She was concentrating so hard that it was a moment before she realized there was a hand on her shoulder. Seeing it was Jasmine, she tilted her head to press the paper-gloved fingers to her cheek. Like her Jasmine was wearing a gown, a hat, and shoe covers, obligatory protection when visiting this ward. “Are you OK?” she asked.

“I guess.”

They hadn’t spoken about the violin again; there was nothing they could say to make the loss of Joel’s precious gift any easier to bear.

“Leanne’s still here,” Jasmine said, “and Dan and Henry have just arrived.”

Claudia didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t worry, they know they can’t see her, but I think they wanted to lend some moral support.”

Claudia nodded distractedly. It was kind of them, but her mind was suddenly more focused on the individual, or individuals, who’d come to her home and done this. Faceless and nameless they might be, but her hatred for them was consuming.

“How did the surgery go?” Jasmine asked, sounding as though she was afraid of the answer.

Bringing herself back to the moment, Claudia said, “Quite well apparently. Another is scheduled for tomorrow.” She glanced up as a nurse came to check the bank of computers behind the bed. So much technology, all of it playing a vital role in keeping her mother steady and out of pain.

She’ll pull through, the surgeon had said, but it’s going to take time.

Pressing a kiss to her mother’s good hand, Claudia stood up for Jasmine to take her place. “Talk to her,” she said. “She’ll want to know you’re here.”

After removing her protective clothing and disposing of it, Claudia went in search of Henry and Dan, who, in her bizarrely dislocated state, were feeling like people she used to know from a long time ago.

A nurse directed her to the BICU waiting room, which wasn’t far from the secure doors to the ward, and as she entered both men rose to their feet. Henry looked so pale and shattered that she felt a bolt of irrational anger toward him. It wasn’t that she didn’t know the situation was serious, how could she not, but seeing it reflected in Henry’s eyes was making it more real than she was willing to accept right now.

“Claudia, my dear,” he said, coming to envelop her. “I hope you don’t mind us turning up like this. I just had to be near, even if I can’t see her.”

“It’s lovely that you came,” she told him, aware of the slight shake in his arms.