“Holy shit. So you’re saying itwasa privacy breach?”
“So it would seem. The point is,someonesuspects you only married to secure medical insurance.”
“You don’t have to say someone. We all know it’s that shitbag doctor,” says Sid.
“He did tell me about the incident with the slingshot,” says Tom. “He seems to be rather… invested in this case.”
“Did you tell him to mind his damn business?”
“I told him that if something like this happened again, I would have to recommend Council investigate the securityof private documents at the hospital,” says Tom. “I’m not sure he took me seriously. We only have two physicians on the island who trained at pre-Quake universities. Doctor Levy keeps talking about retiring and if she does, that leaves us with Doctor Tremblay. I believe he considers himself indispensable.”
I don’t know what to do with this news. Sid was angry with the doctor before, when I told him he suggested I could surrender April to the government. Between these papers and telling Tom about the slingshot, we’ve now got a pattern. Mild-mannered as he is, every step of the way, Doctor Tremblay has been undermining me.
“Why would he do this?” I finally ask. “He’s been so good to April. Why would he try to ruin things for us?”
“Ms. Hollins, I try not to speculate on the inner hearts of other people. I put my trust in facts and figures. They paint a less biased picture,” says Tom. “Most people, including Doctor Tremblay, agree that we should extend sanctuary services and citizenship to all children who come to our shores. But, in private settings, Ihaveheard him express admiration for Wayne Donlon.”
“You can’t be serious,” says Sid.
“Who is—” I start.
“Wayne Donlon is a guy on Council,” says Sid. “If it was up to him, we’d end the sanctuary program. He says shit like,Anyone we would want already got here years ago.”
“The rest are all desperate thugs,” Tom finishes, raising his eyebrows. “He said to me once that he figures we’ve done our bit. We’ve savedenoughpeople. It’s up to the rest of the world to get their affairs in order.”
“He can’t imagine a situation where someone out in the wilds might not have heard about Salt Spring until recently. Or even what it’s like working up the nerve toleave TNS.” Sid shakes his head. “I’d love to see his ass get voted out this spring.”
“Unfortunately, there are plenty who agree with him. He doesn’t rank near the top of the ballot, but he always musters enough votes to get on Council. All we can do is try to sway the balance of power in a different direction. That’s why I endorsedyou.”
“Endorsed? What does that mean?” I ask.
“It means I wrote an opinion piece for the newspaper highlighting your husband as one of our most promising young candidates.” Tom scowls, as if he regrets doing that now. “So now I’m asking you, Sid… Did you put your whole campaign in jeopardy and get yourself into a sham marriage?”
Confronted so directly, Sid falls silent for a half second.
“Of course not!” I jump in.
But it’s too late. Tom’s face falls into his hands. “Oh, bloody hell.”
“There’s nothing sham about it! We’re in love!” Maybe if I yell it enough, it will suddenly be true, and Sid will stop looking like he’s being scolded by his favourite teacher.
“You told me you had payment.” Tom levies a finger at me. “When we talked in the hospital, you said you could pay for your sister’s care. I believed you.”
“Well, I thought I could! How the hell was I supposed to know how much it cost? I’ve never used money before.”
“And now you’ve both folded. Brilliant!” Tom throws his hands in the air. “The tiniest bit of scrutiny and you both collapse. If you’re going to insist on breaking the law, could you at least be better at it?”
“Excuse me?” This doesn’t seem like the kind of thing a government official is supposed to say out loud.
“I’m not an idiot, Ms. Hollins. I know your sister has diabetes. The second your marriage certificate crossedmy desk, I knew what was going on,” says Tom. “I would love to play ignorant. I really would. But there are people watching you, Sid. People who hate what you stand for. I understand your wholeno soldier left behindattitude, but you can’t do this. Not if you want to get on council.”
“What do you mean by that?” I ask.
Tom’s eyes drop to his hands. “If we annul the marriage now, there would be no damage done. It’s not widely known yet. But if you carry on—”
I lunge out of my seat. “Get out of my kitchen!”
“Kayla,” Sid grabs my arm, trying to pull me back.
