“I’m fine Delia,” Ellory said, trying to soothe his horrified graduate assistant. “How did you find out about the heat wave? Were you checking the weather for me?”
“Of course I was! I should be there.”
“Yes, you should,” Ellory agreed with a sigh, rubbing his forehead. “But you need to be with your family right now, and I understand. None of this is your fault.”
“That doesn’t really help the situation, but thanks anyway.” Ellory chuckled into his cup. “Have you, I mean, how bad is it?” The barely-censored concern made Ellory’s lip curl up.
“You don’t have to worry that much,” he said, perhaps a bit too sulkily. “Listen, I’m really— well, I’m not alright, but I’m…”
“You’re a thermophobe stuck in a hot city in the middle of a heat wave without anybody to help you,” Delia deadpanned. “T
