“I do not like this side of you that thinks he’s allowed to manhandle and tease,” Somers shouted back, his voice distant now. “One or the other, please.”

“Happy Fourth of July,” Hazard called as the door to the garage shut.

Hazard got Evie ready, dropped her at Cora’s, and drove to Wahredua Regional. The holiday had manifested in red, white, and blue bunting, miniature American flags, and paper decorations in the shape of fireworks that some patriotic soul had taped to the walls. Near the elevators, a laser-printer sign announced RIBS! PULLED PORK! COLE SLAW! JOIN US IN THE DINING HALL FOR A TASTE OF AMERICA! If the smell were anything to go by, the taste of America would be lemon disinfectant and chrome polish.

Visiting hours were already in effect, so Hazard took the elevator up and made his way to see Darnell. The big man was in a room with two beds; he occupied the one near the door, while a woman with inch-long turquoise nails took the other. She waved at Hazard, twiddling the nails at him, and popped her gum.

“Hiya, doll.”

Hazard ignored her and took a chair by Darnell.

“Well,” gum-popper said. “Rude.”

“That’s Sheila,” Darnell said.

“Good for her,” Hazard said, studying Darnell. The big man’s color was better, although he still had the dark circles under his eyes. “Why are you in here?”

“Heart attack. They said I’ve got three blocked—”

“No, in here.” Hazard stabbed a finger at the other bed. “With Sheila.”

“Insurance,” Darnell said with a shrug. “If you’re not a town hero, they don’t provide special accommodations. Most people’s insurance only gives you a semi-private room.”

“There’s no such thing as semi-private,” Hazard said. “Either something is private, or it isn’t. This isn’t. This is a fucking nightmare.”

“It’s not so bad,” Sheila said. “Donny and I have all sorts of great talks. I put on my stories, and I tell him about everybody because Donny hasn’t ever seen General Hospital. Can you believe that? Tell him, Donny.”

“Who the fuck is Donny?” Hazard said.

Darnell raised his hand discreetly.

“Jesus Christ,” Hazard said.

“And then Ellen comes on,” Sheila said, “and I like to tell Donny about her dancing because he can’t see her. That’s usually when he gets tired, though, and he has to close his eyes and rest for a little while.”

“Does your TV not work?” Hazard said, glancing up at the wall-mounted unit.

“Uh,” Darnell said, glancing away, a flush lighting him up behind the beard.

“It’s too loud with both of them,” Sheila said, popping her gum again. “It’s so much easier if I just tell him what’s going on.”

“All right,” Hazard said. “That’s enough of that.” He stood up and pulled the curtain.

“Hey, no fair. Donny, we had a deal—”

“For the love of God,” Hazard snapped, dragging the curtain back so he could stare at Sheila for a moment. She shrank back in the bed, turquoise nails pressed to her face. “Be. Quiet.”