“No, no!” Jack assured them. It had never occurred to him that Calvin might think such a thing. “I had no association whatsoever with the patient. I had never seen her, met her, or knew anything about her. The origin of this mess is my new baby boy.”

Jack hesitated a moment to let his statement sink in. Immediately, he could see a softening in the expressions of both men, particularly with Calvin, whose concern instantly replaced his anger.

“I’d like to ask one thing before I reveal what I’m about to,” Jack said. “I would ask that it doesn’t leave this room. It is a highly personal matter.”

“At this point I believe you will have to let us decide,” Bingham said. “If this suit goes forward, we could easily be deposed. If that were to happen, you can understand that we might not be able to honor a promise we make to you.”

“That I understand,” Jack said. “Short of being deposed, I would trust that you could keep Laurie’s and my secret.”

Bingham looked at Calvin. Calvin nodded in agreement.

“Is the baby okay?” Calvin demanded hastily.

“Unfortunately, no,” Jack admitted, and the moment he did, there was a catch in his voice. “I know you are aware Laurie has not returned from maternity leave as originally planned.”

“Of course we’re aware,” Calvin said impatiently, as if Jack was deliberately extending his story.

“Our child is gravely ill,” Jack managed. He’d not told anyone about JJ, for fear that the mere telling would somehow make the situation more real. Jack had been using a kind of denial as a way of dealing with the shock since JJ’s diagnosis.

Jack hesitated while he took a few deep breaths. Bingham and Calvin waited. They could see Jack’s jaw quiver and knew he was fighting back tears. They wanted to hear more details but were willing to give him time to collect himself.

“I know I haven’t been myself work-wise over the last three months or so,” Jack managed.

“We had no idea,” Bingham interrupted, suddenly feeling guilty about coming down so hard on Jack.

“Of course you didn’t,” Jack said. “We’ve told no one other than Laurie’s parents.”

“Do you mind telling us the diagnosis?” Calvin asked. “I suppose it’s none of our business, but I’d like to know. You know my feelings about Laurie. She’s like family.”

“Neuroblastoma,” Jack said. He had to take another deep breath to continue. “High-risk neuroblastoma.”

A hush fell while Bingham and Calvin digested this revelation.

“Where is he being treated?” Calvin asked gently, breaking the silence.