“But just a little while ago, there was another big incident at Lythania General."


    Seeing Abby so uncharacteristically cheerful, Ste yed along.


    "What happened?"


    "They say the man who shot Leonard managed to sneak back into the hospital- despite all the tight security-and tried to kill him again..."


    Ste''s brow furrowed. "Tried to kill him again?"


    Abby nodded. "That''s what people are saying. Apparently, he disguised himself as a nurse and stabbed Leonard a second time."


    This wasn''t the kind of news sshed across the trending headlines; Haynes had picked it up through other, less conventional channels.


    After all, Leonard being attacked was no small matter, and letting the wrong people get wind of it could only make things worse.


    Leonard had made plenty of enemies over the years. If word got out, not just the hitman but anyone holding a grudge might seize the chance to finish him off.


    Abby paused and let out a long sigh.


    "That Leonard... he''s got nine lives. Even after all that, he still isn''t dead. Honestly, I''m starting to wonder if the killer was even trying to finish the job. Maybe they wanted Leonard to suffer... After two murder attempts, he can''t be in great shape. He might end up an invalid."


    "He''s made so many enemies, and as head of the Lerman family, life''s only going to get harder for him. I guess what goes aroundes around. At least it feels like a little justice has been served."


    But Ste didn''t look the least bit pleased. Instead, she seemed lost in thought.


    Abby caught the change in her expression. "Star, did something just ur to you?"


    Ste said quietly, "Don''t you think it''s all a little too coincidental?"


    "Coincidental?"


    "We just had a close call here, and then Leonard gets attacked again over there." Ste looked straight at Abby. "What if someone close to us... is getting revenge for us?"


    Abby froze, and unbidden, a certain someone''s face shed through her mind.


    She blurted out, "Foreman!"


    Ste studied her. "Why do you think it''s Foreman?”


    Abby replied, "He''s been really busy thesest few days. He pops in


    and


    , but mostly he''s goneel?ont


    quickly as hees."


    She hesitated, then added, "And he''s been acting differenttely. I think he''s


    ming himself for what happened to you."


    Abby could see the guilt and regret etched on Foreman''s face.


    After all, Ste had been abducted while preparing a special meal for Foreman.


    Ste sat in silence for a few seconds. "It wasn''t his fault."


    If it hadn''t been for Foreman''s protection, Leonard might have gotten to her long ago.


    Abby knew that too. Foreman had been gravely injured trying to keep Ste safe; he''d already done more than anyone could ask.


    After a few more minutes of quiet conversation, Abby stood up. "I''ll go get Dr. Burton to check on you, and let Haynes and the others know you''re awake."


    "Haynes and Neville are still at the hospital."


    Joshua hadeft early to tie up some loose ends, and Foreman hade


    by that morning, but since Ste was nconscious, he''d gone back to


    still


    work.


    Haynes and Neville, on the other hand, hadn''t left the hospital at all.


    Abby had barely opened the door when she was surprised to find two people standing on the threshold.


    They seemed about to knock; both had their hands raised.


    They froze for a second when the door swung open unexpectedly.


    As Abby realized who it was, her expression cooled.


    Standing before her were none other than Ste''s father, Skyler Williams, and her brother, Jonathan Williams.