For a brief moment, Oliver flashed on Cindy, probably because of Maryam’s forceful personality. He missed her in ways he dared not admit to anyone, least of all himself. But there were times when he lay alone at night in his bed, just thinking…. He had summoned up the nerve to call her several days ago, suggesting a friendly, nonpressured dinner. To his surprise, she accepted. That was supposed to have taken place tonight, but Tarpin’s murder changed all that.

Marge spoke to him behind the fast-paced Maryam. “We look for Holt first?”

“Yeah.”

Marge stopped abruptly. “He’s not a current patient, and we don’t know the Baldwins’ filing system. How about we try a truce?”

“Be my guest. I’m never one to anger beautiful ladies.” He reviewed some options mentally. “How about if I go through the desks in their offices first while you ask her about the files? Plus, dealing with Holt may work to our advantage because he’s not a current patient. She may have fewer problems with confidentiality.”

Marge jogged to catch up with Maryam, and tried out empathy. “Please wait a moment, Dr. Estes. Let’s talk this out.”

“There’s nothing to discuss.”

“There’s a lot to discuss. Don’t you want to hear about it?”

No response, but Maryam halted in her steps. Folding her arms across her chest, she tapped an open-toe sandal, the red nails going up and down, up and down.

“First of all, I’m very sorry. This must be awful for you. Not only the Baldwins, but Mr. Tarpin as well. You can see why we feel there’s some urgency here. We’re doing this job first and foremost for your protection.”

Maryam stopped tapping. “My protection?”

Marge tried out a wide-eyed look of surprise. “Doctor, don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it. First it’s your bosses, then it’s Mr. Tarpin. Right now, we consider you at risk.”

Maryam was taken aback. “No one is out to get me.” Her voice wavered. “Why would someone be out to get me?”

“Why would someone be out to get Merv or Dee Baldwin? Or Hank Tarpin?” It was time for Marge to make her pitch. “I believe the answer is in those patient files.”

“I don’t agree.”

“With what?”

“That someone is out to get me! It doesn’t have to do with the practice. It has something to do with the nature camp—probably because of that man!”

“Tarpin?”

“Exactly!” She was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convert Marge. “The camp wasn’t my bailiwick. As I told you the first time, I primarily worked with Dee, doing testing and relaxation therapy for anxiety disorders.” Her jaw tightened, but now her eyes were nervous. “I actually had very little to do with Mervin. And nothing whatsoever to do with Hank Tarpin!”

“You didn’t like the man,” Marge stated.