Vesta offered a faint smile. “I wrapped things up and came straight here.” The truth was, she hadn’t felt comfortable leaving things unsupervised. The meeting was barely halfway through when she slipped out of Neural Nexus Tech. She knew Thorne wasn’t required to attend the meeting Charlene was leading today.

Charlene and Thorne walked side by side out of the hospital room. Once they’d put some distance between themselves and the door, Charlene spoke first. “If you have something to say, now’s your chance.” Thorne glanced over at her. “My grandmother’s condition still isn’t stable. I’d like to put off

Two days later, just around noon, Charlene Ross and Gaylord Hearst were on their way to the cafeteria for lunch when her phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Thorne Henderson. Charlene glanced at the screen, hesitated for a moment, then answered. “Hello?” “Grandma’s awake.” A wave of relief