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“Almost done,” Madeline says cheerfully. She’s kneading the pad of one of Dr. Venn’s thumb. The professor has his eyes closed and his expression alternates between pain and relief.
“Thank you for bringing him a hot lunch,” she says. Dr. Venn doesn’t have his earphones on, so he can’t hear us. “Some days he forgets to eat at all. I appreciate you looking out for him, Halli.”
“Can I ask you something?” I’m not sure if it’s the wrong thing, but lately I’m never sure. I decide to just go for it. “Someone just said something about a Dr. Sands.”
Madeline isn’t so cheerful anymore. “Dreadful business. Please don’t ask my grandfather about that.”
“Okay, but … can you tell me anything? This person said he came in here healthy and left dead.”
Madeline scoffs. “Is that what they say now? I s
