Lauren stepped closer.
“What does that mean?”
Madison closed her eyes.
“You saved me.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Lauren stared at her.
“Because you were dying.”
Madison laughed once.
It turned into a painful cough.
“You hate me.”
“You’re confusing my marriage with my profession.”
“I slept with your husband.”
“Yes.”
“And you still operated.”
“Yes.”
Madison looked away.
Lauren waited.
Silence made frightened people talk.
Madison finally whispered, “The card.”
Lauren’s attention sharpened.
“What about it?”
“Did you get it?”
“Security found it.”
“Open it.”
“I’m not taking property from an incapacitated patient.”
“I’m not incapacitated anymore.”
“You’re on morphine.”
“I know exactly where I am.”
Madison struggled to reach the bedside table.
Lauren stopped her.
“Don’t move.”
“Then listen.”
Madison’s breathing quickened.
“Inside my purse there’s a card. The card says you can have the envelope in the lining.”
Lauren didn’t react.
