Im not telling lies, she said. Im dying from something pretty harsh. Theres no transplant list to save me…nothing I can look to in order to make it better. Theres chemo, but Im not wasting the last bit of my life on being sick. I know the fear, Mr. Holcomb. But I think I can also say with a degree of certainty that I wouldnt want anyone else to die just so I might stand a better chance of living. Are you sure this is what your mother would want?

She saw some of the confidence leave his eyes. She was also vaguely aware of Jack standing to her left, just ahead of her. Hed not yet turned back to look at her, but she could only imagine what he must be thinking. As far as she knew, he might think she was telling lies to distract Holcomb. Truth be told, it would be an effective method.

I hear her when shes not even there, Holcomb said. The scalpel lowered again. Less than a foot away from him, Seth Dillinger leaned hard to the left side of the bed. He was nearly sitting up, the IV still attached as he did his best to stay away from being stabbed.

Youre trying to please her, right? Rachel asked.

Holcomb only nodded. A single tear came out of his left eye and trailed down the side of his face.

Does she know youre doing this? Three people already…does she know?

Holcomb shook his head. But there are less people on the list now…because of what Ive done. Shell have a better chance.

Theres a confession, without really even trying, Rachel thought. But before getting too distracted, she went on. She knew she had the hook in. Now all she had to do was reel him in.

Like I said, I know the fear. But I have to think she would not want you hurting people just to give her hope. Do you think thats really

Jack moved so quickly and unexpectedly that the suddenness of it even had Rachel take a quick step back. He took a big lunge forward and slammed a fist directly into Holcombs solar plexus. Holcomb went stumbling back into the wall behind the bed and though he did make an effort to slash out at Seth Dillinger, Jack blocked it easily.