“Never saw him. Was stooping over. He was behind the door.”
“I don’t know, either!” She hunched her shoulders up, made an O of her mouth. “Maybe he was still here in the apartment when I came back and found you. Maybe—” she glanced fearfully at the closet.
The doctor opened the closet door. A light came on inside, automatically. There were a half-dozen neckties on a rack on the inside of the door, but no intruder. “As I suggested before, my dear young lady, it would be wiser if you called the police. I will be required to report the assault, in any event.”
Ruth said in a very small voice, “I’d rather not. Not right now. Mister Vine?”
“I’ll take care of it.” I sat up. “How much I owe you, Doc?”
They both rushed at me, pushed me back on the bed.
“You must not try to get up,” she scolded.
The doctor nodded vigorously. “She’s right. You have a good nurse. Mind her. I’ll be back later to—”
“Hey! Wait!” He’d turned, headed for the door. “I’ve got too many things to do—”
“You’ll sleep,” he said. “Nothing else is as important to you as sleep. Good morning, Miss Moore.”