Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Just as Phelps had predicted, Timothy could turn a blind eye to almost anything- but not this.

"I understand. I'll be there right away."

Naylor let out a sigh of relief. He still didn't know what crime Timothy had committed to land himself in jail, but after hanging up, he immediately called Phelps.

Phelps wasted no time, bringing a group along to wait for Timothy.

Before leaving, Timothy instructed the female doctor to take good care of Jessica. Leaning in close, he murmured to her, "I have something to take care of, but I'll be back soon. There's still so much I need to tell you. Wait for me."

He gave her a long, searching look before turning to leave.

Jessica's throat still burned painfully; she didn't protest as the doctor examined her.

The woman was here at Timothy's request. He didn't know about her cancer- Jessica had told him she'd coughed up blood, and presumably, that was the story he'd given the doctor as well.

So the doctor checked her throat carefully.

Jessica remembered all too well how, just two nights ago, her vocal cords had vibrated violently. Time and again, somewhere deep inside, she'd wanted to scream out in protest, but...

Herbert had warned her not to rush her recovery, to take things slow. Her vocal cords had been unused for too long; she couldn't afford to strain them.

After a thorough look, the doctor frowned. "The lining of your throat is badly inflamed. There's swelling around the vocal cords. I need to give you an anti- inflammatory shot."

She put away the laryngoscope and peeled off her gloves, continuing, "You'll also need some oral and topical medication. I didn't bring one of the medicines you'll need, but there's a pharmacy nearby. Wait here for me—I'll be back soon."

Jessica nodded.

doctor stepped out, Jessica slipped quietly after her and left as

alley and sent

hands shook when he saw her

actually managed to slip away right under

asking for her location, then sped off to pick her

his mother's headstone

nearby, setting out flowers and offerings at

as he knelt to inspect the

had been smashed with considerable

or anniversary-why would his father bring

break was fresh, the edges sharp and

carefully, and soon spotted a heavy sledgehammer hidden in the

approached Naylor, eyes narrowed like a

uneasily under

intense stare. Timothy had

always been formidable-his

was enough to make even his own father

you here all of a sudden today?" Timothy's tone was hard, unmistakably