CLAIRE

A call came on a Thursday morning. I was in my office reviewing fabric samples for the second clothing line when my phone rang.

Unknown number, but I picked up anyways. "Is this Claire Whitmore?" a woman's voice asked.

"Claire Cross," I corrected automatically. "Yes, this is she."

"Ms. Cross, this is Nurse Patricia Hammond from Rikers Island Medical Unit," the woman said carefully. "I'm calling regarding Vanessa Whitmore."

My hand tightened around the phone. Vanessa, the name alone made something twist in my chest, not love or hate, something more complicated than either.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice coming out steadier than I felt.

The nurse paused,...