I forced myself to sound as composed as I could while repressing my anxiety. "As I mentioned earlier, I've been having stomach problems. Isn't it common to throw up? I can only imagine how bored you must be to be standing here listening to me."

"Is it really just stomach issues?" she questioned, suspicion and danger gleaming in her eyes.

"What else could it be?"

"It ought to be," she said, somewhat persuaded.

As I finished washing my hands ...