Jax evaluated the way Gretchen fell back and continued to cry. “Do you think the damage to her brain could’ve affected her body, too?” Jax crossed her arms over her chest and tried to look much calmer than she felt. Too many things weren’t adding up. Dr. Melendez said she was doing great, but everything about Gretchen set warning bells off in Jax’s mind.

“I’m not overly concerned, but she needs to be evaluated, regardless.”

“She’s writing,” Amanda said excitedly. “Every word is clear, and her handwriting is exactly how it always was.”

Jax thought immediately of the letters. “Exactly the same.” Her thoughts wandered to her early morning with Meredith and whether she was right in assuming Gretchen had gotten rid of the many letters Jax had written her.

“That’s very good.” Dr. Melendez made a note. “I’m a bit envious of your handwriting and pad. I have to write so small to fit everything on this.” She put the memo pad back in the pocket of her white coat. “Later this afternoon I’d like to do a thorough evaluation to determine what we’re dealing with in terms of her amnesia.”

“So you think she really has amnesia?” Everyone turned to Jax.

Dr. Melendez furrowed her brow. “That much is obvious.”

“What does the evaluation entail? Will it harm her?” Amanda said.

Gretchen held up her paper. Jax read it over Dr. Melendez’s shoulder.

Questions to determine memories and things like that.

“It will be tiring, but all I will do is ask a series of questions to determine her memories, mental state, and things like that.”

Jax frowned at the similarity between Gretchen’s words and Dr. Melendez’s description.

Dr. Melendez continued, “I’ll need you both to be present.”

“Why?” Jax said loudly.

“How else will I know if her answers are correct? Can you both be back here around four?”

Jax looked at Amanda and wondered if she saw Gretchen’s note, too. She shrugged when Amanda did.

“Great. I’ll see you both then.” Dr. Melendez left the room.

Jax had a million questions and needed to understand more of what was going on, but she had to get to work. She checked the time and realized she’d have to speed to make it to her meeting on time.

“I have to get going,” Jax said, turning her back to Gretchen and leaning into Amanda. “Keep me updated, will you?”

Amanda’s solemn nod told Jax she wasn’t the only one who noticed Gretchen’s odd behavior.

Chapter Twenty-five

15 days, 19 hours, 2 minutes