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  “I think she took the concept of palliative medicine a bit too far,” I said.

  “I should have realized something.” She was still wearing her wool coat, but she shivered. “I let her have access to all those patients. I was responsible for keeping them safe and I let them down.” She shook her head. “Not to mention that was negligent and I’ll probably lose my job, and Manor Associates could be hit with wrongful death lawsuits.”

  I didn’t know whether Marilyn Joiner had been negligent or not, but I felt obliged to reassure her somehow. “I know things look bad,” I said. “But trust me, I’ve been through a lot of bad stuff, and I know that if you just do your best things can get better.”

  The door behind us popped open and a pair of paramedics rolled Mr. MacRae past us on a gurney. “You hang in there,” I said to him. “Rochester wants to come back and see you as soon as you get better.”

  “You got a fine dog,” he said weakly, and then one paramedic opened the door and the cold air rushed in again.

  Rick came out to the lobby and saw Marilyn Joiner. “It looks like I’m going to be here for a while,” he said. “Allison Brezza’s parents have already called a lawyer for her, so I’ll be busy sorting her out after that. You can come in to the station tomorrow to give your statement.”

  “Sure. I’ll call Lili and have her come pick me up.”

  While I waited for Lili, I paced around the lobby. Was there anything I could have done to stop the train of events—to save any of the patients at Crossing Manor, or Felix Logato?

  I looked up at the wall at the photo of the woman with the scrunched face, the one who the poster said was having a stroke. Some things just happened, I thought. I had done what I could to bring comfort to the patients who had petted Rochester. I had tried to help Felix as best I could. That had to be enough.

  Outside, I saw Lili pull up in front of the building, and then Rochester hopped out of the front seat and followed her up to the door, which I opened for them.

  Rochester romped over to me. He put his front paws up on my knees and licked my face. I leaned down to rest my head in his fur. “Rascal’s in the car,” Lili said. “But I thought you’d want to see Rochester.”

  “You were right,” I said, looking up again. “I wanted to see both of you.” I took a deep breath. “I had it wrong. I thought whoever stole the potassium had to work at the vet’s office. It wasn’t until a couple of days ago that I even considered it could be someone who brought a dog or cat in.”

  “You aren’t the cop,” Lili said, taking my hand. “It wasn’t your responsibility.”

  “I know. But if I’d figured it out sooner, maybe fewer people would have died.” I sat up. “And then there’s Felix. I wish I could have helped him more.”

  “I’d say you have your hands full,” Lili said. “You have me, and Rochester. You have your job at Friar Lake.” She squeezed my hand. “You’re a good man, Steve. But you can’t take on the problems of the world by yourself.”

  Rochester pressed his body against my thigh. “Not by myself,” I said. “I have Rochester to help. And you for backup.” I leaned over and kissed her, and Rochester did his best to snuggle between us.