Donna huffed a short laugh that held no humor. “I don’t think so. I remember you were out of your head with a fever and wandering the halls, but the room next to yours was empty. I think the combination of the drugs and the fever must have caused you to hallucinate.” Her eyes softened. “You were really sick, hon.”

Sarah held onto her patience with effort. “That’s true, I was, but not so sick I was out of my head. I know there was someone in that room.”

The woman blinked. “I see. Well, even if there was—and I’m not saying there was—there are laws protecting the patients here, including you. By law, I couldn’t tell you about this Brianne even if I remembered her.”

Okay, that was a valid argument. However . . . Sarah caught sight of Dr. Kilgore at the end of the hall. Brushing past the nurse with a hurried “Excuse me,” she headed for the man. “Dr. Kilgore.”

He turned. “Rochelle?”

“Sarah.”

“Right, sorry. How are you? I didn’t think we had another appointment until next week.”

“I’m healing and we don’t. I’m here looking for another one of your patients. She was in the room next to mine. Her first name is Brianne and she was terribly upset the last time I saw her. I . . . I guess I just wanted to know that she was okay and got the help she needed.”

“I told her there was no patient here by that name,” Donna snapped from behind her. “Now, it’s time for you two to go.”

“I really don’t think I can leave until I get some answers,” Sarah said, keeping a smile on her face.

The doctor frowned. “Brianne? Wait a minute. Someone called up here looking for a patient by that name, and I told him I didn’t know who he was talking about.”

“That was my brother, Caden.”

“I see. Well, nothing’s changed since I talked to him. I still don’t know who you’re looking for.” He tucked the file in his hand under his left arm and pulled a phone out of his pocket. “Now, I really must get to the next patient. I’ll see you next week, Sarah.” He turned on his heel and headed down the hall.

Sarah barely managed to hold in a frustrated growl. Why were they giving her the big runaround? Why deny the woman existed?

“Dr. Kilgore, wait! Please.”

“Sarah—” Gavin touched her hand.

“I see you found your phone,” she blurted.

The doctor froze. And slowly turned. “What?”

“You’d left it in the room and came back for it. You were talking with another man. Who was he?”

Dr. Kilgore’s smile flattened. “I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I really have to go. I’ll see you next week.” With that, he turned and headed into the next room.