Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl



Tania's demeanor softened as they began to discuss her parents. "What do you want to know?"

"You said your parents are infected too, right?" Pearl asked.

Tania nodded. "Yes, it's been a month, and they're not getting better."

Tania felt worried and helpless. Their bodies were weak and couldn't fight the illness much longer.

"How does hurting Esther help your parents?" Pearl questioned.

Tania looked around nervously. "I know it doesn't help them, but it makes me feel better."

"So, you're just trying to get back at someone, right?" Pearl had studied psychology, so she noticed that Tania's reaction seemed off, like she was hiding something. It definitely had something to do with her parents.

Tania didn't want to keep talking. "What other questions do you have? I've told you everything, so you can call the police now."

Pearl saw that Tania actually wanted to be arrested, but Pearl had other plans. "I'm not going to call the police. I'm going to treat you well, and we'll see what happens."

Tania turned pale. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said," Pearl replied, pointing to the nurses' station. "Okay, I've asked all my questions. You can go back to work now."

Tania was surprised. "What? You want me to go back to work?"

"Yes. Why? You don't want to?"

Tania was at a loss for words. "But after what I did, don't you hate me even a little?"

"Go back to work. I'll tell you more later." Pearl gestured dismissively, and the doctor added, "Go back to work if she says so. Why are you still sitting there? I'm going to cut your pay if you waste more time."

Tania went back to work.

After she left, Doctor Hanson approached Pearl, puzzled. "Pearl, why didn't you call the police after what she did? What if she tries to hurt Miss Esther again?"

Pearl took a sip of water, feeling thirsty after all the talking. "Do you think she would try to hurt Esther now?"

The doctor looked out the window where Tania seemed stunned and unlikely to do anything rash. "I don't think so... But I think what she said made sense. I would have taught her a lesson if I were you."

Pearl calmly responded, "I'm glad you found out in time and nothing happened to Esther. Otherwise, I wouldn't let Tania get away. But we're not just letting her off, we're planning something bigger."

Doctor Hanson realized something. "I get it. You think someone is behind Tania Saddler, and you're trying to expose them."

Pearl nodded approvingly. "Exactly, but we can't tell anyone about this yet. I'm not sure if I can trust you."

The doctor wiped his sweat, feeling the intensity of Pearl's stare. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

"Good. Just you, me, and your students know about this, no one else," Pearl confirmed.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Then, remembering her task, she left and went back to Esther's room, bringing the latter's food along.

Meanwhile, Wayne had been busy with the lab, so Pearl hadn't asked him to help with the investigation. Richard had taken on the task and quickly gathered information about the nurse's background, recent whereabouts, and even her messages.

In the hospital garden, Pearl read the message Richard had sent earlier. "So, Lawson Enterprises, specifically Lorrie Dent, is behind this."

Richard nodded. "If I'm right, Lorrie gave Tania a reason to act."

"But only Esther knew about our new medicine. If their plan works, it'll delay the medicine's release." Pearl was puzzled. "Tania was Esther's nurse, so she knew. But why would she risk her own job?"

Richard agreed. "You have a point. Tania's parents are infected too, and their condition is serious."

"Exactly. I don't understand why she would do that. Her parents wouldn't be cured. From what I hear, she seemed to care a lot about them," Pearl reflected, confused by Tania's actions. She rubbed the bridge of her nose.

Richard offered a bold guess. "I think... This is just speculation, but Lorrie might have a cure for the infection."

Pearl was stunned. "What?"

"I think Lorrie knew about the outbreak before it started, and she might have even created the virus," Richard explained.

"That's a big accusation," Pearl said, intrigued. "But it's possible."

Richard paused, thinking deeply. "But we don't have proof that Lorrie did all this."

"You're right. But it's worth investigating Lorrie more," Pearl decided.