“What about Mr. Benfatti?” Jennifer asked, rapidly switching the subject. She’d suddenly remembered stories of so-called angels of death, healthcare serial killers, who also were the ones who “found” their victims after the fact, sometimes to try to save them.

“What about Mr. Benfatti?” Veena questioned, startled.

“Did Nurse Wad-something happen to find him as well last night?” Jennifer asked. She knew the answer would be no, but she had to ask it anyway.

“No,” Veena blurted. “Mr. Benfatti wasn’t on this floor. He was on three. I don’t know who found Mr. Benfatti.”

“Ms. Hernandez!” a voice called from behind Jennifer. Startled, Jennifer turned and looked up. It was Head Nurse Kumar, who’d walked over from the central desk.

“I’m afraid Ms. Chandra has to get back to her patient. Also, I called down to Mrs. Kashmira Varini to let her know that you were here. She asked me to ask you to come by her office. She said you knew where it was. I’m sure she can handle any more questions you might have.” Nurse Kumar motioned for Veena to return to her charge.

Both Jennifer and Veena stood.

“Thank you very much,” Jennifer said. She reached out and shook hands with the woman and was surprised that her hand was like ice.

“You are welcome,” Veena said hesitantly, reverting back to acting like a shy girl. Her eyes darted self-consciously between the two women. “I’ll get back to work.”

Jennifer watched her walk away, lamenting just how little she’d be able to eat and how much she’d have to exercise to have an equivalent body. She then turned her attention and acknowledged as much to Nurse Kumar: “A beautiful woman.”

“You think so?” Nurse Kumar questioned stiffly. “You do know where Mrs. Varini’s office is, I trust.”

“I do,” Jennifer agreed. “Thank you for your help in allowing me to speak with her.”

“You are entirely welcome,” Nurse Kumar said, but she then abruptly spun on her heel and headed back toward the nurses’ station.

Sensing a snub of sorts, Jennifer walked over to the elevators. She thought briefly of asking to see her granny’s room but changed her mind. She knew it would look like any hospital room, just upscale. When the elevator came and she boarded, she noticed the guard who’d come to the floor earlier did, too. She was clearly being treated with great suspicion.