Page 22 of Total Exposure

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Well, keep the preconceived notions to a minimum, Evangeline. Just… go there with an open mind.”

“It is a man?” I ask. “My watcher?”

“I’m not going to say.”

“And there’s cameras in the bedroom.”

“Of course. Everywhere but the powder room on the main floor. I’ve already told you that.”

“Is the watcher the guy you work with?”

“No,” she says. “I will say that. It’s not him. That’s not professional.”

“Who is that guy?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Do I know him?”

“No,” she says through a sigh. “Forget about him. He’s just the person who sets things up. That’s it. He’s not part of my treatment plans.”

But I’m so intrigued. It’s like… there’s this whole underground world humming along just below my feet. And everyone up top has no clue at all. Like a secret, forbidden city hidden away in plain sight. Who is this guy? And how does one get offered the job as Evangeline Rolaine’s watcher? I mean, really, how does that happen? “How do you find these people?” I finally ask. “The watchers?”

“This is the only watcher we’ve had to find. And it’s someone we both trust. So you can trust him or her as well.”

“Is it an old woman?” I ask.

“Evangeline.”

“What? I think that’s legitimate. I mean, I think old people watching me is creepy. How can I get better if I’m consumed with creepiness?”

“The watcher is not old.”

“How old?”

She sighs again. “Thirty… thirty-one, maybe? I’m not sure. Right around there.”

“It’s a guy, isn’t it? Is he hot? If he’s hot, that might be… kinda hot.”

“This conversation is over now,” she sings. “Get to the house by noon and settle in. If you decide to stop the treatment, you call me the minute you step out the door. Got it?”

I sigh too. “Fine.”

She waits for more. But when I don’t give her anything, she says, “I think this is gonna work.”

“I hope so,” I say back. “I really hope so.”

“I’ve left you a gift in the house.”

“What is it?” I ask, unexpectedly excited.

“I’m not going to tell you.” She laughs. “It’s just a housewarming gift. To make you feel at home.”

I sigh again. “Thank you, Lucinda. I really do appreciate how hard you’ve worked this past year to help me. And for thinking outside the box as far as this plan goes.”

“It’s… it’s a risk. We’ve talked about this. I wouldn’t set this up if I didn’t think it would help, so I think the chance for total recovery outweighs the risks.”