“An infirmary?” Brill looked skeptical. “It doesn’t look like one to me!”

Miriam tried to imagine what an infirmary might look like in the Gruinmarkt, and failed. When were hospitals invented, anyway? she wondered irrelevantly as the elevator doors slid open, and a bunch of people came out. “Come on,” she said.

Ward fourteen was on the third floor, a long walk away. Brill kept glancing from side to side as they passed open doors, a hematology lab here, the vestibule of another ward there. Finally they found the front desk. “Hello?” said Miriam.

“Hello yourself.” The nurse at the desk glanced up. “Visiting hours run until eight,” she commented, “you’ve got an hour. Who are you looking for?”

“Olga Hjorth. We’re expected.”

“Hmm.” The nurse frowned and glanced down, then her frown cleared.

“Oh, yeah, you’re on the list. I’m sorry,” she looked apologetic. “She’s only taking a few visitors; we’ve got orders to keep strangers out. And she’s on nil by mouth right now, so if you’ve brought any food or drink you’ll have to leave it right here at the desk.”

“No, that’s okay,” said Miriam. “Uh, can you ask if she’s willing to see my friend here? Brill?”

“That’s me,” said Brill, miscueing off Miriam’s request.

“Oh, well—you’re on the clear list.” The nurse shrugged. “It’s just that somebody shot her.” She frowned. “She’s under guard. Spooks, if you follow my drift.”

Miriam gave her a sympathetic smile. “I follow. They know us both.”

“That way.” The nurse pointed. “Second door on the right. Knock before you open it.”

Miriam knocked. The door opened immediately. A very big guy in dark clothes and dark glasses filled it. “Yes?” he demanded, in a vaguely central-European accent.

“Miriam Beckstein and Brill van Ost to see Olga. We’re expected.”

“One moment.” The door closed, then opened again, this time unobstructed. “She says to come in.”

It was a small anteroom and there were not one but three heavies in suspiciously bulky jackets and serious expressions hanging around. One of them was sitting down reading a copy of Guns and Ammo, but the other two were on their feet and they studied Miriam carefully before they opened the inner door. “Olga!” cried Brill, rushing in. “What have they done to you?”

“Careful,” warned Miriam, following her.

“Hello,” said Olga. She smiled slightly and shifted in the bed.

“Excuse me,” the young nurse said waspishly. “I’ll just be finishing here before you disturb her, if you don’t mind?”

“Oh,” said Brill.

“I don’t mind,” said Miriam, staring at Olga. “How are you?” she asked anxiously.