The Silence That Speaks (Forensic Instincts 4)

Madeline set down her unfinished cup of coffee and took her tray to the trash and recyclable area. Her shock and hurt had started to ebb and transform into anger. This was ridiculous. If Jacob thought she was going to slink off like some guilty child who’d broken a family heirloom, he had something else coming.

She marched into the administrative wing and through the doors that led to the executive offices.

Sue, the receptionist, was cataloging some data sheets.

“May I help you?” she asked without looking up.

“Yes, Sue, you can.” Madeline waited until the receptionist’s head had popped up, an awkward expression crossing her face.

“Madeline.”

“It’s nice to know someone remembers my name,” Madeline said. “Good to see you. Now I’d like to see Jacob.”

Sue fidgeted in her seat. “He has back-to-back meetings all day long.”

“Fine.” Madeline walked over and sank down into one of the waiting area chairs. She crossed her legs and picked up a magazine. “I’ll wait.” A pointed pause. “For as long as I have to.” She turned to the magazine’s table of contents.

“But...” Sue was clearly out of her depth. She picked up the phone and pressed an extension, speaking quietly to the person at the other end.

Madeline didn’t need to guess who that person was.

Sure enough, the door next to Jacob’s opened, and Janet walked out.

“Madeline,” she said cordially. “I didn’t think you had healed enough to come back yet.”

“Yet? Or at all?” Madeline gave her a bright smile. “There have certainly been some changes since I left.”

Janet’s expression was frosty. “Well, as you know, we’re in the middle of a crisis.”

“I’m very well aware of that.” Madeline rose. “I’d like to discuss that very crisis with Jacob. And he must be between meetings because I distinctly heard his voice through the office door. He must be on the phone.”

“If he is, then he’s far too busy to see you.”

“Let’s ask him ourselves.”

Before Janet could stop her, Madeline strode over to Jacob’s closed door. She skipped knocking and just turned the knob and pushed open the door.

She stepped inside, Janet hot on her heels.

“What is it?” Jacob snapped without looking up.

“It’s me, Jacob,” Madeline replied. “It’s time that you and I had a little talk.”

26

JACOB’S HEAD CAME up, and he stared at Madeline warily.

“It’s your first day back, Madeline,” he said, recovering his authoritative demeanor. “I assumed you’d be busy reacquainting yourself with the E.R. patients and with your responsibilities. Besides, we have nothing to talk about.” He shot Janet a dark look. “Please show Madeline out. And I’d appreciate if you and Sue would do a better job of screening my visitors.”

Madeline shook off Janet’s hand as soon as it touched her arm. She was getting angrier and angrier as the moments passed.

“No one is escorting me anywhere,” she informed Jacob. “I’m not leaving this office until we’ve spoken. How long that takes to accomplish is up to you.” She turned to Janet. “You can leave now.”

Uncertainty flashed across Janet’s face. She glanced from Madeline to Jacob.

“Go.” Jacob waved her away. “And shut the door behind you. I’ll handle this. The last thing this hospital needs is another scene.”

r /> Reluctantly, Janet did as she was told—although Madeline was quite certain that the gossipmonger was standing outside with her ear pressed tightly against the door.