Elodie found an empty cocktail table and set her drink down on the pastel tablecloth as she scanned the crowd.The number of citizens who had come to the funeral and who were staying for the celebration was shocking, especially since it was tradition to go without the Violet Shield to all funeral festivities as a symbol of unity and closeness with the deceased.All public events were streamed live through VR.Every single person in Westfall could be there without actually being there.Elodie herself would be at home with her headset on in the comfort of her sweats if her mother hadn’t made such a big deal about her attendance.Staying home to spite Gwen had most definitely crossed Elodie’smind.
Now that Elodie actually thought about it, so many people had shown up not because they too had terrible mothers, although that might be true, but because Director Holbrook had been so important.As the head of the Key Corp MediCenter, he’d effectively run the city of Westfall, and no one wanted to be thought of as disrespecting their commander in chief.Especially since the next MediCenter director was guaranteed to be in attendance.
If Elodie gambled, she would have bet on Dr.Scott or her daughter Blair.They’d been seated at the service, front and center, practically on thrones.They’d also been the first to exit, followed by a flood of MediCenter scientists and doctors who would need the next director on their side.Elodie might not have a bunch of letters after her name, or need funding for a project, but she did need answers to a question that wouldn’t stop gnawing at her.What had the Key done to Aubrey?
Out of the corner of her eye, Elodie caught the sizzling flash of KeyCorp–redstilettos amidst a sea of black.She followed the long legs up to an impeccably tailored,high-neckeddress, a mane of curls, and—
Elodie sucked in a breath and nearly knocked over her drink as the woman turned toward her.It was Blair Scott.And she wasn’t alone.Dr.Cath Scott stood next to her, smiling and waving as the group around them continued to dissipate.
Elodie smoothed down her pleated skirt and tucked her hair behind her ears.As soon as the last few people walked away from Dr.and Ms.Scott, Elodie would have her chance.
But before she could take it, her gaze landed on Aiden, fast approaching in a black suit and those clunky boots, his brows pinched and a line of worry creasing his forehead.
“You have that look,” she said as he got closer.“The look that says, ‘I’m about to tell you something you don’t want to hear.’”It was the same expression he’d worn when he’d told her about Aubrey.Elodie’s stomach clenched.“I don’t understand how you were able to keep the huge secret you kept with such a crappy poker face,” she playfully chimed through the apprehension tightening her throat.
Then again, Thea Fujimoto had kept the same secret from her family without raising even the slightest suspicions.There was no way Astrid knew.If she found out, maybe she wouldn’t tell the Council, but she’d at least tell Elodie.Astrid could never keep that huge of a secret, the kind that lived and breathed and eventually consumed its jailer.Elodie knew how it felt to hold such a secret.She now kepttwo.
Aiden unbuttoned his suitcoat and rested his hands on his waist.The tailored black suit expertly fit his lean form and made him look older than his nearly eighteen years.“It’s nothing bad,” he paused.“At least, I don’t think you’ll think it is.”He dug the crusty toe of his boot into the finely manicured lawn.Those dirty things had to be attached to hisfeet.
Elodie spotted Blair’s red heels coming their way with Cath Scott at her side.Elodie held up her hand to Aiden.“I know it’s a funeral,” she said, “but there are people here who can help us figure out what really happened to Aubrey.”Elodie chewed her bottom lip.“This might be my only opportunity to talk tothem.”
And I have to do it before I lose mynerve.
Aiden surged in front of her.“Elodie, wait, I—”
She didn’t wait for him to finish.Instead, she pushed away from the cocktail table and marched squarely in the path of Cath and BlairScott.
You’re braver than you think.You’re braver than you think.You’re braver than you think.
Cath cocked her head, but never lost her pleasant smile as Elodie planted herself in front of theduo.
For once, Elodie’s legs and arms and face were all doing exactly what they were supposed to.“Hello, Dr.Scott, Ms.Scott.I’m Elodie Benavidez, Lead Nurse in the downtown MediCenter’sLong-TermCareUnit.”
Blair’s lips thinned and she blinked at Elodie long andslow.
Elodie held her head with pride.Wallflower no more.She deserved answers.She deserved to talk to thesewomen.
Blair pressed the back of her hand against her mouth as she yawned.
And Elodie deserved to talk to them no matter how annoyed or bored Blair Scott seemed.“I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you do.I love my job, and it’s because of your unit’s expertise, Dr.Scott, that I’m there.”She’d decided, in the seconds it had taken her to intercept Cath and Blair, that she should start off slow.There was no reason to cause a scene or make a bad first impression.
Elodie’s stomachflip-flopped.She was beginning to sound like her mother.
Aiden’s earthy scent encircled them as he shuffled up behind Elodie.Cath glanced past Elodie’s shoulder at him, her eyebrows arching and eyes brightening.“Miss Benavidez,” she said, shining her smile back on Elodie, “meeting you is an absolute bright spot in my otherwise gloomyday.”
Elodie blanched and shifted from one foot to the other.“Oh, yes, I’m so sorry about Director Holbrook.He was a good man.”She hadn’t known Holbrook, or even ever met him, but it seemed like the right thing to say.Especially because Cath, unlike the majority of the people in attendance, actually seemed saddened by the loss—the complete opposite of Elodie’s own mother, who had practiced her Lines of Bereavement during thethirty-minuteride to the Holbrook estate.
A bot whirred by carrying drinks, and Blair leaned over and plucked a cup of sparkling orange liquid off the tray.“Ellie, I have to say, I am loving how bold you are.”Her lips curled from behind the rim of theglass.
Elodie felt Aiden stiffen behind her.“Blair,” he growled in warning.
Elodie’s eyes went wide.“You can’t call her Blair,” she whispered sharply over her shoulder.
Blair cocked her hip.“Oh, Denny can call me just about anything.Can’t you, Denny?”she teased.
Denny?Elodie’s eyes ping ponged between Aiden and Blair.They had the same thick lashes, round eyes, and full cheekbones.Their lips were the same, too, the corners upturned in a constant state of mischief, although on Blair it felt a bit more like contempt.They looked so much alike, with their dark skin and tight curls.How had she not seen it before?
And how could Aiden not tell her that the women in his life were two of the most powerful people in Westfall?
