Chapter 40: The Answer Given

At six forty, Evan's schedule reminded Su to check the spare batteries. Qing read the alert off the pharmacy tablet. "He has been imprisoned for eighteen days and remains capable of assigning chores." "He scheduled it in July." "His tyranny has excellent continuity." Su opened the drawer beneath the rear clinic sink. Four sealed packages sat beside Evan's label maker. She moved the oldest to the front, because he would ask, and because no one else in the building would think to. Qing went to answer the pharmacy bell. Su left the drawer open. The schedule had gone on without him. Replace water in the emergency kit. Charge flashlights. Check Su's pulse after cold rain. Call his parents on Sunday. Small orders issued months ago by a man who now slept behind iron. The last thing she had said to him was an order too. Tell me what you chose.…