A tall, statuesque man leaned against the car, a cigarette perched between his lips. Pale blue-gray smoke curled in the air, blurring his features, but not the penetrating gaze that slid over herthe man's coat draped over her shouldershis expression inscrutable.

Christopher glanced instinctively at Charlotte before turning to Julian. "Mr. Hawthorne, are you waiting for someone?"

Waiting for someone...

Claire hadnt been at the hospital for hours. Who ...