“Why leave his coat behind, if so?”
“He did not leave his coat behind.” Joseph played the words out slowly and stared out the window at the end of the hall. “He left the hospital coat.”
“Joseph. You must tell us whatever you know.” Hazel hadn’t heard that tone from Ruth since the breech birth in June. He turned to her, his dark eyes furious.
“He is wearing his own coat.”
Ruth’s lips were set in a thin, hard line. She crossed her arms and pushed her broad shoulders back. “How would he have known where to find it?”
“He asked me.” Joseph closed his eyes for a minute. When he opened them again there was a new, glittering hardness there. “Doctor Davies told him he was sick and could not go home yet. A man should have his own coat. It is my fault. I will find him.”
“Not on your own.” Lachl
