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“If you don’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind.”
He never minded going out of his way for us. Dr. Adam was one of the good ones.
“Let me get you some painkillers first.” He crossed the room to the medicine cabinet. “Do you know who hit you?”
“Sort of.”
He walked back to me with two pills and a glass of water. “Was it an accident?”
“Yes and no.”
His eyebrows drew together. “I don’t understand.”
“It wasn’t their fault.” I wasn’t explaining very well. “Listen, I know you have to adhere to patient confidentiality, but if I have a security concern about a resident, the bylaws state you’re permitted to answer.”
His smile was soft and tender. “You don’t have to persuade me with rules, Maya. What’s your question?”
Guilt pierced my heart. I didn’t deserve his unwavering trust, yet I would take it all the same—because I needed his help.
“Did you perform a general exam of Keith Irwin, the new werewolf?”
“Of course. All new Neighbors come here for a workup when they first arrive.”
“I need to know if there was anything unusual in his results. Anything that stuck out to you.”
“Not that I recall but let me grab his file. Follow me.” The healer opened a drawer in his private office and retrieved a folder. He flipped it open and started to read as he sat in his chair. “Accelerated heart rate, but that’s not atypical for werewolves.”
“Even a werewolf his age?”
“Slightly unusual for his age, yes.”
“What else?” There would be more, I knew it.
He scanned the chart. “Reflexes were surprisingly good for his age, even taking into consideration his species.”
“According to people who knew him on the mainland, he wasn’t particularly impressive when he was younger.”
Dr. Adam looked up from the file. “You think he’s been doping? For what purpose? He’s hardly a world-class athlete.”
“I think he’s taking a substance or done something to alter his constitution. Did you run a blood test?”
“No. I only do that if there’s a reason.”
“There’s a reason. Can you get a sample?”
The druid folded his hands together in a thoughtful gesture. “He’ll want to know why.”
“Keith doesn’t know the rules. Tell him it’s standard procedure. You intended to do it during his initial exam, but you were short on supplies. I don’t know. Make up a plausible excuse.”
“Will do.”
“And don’t mention me or any security concerns.”
Keith already had me in his sights, which was why he sent the angry mob after me. I wondered whether he’d influenced them to simply scare me, or his instructions were too vague to result in anything more serious than a bonk on the head.
“Feral werewolves couldn’t drag it out of me.” Sympathy glimmered in the healer’s eyes. “You should rest now, Maya. Let me take you home.”
