that it never comes from your enemies
―anon
Dissembler
Denial is a funny thing. I knew Sylvie had made some kind of unholy alliance with Sloane Kettering, but also saw she was wavering and uncertain.
I embellished that thought and imagined she was vacillating in her loyalty to Sloane and was having second thoughts about spying on me.
And I was wrong.
Paige showed me the video proof of her going through my files and photographing material. I think Sylvie's betrayal hurt more than Sloane trying to defeat me by destroying my reputation and possibly even killing me.
What possible reason could an intelligent girl like Sylvie have that would make her want to harm me?
Later that night, I was turning all these things over in my mind, sitting in my den before the fire with Paige and trying to come to terms with things.
"You're still thinking about Sylvie, aren't you?"
I had been staring at a burning spar and Paige's voice jerked me back to reality.
"Uh, sorry―yeah, I can't get over how betrayed I feel."
"You sure there's not a bit of male ego involved? The girl is really quite beautiful."
I coloured. "Oh, there probably is―men are vain and I'm no exception. But honestly, Paige, you know how you can get a vibe from someone―well, I don't think Sylvie means harm toward me. I know it doesn't make sense, but some things you can't fake."
She nodded. "I get it. Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts, but what if they're wrong? The girl could be feeding Sloane information that could get you killed. She has to be stopped."
"I know," I moaned, " it's just hard to accept."
At that moment, Paige's cell buzzed and she picked up.
Her face went pale. "I'll be there in half an hour. You need some support right now."
"We've got to go to the campus health centre―Nigel's girlfriend overdosed and he's beside himself."
"We'll take my SUV. We can talk while I drive."
"Can this day get any better?" she moaned as we got into my Santa Fe and headed back downtown.
"Is this the girl that Nigel met just after joining the team?"
She nodded. "Nigel's shy around women and I was so happy for him. but from the little he's told me about her, she's a lot more street-wise than he is. Nigel wouldn't experiment with recreational drugs―hell, he wouldn't even take an aspirin for a headache."
"He obviously looks to you as a mentor." I consoled her. "It's pretty significant that you're the person he called for support."
"I know," she whispered, "he looks up to me and I don't want to let him down."
"You won't―you've always been there for me," I said, feeling my throat tighten and eyes grow moist.
We spent the remainder of the trip in silence―she worried about Nigel and I worried about her and feeling unable to offer real help.
I let her off at the door to the clinic and drove on to campus parking a few blocks away.
As I walked back to the Health Centre it occurred to me that Paige was always in some way a casualty of other people's misfortune. She picked up the pieces after my ski accident and supported me and never complained―and now she was showing the same compassion with Nigel.
The girl was almost a saint and I was too blind all those years to see she suffered as much as me from my accident and subsequent missteps. She stood beside me even when I insulted her best friend and during my feud with Sloane Kettering that cost me the Department Chair.
Nigel was fortunate to know Paige and I was one lucky guy who finally realized what she really meant to me.
When I entered the Health Service I went straight to the emergency section where I saw Nigel and Paige sitting in the waiting room.
"Everything okay?" I asked, anxiously.
Paige hugged me and looked relieved. "The emergency physician just informed us that Rosaline is out of the woods and in the recovery room for observation. They'll probably keep her overnight, but she'll be fine."
Nigel came over and extended his hand to shake mine. "Thanks for coming, Prof―I really appreciate it."
I ignored his outstretched hand and impulsively hugged him instead.
"We were worried about you, Nigel and I'm glad everything's going to be all right."
He seemed embarrassed by the fuss but I could see he appreciated the support.
"I'm going to stay the night just to make sure," Nigel replied, "she's sleeping now, but I want to be here when she wakes up."
"Can I get you something from the coffee shop? it's going to close in a few minutes."
"Sure, Prof, " he smiled, "a coffee would be nice."
I clapped him affectionately on the shoulder and went off in search of coffee, sandwiches and donuts. I knew Nigel. He couldn't last the night without fortification.
When I got back with the provisions for Nigel's all nighter, Paige looked disturbed. I was about to ask her what was the matter, but she gave me a sharp glance and shook her head.
Something was wrong but apparently Nigel was unaware. He was already attacking the roast beef and melted cheese sandwich and sipping his extra-large coffee.
Paige rubbed Nigel's shoulder and smiled. "Well, we better be going―we both have morning lectures, but if you need anything, call."
"I will," Nigel managed to say between bites of his sandwich, "Thanks for coming."
She grabbed my arm and walked out to the parking lot with me.
"What was that all about?" I asked when we were safely out of earshot.
"Just give me a minute, Cole," she whispered, trying to gain control of her feelings.
We got in the SUV and exited the lot. When we were on the highway, she finally turned to me and explained.
"While you were at the coffee shop, Nigel and I were talking. He's so in love with this girl, Cole―he opened his wallet and showed me a photo of her."
"That's great!" I enthused,
She shook her head and gave me a sad stare.
"No, it isn't great," she moaned, "Nigel's girlfriend is Sylvie."