Now, there was an interesting development. No one had mentioned a baby on the way. Maybe no one knew. “Thank you for keeping us up to speed. Every aspect of her life is important to our investigation.”
“Happy to help.”
Vera followed Franklin to Wilton’s room. The deputy on duty was not one of Bent’s. She showed him her ID and entered the room. The wall between the room and the corridor was glass, allowing the nurses an unobstructed view of their critical patients.
Alicia Wilton looked pale. The bandage around her head a vivid reminder of her injuries. Her dark hair was in bad need of a wash. The readout on one of the many machines keeping track of her condition showed a good, strong heart rate and blood pressure. The rest was Greek to Vera.
IVs were plastered to her right arm, so Vera approached the left side of the bed. She hadn’t planned what she would say. No need, really. No way to know if Wilton could hear her, but there were studies that suggested patients in comas could often hear what was happening around them.
“Mrs. Wilton, I’m Vera Boyett. I work with Sheriff Benton, and I just wanted to drop by and let you know that we’re doing everything we can to sort out what happened at your cabin.” Probably best not to mention that her husband was dead in case she didn’t know and could actually hear and assimilate the voices around her.
“The doctor says you’re doing really well, and we’re optimistic that you’ll be awake in no time. When you’re awake and feeling well enough, I’m confident you’ll be able to help us put the final pieces together.” Vera reached down and wrapped her fingers around the woman’s free hand. Her skin was cool. “We’re doing everything we can with what we have. You needn’t worry about anything. Your home is secure. We just want you to focus on getting better and waking up. We really need to hear whatever you can tell us.”
Anything else? Vera was aware of all the usual stuff folks said to those in situations like this, but she didn’t really feel comfortable tossing out any of those sympathetic expressions like “we’ll be praying for you.” Vera didn’t know Alicia Wilton from Adam’s house cat. The truth wasshe didn’t pray very often. With the kind of luck she and her sisters had, maybe she should start.
“I’ll check in on you again soon.” Vera gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “And congratulations on the baby.”
The steady beeping from the monitors abruptly grew frantic. Vera stared at the climbing number that reflected the patient’s heart rate. In the bed, Alicia began to shake as if her body was seizing. Vera stepped back, started to turn for the door to summon a nurse, but Alicia’s arms suddenly flew up, and Vera froze. She watched as the woman’s arms hovered in front of her in a defensive maneuver even as her body continued to shudder. The moaning sound that rose from her throat stole Vera’s breath. What was happening?
Two nurses appeared, landing on either side of the bed. Five seconds later Alicia Wilton was as silent and motionless as when Vera had first entered the room.
Vera pressed a hand to her chest. “Is she okay? Was my presence or my voice responsible for what just happened?”
One of the nurses shook her head. “This happens sometimes. We can’t be sure if the patient is dreaming or remembering. But it’s another indication that she’s trying to wake up.”
Vera relaxed marginally. “Thank you. I was worried it was me.”
When all Alicia’s vitals returned to normal, the nurses left the room, and Vera followed. She paused at the door and glanced back at the patient. Had she been trying to tell Vera something?
Feeling unsettled, Vera left the room. She acknowledged the deputy seated outside and made her way back to the elevators. Five minutes later she was in the parking lot, walking quite steadily toward Nolan’s car. Her balance appeared to be moving back toward normal. Thank God. Being in need of assistance for transportation was intensely frustrating.
When she rapped on the glass of the passenger side door, Nolan looked up from his laptop. He hit the Unlock button and tugged out his earbuds.
“I can’t believe it. Thirty-eight minutes.”
“Did you get your story written?” Vera ignored his jab about the time and settled into the soft leather seat. She fastened her safety belt and sank more deeply into the comfort his daddy’s money could buy in a luxury vehicle. Not only did Nolan have a very nice car, he had a very nice apartment, compliments of Daddy as well. She sent him a sideways glance. Nolan was a handsome guy. One of these days she might even see him anchoring some news desk.
Boggie would be so proud.
“The creative process takes time, Boyett.” He put his laptop away and started the engine. “Can we go home now?”
“We sure can, Nolan.” Vera closed her eyes. “Just watch those speed limits, please.”
“Yeah, yeah. You sound like my mother.”
Vera’s eyes popped open. She sent him a glare but decided it wasn’t worth the trouble of correcting him. Besides, she was still unnerved by the episode in Alicia Wilton’s room. Not to mention the news that she had sustained more than one blow to her head and, even more astonishing, was pregnant. There had been nothing about an impending arrival at the Wilton home. No nursery. No baby items. Nothing.
“We need to stop for food. I’m starving.” Nolan whizzed out of the parking lot.
Vera closed her eyes again. Feeling his frenzied driving maneuvers was more than enough to warn she wouldn’t want to look. Besides, the passing landscape made her nauseous. She supposed that aftereffect would be with her for another day or two. Damned concussion.
“You’re behind the wheel.” If he wanted to eat, she would try to get something down. Otherwise Bent would give her trouble about it. “Pick a place. Just be sure wherever you stop has a drive-through. I need to get back.”
She had work to do. Like finding a killer and keeping her little sister out of trouble.
Or maybe she actually had two killers to find. No matter that the murder weapon in the Wilton case had been found—with Alicia’s fingerprints on it, no less—Vera wasn’t so sure now that the new wife was the killer. Particularly after this latest news.
If the episode in her room was a memory, then Alicia had been trying to ward off an attacker, not to stab at unsuspecting victims.
