“Yeah...speaking of that,” Kait giggled, “I was thinking maybe we could dress up Audrey’s room while she’s sleeping. Put some polished wood slats all around the bed, bring in candles and big floral arrangements...we could play some hymns real softly in the background...”

“You are pure evil,” I laughed. “Oooh—we could put satin all around her on the bed...”

I hadn’t noticed Donna coming toward us, frowning with more ferocity than usual. “Shouldn’t y’all be done with meds? You’re at least ten minutes behind.” She locked her gaze on Kait. “You finish alone. Ronni and I need to discuss some things in my office.” She spun on her chunky Payless heel and headed off without another word.

Donna closed the door behind me more forcefully than necessary. I cringed and waited for her latest heart-seeking missile.

“Ronni, your deposition tomorrow is right before mine. I presume you’re not going to tell Mr. Ratliff anything that could render us liable in Violet’s death?”

“There’s nothing I could tell him that would show any negligence, Donna. Violet went to that room on her own. She died of natural causes. I’m sure the suit will be dropped after our depositions, because Herb has no legal grounds to come after Fairfield.”

She tapped her bright red fingernails on the desk. “So you’re an attorney now?” Donna leaned back and crossed her arms under an ample bosom straining against navy polyester knit. She exhaled slowly, staring at a space in the distance.

“No, but it’s obvious we did nothing wrong.” I offered my brightest smile, and she returned it with the warmth and sincerity of a low-level driver’s license office employee two minutes before lunchtime.

Donna leaned forward, punishing her desk chair into a series of loud squeaks. “You’re not still writing that book, are you?”

Of course I was. Trying to work on it and keep up with my job was stressing me beyond anything I’d ever known. “It’s a hobby, Donna. Just a hobby. I enjoy writing.”

“A book about one of our residents might get you fired, Ronni, and you could find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit of your own.”

“I’ll take my chances,” I announced. Donna’s face fell like she’d been hit by a giant Botox dart. “I’m not doing anything wrong,” I continued, “and you know I’m the hardest working nurse on your staff. There’s no reason to threaten me.”

“How about this?” Donna held up her hands in mock surrender. “You show me what you’re writing, and we’ll decide if you should continue.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why the hell not?”

“I can’t say. Trust me, though, I can’t show it to you or anyone.”

She shook her head. “This hobby of yours is going to cost you everything, Ronni.”