“No. There were vitamin B shots, which I’ve already had the lab confirm,” Nester said. “She recorded many of the sessions, and I’ve watched them. Didn’t see anything unusual, and all of the scenario videos she has on her computer seem just fine.”

“I have no doubt Abigail kept two sets of records,” Laurel muttered. Most of the research was probably acceptable.

Nester shook his head. “You can’t really think she created a serial killer just to get your attention. Just so you two could work together?”

“I don’t know,” Laurel admitted. “I think it’s possible.”

“If she’s as smart as I suspect, then we’ll never prove it,” Walter said.

The nurse returned. “That’s long enough, Walter.” She appeared to be in her early twenties and had pretty brown eyes.

Walter sighed. “Okay. I’ll be back later. Walk out with me, Nester. The boss needs some sleep, whether she agrees or not.” He kept talking as Nester took over for the nurse. “I’m thinking I need to get in shape once I’m out of here. How about we create an office health initiative?” Their voices trailed off.

Laurel closed her eyes and counted the stars in their constellations.

“I can tell that you’re not sleeping.” Abigail said.

Laurel opened her eyes. “I was counting stars.”

“Which ones?” Abigail strode into the room in blood-red heels, wearing a black dress.

“The Seven Sisters.” The cluster had always interested her.

Abigail smiled, her red-painted lips curving. A mottled bruise on her cheekbone extended to her puffy eye. “How apropos.” She switched her clutch to her other hand. “I’m trying not to feel hurt by the fact that you had your goons turn my office and laboratory upside down.”

Laurel pushed the button so she was even more upright. “Are you succeeding?”

Abigail pouted. “Somewhat. You were shot, so perhaps you weren’t thinking clearly.”

Any decision her half sister made would be calculating rather than emotional. “You know what I think.”

“I do.” Abigail lowered her chin in a conspiratorial way. “You think I’m a sociopath or some other nice label who played with a young man’s head just for fun and that my experiment went horribly wrong.” She tsked her tongue. “But you’re incorrect. I’d never do such a thing. My time is much too valuable.”

She looked at a diamond-encrusted watch on her wrist. “I spent two hours this morning being interviewed by the police. I really had no idea Jason Abbott wanted to rent that greenhouse to grow black dahlias. He said he wanted it for plants and his business, and I frankly forgot all about it. The place is miles away from anything else on the property. Who knew he was growing those horrible flowers? I’ve never even seen a flower like that.”

So much for pinning Abigail down. “You’re dressed nicely.”