Page 26 of Bargain with Fate
I was born under a blood moon.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” he said. “I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day.”
“It’s no problem. What’s the deal with Ronald?”
“I’ll show you.” He opened the door to the condo and motioned for me to enter first. Always a gentleman.
He guided me down a short hallway to the bedroom at the end. An elf lay beneath a sheet.
“He looks asleep,” I whispered.
“It’s closer to a vegetative state.”
I was confused. “This seems more like a medical issue than a security issue.”
“I don’t think so.” Dr. Adam picked up a folder from the top of the dresser. “This is Ronald’s chart. He’s always been healthy. He started sleeping more than usual, then the weight loss started.”
“Okay, that happens when someone becomes ill. What makes you think there’s a nefarious reason for his condition?”
“It was quick and drastic in nature, and there’s nothing in his test results that shows any kind of illness.”
I thought about the shadow that attacked Darlene. Could the same shadow be slowly killing Ronald? If so, then why kill her so quickly and brutally but leave Ronald to suffer?
“Would you mind if I check something?” I asked.
“That’s why I invited you here.”
I turned off the light, then directed the flashlight on my phone at the bed. The lumps of Ronald’s shadow appeared on the wall. I switched the light back on.
“What kind of test was that?”
“I wanted to make sure his shadow was intact.”
Dr. Adam’s brow furrowed. “Dare I ask?”
“Zachariah said you found Darlene Garvey.”
“That’s right.”
“Did you happen to notice anything unusual in the condo when you were there?”
“You mean aside from the deceased? No, nothing comes to mind.”
“The window in her bedroom was slightly open when I went to look around. Do you recall if it was closed when you were there?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t notice the window. I was too focused on Darlene.”
“Can I trust you with confidential information?”
“I’m a healer, Maya. Confidentiality is an integral part of my practice.”
I lowered my voice. “When Zach revived Darlene, she said a man’s shadow killed her.”
“Maybe she only saw his shadow?”
“That’s what I thought at first, but now I believe it was an actual shadow.”
Dr. Adam’s gaze shifted to the elf, not on the shelf, but in the bed. “And you thought the shadow might belong to Ronald, and that’s why he’s wasting away?”
