Candace’s remark was the first reference to Kevin’s lunch outburst since its occurrence. Kevin’s pulse quickened.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he said. “I’d been upset before your comments.”

“Then come meet Horace,” Candace said. “His recovery is fantastic. He’s doing so well, in fact, that an intensive-care nurse like me is just about unnecessary.”

“I wouldn’t know what to say,” Kevin mumbled.

“Oh, it doesn’t matter what you say,” Candace said. “The man is so thankful. Just a few days ago, he was so sick he thought he was going to die. Now he feels like he’s been given a new lease on life. Come on! It can’t help but make you feel good.”

Kevin struggled to think up a reason not to go and then was saved by another voice. It was Melanie.

“Ah, my two favorite drinking buddies,” Melanie said, coming into the room. She’d caught sight of Candace and Kevin through the open door. She’d been on her way to her own lab down the hall. She was dressed in blue coveralls which had ANIMAL CENTER embroidered on the breast pocket.

“Are either of you guys hungover?” Melanie asked. “I’ve still got a little buzz. God, we went through two bottles of wine. Can you believe it?”

Neither Candace or Kevin responded.

Melanie looked back and forth between their faces. She sensed something was wrong.

“What is this—a wake?” she asked.

Candace smiled. She loved Melanie’s outspoken irreverence. “Hardly,” Candace said. “Kevin and I are at a standoff. I was just trying to talk him into going over to the hospital to meet Mr. Winchester. He’s already out of bed and feeling chipper. I told him about you guys, and he’d like to meet both of you.”

“I hear he owns a string of resort hotels,” Melanie said with a wink. “Hey, maybe we can finagle some vouchers for complimentary drinks.”

“As appreciative and as wealthy as he is, you could very well do better than that,” Candace said. “The problem is that Kevin doesn’t want to go.”

“How come, sport?” Melanie asked.

“I thought it would be a good idea for him to see the good side of what he’s been able to accomplish,” Candace added.

Candace caught Melanie’s eye. Melanie understood Candace’s motivations immediately.

“Yeah,” Melanie said. “Let’s get some positive feedback from a real, live patient. That should justify all this hard work and give us a boost.”

“I think it will make me feel worse,” Kevin said. Ever since getting back to the lab, he’d been trying to concentrate on basic research to avoid facing his fears. The ploy had worked to an extent until his curiosity made him call up the Isla Francesca graphic on his computer terminal. Playing with the data had had an effect as bad as the smoke.

Melanie put her hands on her hips. “Why?” she asked. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s hard to explain,” Kevin said evasively.

“Try me,” Melanie challenged.

“Because seeing him will remind me of things I’m trying not to think about,” Kevin said. “Like what happened to the other patient.”