That was the other thing Sydney had told him on the phone, not that his focus had been at its best. But he’d heard enough to know John Pettinger wasn’t the JP they sought.

“We should be taking her to a doctor, Lil.”

Lilian shook her head. “She doesn’t want that. Her yearly physical is coming up at the end of November. She insists there’s no point—”

“She’s never fainted before!”

“Maybe not, but she’s a completely competent adult who’s done a dang fine job taking care of herself—not to mention all of us—for decades. It’s not our job to argue with her or haul her to a doctor’s office if that’s not what she wants. If she says this was just a random fluke, that it was nothing, then that’s what it is. Nothing.”

Then why the concern pinching at the corners of Lilian’s mouth? Why the fidgeting hands and the glint of unease in her eyes that contradicted her confident words?

He reached for the mug on the counter and started past Lilian.

“She doesn’t like being coddled, Neil.”

He knew that.

“But if it makes you feel better, you’re not the only one who freaked out a little when you heard.”

He knew that, too. “Here I thought I hid it so well.”

Lilian squeezed his arm as he passed. “I’ll text Indi, give her an update,” she called after him.

He nodded to the empty hallway in front of him, moved past the dining room, into the living room, and across to Maggie’s bedroom. Sydney was just stepping out.

“Oh, good.” She held her wind-ruffled hair bunched to one side in her fist. He assumed she’d left his coat in Maggie’s car, but that striped scarf still hung loose around her neck. “Maggie just sent me to reiterate the message she sent Lilian with.”

Right. He was supposed to buck up and face her.

But first . . . he should say something to Sydney. Tell her he was sorry their trip hadn’t given her any of the answers she longed for. Thank her for helping Maggie, getting her home.

But words stalled in his throat, pushed down by an annoyance he wished he didn’t feel. Of course Lilian was right and they couldn’t force Maggie to see a doctor. But maybe if he’d been there when it happened . . .

“Neil—”

“I should bring her this tea before it gets cold.”

With a bare nod, she moved to the side so he could pass.