The taller one touched his ear.
Lauren’s training woke up like a wire pulled tight.
Same height, same stance, dry jackets.
They had parked under the awning and waited.
They had watched this child walk through the storm.
Her mouth went dry.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Lauren whispered.
“Josie.”
“Josie, I’m going to kneel down now. I need you to keep looking at me, not at them. Can you do that?”
The girl nodded once.
Lauren knelt on the cold marble.
Josie’s face was inches from hers.
Up close, the girl’s lips were purple with cold. Her whole body shook.
Dr. Greiss’s voice cut across the lobby.
“Nurse Pierce, do you have somewhere else to be?”
Lauren did not turn.
“Pierce, I asked you a question.”
Dr. Brandt laughed.
“Leave her alone. She’s about to adopt them.”
The others chuckled.
Lauren did not hear them.
