“I’m fine.” Tommy negated his claim with a racking cough. He fell back against the exam table, exhausted. “I’m fine, Dr. Dani,” he wheezed. “Just fine.”

Dani lifted her brows. “Really, Tommy? That’s what you’re going with?” The older man had already survived two bouts of pneumonia. This was his third.

Edna, his street companion, shook her head. “He’s a stubborn fool, Dr. D.”

Tommy set his mouth as stubbornly as described. “Shut up, Edna. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine.” Scarlett Bishop pushed away from the wall in impatience. She had a soft spot for Tommy and Edna, who’d lived on the street for years. But every time she or Dani tried to get them into housing, the pair would return to the street. “You promised me that you’d listen to what the doctor said. Tommy, you promised.”

Tommy looked away. “Not goin’ to a shelter.”

“No,” Dani said softly. “You’re going to the hospital, Tommy. You’re really sick. You have pneumonia. Again.”

Edna’s sigh was heavy. “The winter was too hard on him. You’ll go to the hospital, Tommy, and that’s that.”

“Tommy.” Dani met his eyes, hoping like hell that he saw the truth in hers. “If you want to see the summer, you will go to the hospital. Detective Bishop will take you. Won’t you, Detective?”

Scarlett nodded. “Absolutely. Please, Tommy. I’ve gotten used to seeing that face of yours. I want to see it—and you—on your stoop this summer.” She gave the man a sweet smile. “Please? For me?”

He sighed. “What about Edna? Where will she go tonight? She can’t be alone on the street, and somebody could hurt her if she goes to the shelter.”

“She can go to the hospital with you,” Dani said. “Tell them she’s your wife.”

Edna snorted. “I ain’t his wife. I’d’a killed him years ago if I’d married him.”

Dani chuckled. “Just say it, Edna. They’ll probably bring in a comfortable chair for you to sleep in and give you a breakfast tray in the morning.”

Edna rolled her eyes. “Okay. Just this once.” She glared at Tommy. “Don’t you be gettin’ any ideas, old man.”

“Wouldn’t think of it.” Struggling to sit up, Tommy accepted Dani’s gloved hand, grunting his thanks. “Fine. I’ll go.” He wagged a finger at Scarlett. “But only for you.”

Scarlett’s smile was relieved. “Thank you. Come on. I’ll take you and Edna to County right now.” She helped Tommy down from the exam table and into the wheelchair he’d been put into the moment he’d walked into the clinic.