. “I need to see Corey.”
Benjamin winced. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Just let it go. You’re both okay and that’s all that matters.”
It wasn’t all that mattered. Something was wrong. Tal couldn’t deal with the uncertainty.
“Don’t be surprised if Louis keeps coming in to check you’re okay during the night. He acts all belligerent and bossy and protective, but—”
“Because he’s worried. I know.”
Tal made an attempt to eat the pasta dish Louis had prepared. He eyed the wine but doubted that would be allowed.
“No,” Louis said. “Definitely not.”
“I’ve been thinking,” Tal said. “I ought to thank Corey properly for pulling me from the car.”
“You don’t know that he did,” Louis said. “Drop it. He’s trouble.”
“What do you mean?”
“You can’t possibly believe anything he said.” Louis glanced at Benjamin. “I assume blabbermouth told you. Delusions and hallucinations are common after a head injury. He had a broken foot. And… How could he have pulled you out? It’s possible he sees you as a source of getting a new car. He has no money and you do.”
Tal frowned. “Why are you seeing the worst in him?”
“I’m trying to protect you. Eat!” Louis stabbed a piece of pasta with his fork.
Solas Suas.The words had been carved into stone. Tal sucked in an audible breath.
“What’s up?” Louis asked.
“The words Solas Suas were cut into stone. I saw them. But we were in the middle of nowhere. How could I have seen that?”
Louis glowered at Benjamin. “Yeah, well if words are put in your head, it’s not surprising. Christ, Tal! You and that guy did not walk to a hotel in a blizzard and spend days there busy with Christmas activities. Be sensible. He’s playing you.”
“How?” Tal asked. “He believes it. How is that playing me?”
“He’s trying to convince you to join you in his paranoia. He’s been—”
“Don’t,” Benjamin snapped.
Louis sucked in his cheeks and swallowed hard.
“Does this have something to do with what you weren’t supposed to have done?” Tal raised his eyebrows. “You looked atCorey’smedical records? Oh Christ.”
“If you tell anyone, he might get struck off,” Benjamin said. “Not might, hewill.”
“Louis!” Tal was the one glowering now. “Doctors shouldn’t access a patient’s personal information without a legitimate reason.”
“I had a legitimate reason.”
