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“It was some kind of hacking thing,” said Dr. Parks. “Pretty widespread. I have to let go of all my employees. The police insist. At least for a while. Until they investigate. A man was murdered. An elderly man. For his drugs. One of my patients.”
“You think it was me?” Masha asked, the same way the doctor had asked the detectives.
“No,” Dr. Parks said, assuring her. She really didn’t. “No, Masha, please. You know me. We’re friends. I know it wasn’t you. But it could have been. That’s the point. It could be anyone, anyone at all, with access to my computers.”
“Oh.”
“Here at home. Or in my office. Most likely my office. Or maybe not. Maybe anywhere. Maybe China, if it was hackers. Maybe anywhere. Idaho!”
“Terrible,” Masha said. “I’m sorry this happened to you.” She didn’t sound sorry. She sounded annoyed. She sounded pissed off.
“Me too. After the time we’ve all had. I thought we’d all get a break from the drama. I thought we could all relax for a second, but I guess people are feeling desperate.”
“I guess.”
“Understandably.”
“Right. No peace for the wicked, I guess.”
The doctor nodded. But then, who was the wicked in this scenario? Was she? Still, she appreciated Masha’s concern. “But I will… make this totally easy. Just like the shutdown. I’ll give you your wages for three months. Find a place to live, get other work, or not, your choice. I’ll pay your way. Until the police figure it out.”
Masha nodded.
“Is that fair?” the doctor asked rhetorically, thinking it was more than fair. “Then, when it’s over, the investigation, you can come back.”
“Okay,” said Masha, and nodded.
The doctor studied her housekeeper’s face. It was poker. No expression whatsoever.
“Think of it as a paid vacation.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Dr. Parks sighed and rose. “And I’m sorry for, you know—being in your space and looking around. With you not home. But I am allowed. As your landlord and your boss. This is my house. I mean, it’s your house right now, sort of—but mine officially. Legally. So…”
“Sure,” said Masha, and looked around. “There’s nothing to hide.” Except for her cousin and nephew in the trunk of her car in the driveway. And a gun.
“I know there isn’t,” Dr. Parks said, and moved toward the door. This was awkward. “That’s what I told the police today. That you would never steal from us. But they said I have to wipe the slate clean.”
“Let me know when you need me out,” Masha said, and the doctor detected an edge in her voice. Finally. Masha was offended, for sure, she was angry, the doctor could tell, but what could she do? She had no choice.
“I don’t know,” she said, and thought. “In a couple of days, or a week? A week. As soon as you can. I’ll get you the money in the morning.”
CHAPTER 11
DR. PARKS LEFT the pool house. She wondered how Josh would react to this news. If Masha left and stayed away for another two months. Josh and Masha liked each other. They were pals, and over the years had forged a bond. Maybe Masha got his life-world, the doctor thought. They shared the same interests and sense of humor. She liked his TV shows, they liked the same kind of music, and all the TikTok and online crap.
The doctor tried to respect their friendship. She tried to respect Masha’s boundaries. She’d never gone into the pool house before, but there, now she had, and it was her right. The day had been hellish and couldn’t get worse. Except that it could.
“Mrs. Parks?”
Lulu was standing in Dr. Parks’s kitchen.
“Lulu?” said the doctor, as she walked in. “What are you doing in here?”
“I was on Melrose buying sneakers. I wanted to stop by and say I’m sorry.”
Dr. Parks shook her head in dismay. “How did you—how did you get through my gate?”
