"And miss the best gala of the season? Never," Dr. Hemlock clapped Knox on the shoulder.
It appeared like he had done it a dozen times.
"Besides, I wanted to personally congratulate you on the Golden Bay expansion. That's what… your sixth luxury property this year?"
"Seventh, actually."
Knox's smile held pride. It appeared like the smile that was reserved for sharing victories with close friends.
"The Changeling Resort opens next month."
"Impressive. Though I have to say, I'm more interested in discussing your Kentworth City Tower. The research facilities you're building out there would be perfect for our expanded trials."
Research facilities?
Are the children being tested in Knox's buildings?!
My stomach twisted.
No, it's impossible.
Knox signaled a waiter for fresh drinks.
"We can talk specifics over lunch next week. But yes, the KC property has the infrastructure you need. Medical-grade ventilation, secured floors, private elevators. Everything on your specifications list."
"You always deliver, Knox," Hemlock accepted his whiskey with a nod of thanks. "That's why I recommended Humphries Hotels to the board. They were concerned about discretion but I told them Knox Humphries doesn't just protect his clients' privacy. He makes problems disappear."
His words were casual as if he was joking.
But they were very heavy for me.
'Makes problems disappear.'
Like protesters.
Like pediatric surgeons who asked too many questions.
"And Mrs. Humphries," Hemlock turned to me, his smile widening. "You look absolutely radiant this evening. That dress is stunning."
I forced myself to swallow my rage and smile back at my murderer and play the part of the gracious socialite wife.
"Thank you, Dr. Hemlock. That's very kind."
"Knox has mentioned you're feeling much better lately."
"Yes, much better," I kept my voice light and neutral.
"That's wonderful to hear." Hemlock's attention shifted back to Knox. "So about KC Tower - when can we schedule a proper tour?"
As Knox and Hemlock fell into easy business discussion, I stood there smiling politely, playing my role, while my mind screamed with recognition I couldn't acknowledge.
You killed me, you murderer! How dare you show your face in public like you just killed a fly!
But I couldn't say any of that.
Not yet.
Looking at them casually conversing triggered a memory I'd been too distracted to notice before.
I think it was four months ago. The hallway was busy. There were nurses, residents and visitors all moving with purpose.
And there, near the elevators, I'd seen them.
Knox and Hemlock. Standing together like this, casually talking.
At the time, I'd barely registered it. I thought Knox was just being a businessman meeting someone at the hospital for some administrative reason. And Hemlock was a doctor. Of course, he'd be at the hospital.
I was too focused on my patient to really process what I was seeing.
But now seeing them together again, it made me wonder.
Did they already knew each other even back then? Had Hemlock been using Humphries Hotels for his research operations?
The pieces seemed to click in place.
What if Knox was involved? What if he'd been providing facilities for Helcure work even when I was still alive?
The thought made me dizzy.
I'd been so busy investigating the pharmaceutical angle, tracking drug shipments, documenting patient reactions, building my case against Helcure, that I'd never thought to look at the hospitality connection.
'Did you know?' I wanted to ask Knox. 'Did you know what Hemlock was really doing with your hotel rooms? Or were you just providing space and asking no questions, as long as the money was good?'
"Mrs. Humphries?"
Hemlock's voice pulled me from my thoughts. He was looking at me with polite concern.
"Are you all right? You seem a bit distracted."
I realize I'd been staring at them both. My expression was probably far too intense for casual small talks.
"I'm sorry," I forced a smile. "Just a long evening. All these events blur together for a while."
"I can imagine," Hemlock's tone was sympathetic. "Knox keeps you busy with the social circuit, I'm sure. All these galas.. These fundraisers…"
"It's part of the territory," Knox said. His hand found my lower back in that now-familiar protective gesture. "But Elodie's been handling it well. Haven't you?"
Elodie. The name's still foreign.
"Yes, of course." I looked up at Knox, then back at Hemlock. "Though I confess, I don't always understand the work being celebrated at these events. Dr. Hemlock, Knox mentioned you're in pharmaceutical research?"
It was an innocent enough question. The kind of polite inquiry any spouse might make about their partner's business associates.
But Hemlock's eyes sharpened slightly, even as his smile remained pleasant.
"Yes, I head up Helcure's Southeast Asian Research Division. We focus primarily on developing treatments for rare diseases."
Knox glanced at me with mild surprise.
Hemlock however, was studying me with more focus now.
"Various conditions, really. Metabolic disorders, genetic anomalies, things that primarily affect pediatric patients." His tone remained friendly but with a new quality. "Why do you ask?"
'Because you murdered me while I was trying to save those pediatric patients!'
But I couldn't say that. I could just shrug delicately and offer a society-wife explanation.
"I've just been trying to understand Knox's work better. So how does these trials work? Where do you conduct them?"
Knox's hand tightened slightly on my back.
"We have several research facilities throughout Southeast Asia. The logistics are quite complex actually… finding patients, providing accomodations, ensuring proper medical oversight."
"That must require significant resources," I pressed, unable to stop myself. "Where do the patients stay during the treatment?"
Now Knox was definitely concerned.
"Elodie, maybe we should…"
"It's all right," Hemlock interrupted smoothly. "I'm happy to explain. Actually, your husband has been instrumental in providing these facilities. Humphries Hotels has partnered with us to offer specialized accommodations for our research participants."
The world tilted.
It cannot be…
"Your hotels?" I looked at Knox, my carefully maintained composure cracking.
'Please don't tell me it's true.'
Knox frowned, clearly confused by my reaction.
"Yes. It's a partnership we established.."
But I couldn't hear any of it.
All these lies.
These connections…
"Elodie? Knox's voice sounded far away. "Elodie, you need to breathe…"
But I couldn't.
I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. I couldn't process the magnitude of this.
The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Knox's face.
The face of the man I loved.
The face I no longer recognized.