Greer was also crying as she took her grandmother’s hand in both of hers and kissed it.
“You are here. You are beautiful,” Alish said, her voice quite strong.
“I came to see you.”
Sara glanced up at the camera in the corner of the room. There were machines all around. Alish had an IV in her arm, an oxygen tube at her nose, and a pulse clip on her finger. They had little time before they’d be run out of the room. “We’re trying to find out who killed Derek Oliver.”
Alish didn’t take her eyes off her granddaughter. “I did it. I sawed his head open and removed the brain. I rolled it up in a rug.”
If Greer was shocked by this, she didn’t show it. “In the turtle rug.”
“Yes.” Alish smiled, showing protruding teeth that had not changed since she was a girl. “He was hurting you and Reid. I couldn’t allow that. I had to stop him.”
“And you put the jewels in his skull,” Sara said.
Alish looked at her. “What jewels?”
Maybe it was the connection they had or maybe it was Greer’s blasé attitude at hearing a confession of murder, but Sara was sure she was lying. “Who are you covering for? Reid?”
Instantly, Greer got angry. “You think my brother is a murderer?”
Alish reached out and took Sara’s hand. “You must send her away. Protect her.”
When Sara looked at the hand grasping hers, she saw a tattoo on her forearm. It was so old she could hardly make out the numbers.4-12-44. “What is that date?”
“My wedding.”
“For the husband whose grave you won’t leave?” Sara asked.
Alish made no answer.
Sara felt like screaming in frustration at the lack of answers. She glanced up at the camera, then back down. “Are the dreams true? Do they come from you?”
“Yes.”
Sara spoke quickly. “There were two men. Then later, one drove you to a train station. He was the nasty one. The one on the horse.”
“Aran,” Alish said and her grip on Sara’s hand tightened.
“That’s James’s son,” Sara said. “He ran away, but you knew where he was. Did he make a movie?”
“Yes, he did. No, he didn’t.”
“What does that mean?” Sara’s voice showed her exasperation.
Again, Alish didn’t answer.
Feeling frustrated, Sara blurted out, “Why does someone want to hurt Jack?”
For the first time, Alish’s eyes showed shock, maybe even fear. “No, not him.” When her eyes widened, a machine began to frantically, loudly beep. “The mark,” Alish said. “The mark. This must stop.” She clutched Sara’s hand so hard it hurt. She was a very strong woman!
Seconds later, the room filled with doctors and nurses. Sara and Greer were pushed away. One nurse glared at Sara. “Whatever you said to her is about to kill her. Get out!”
Greer led the way through the crowd to the door, Sara behind her.
“All right,” a nurse said to Alish, then turned to Sara. “She keeps saying, ‘Tell her of the mark.’” The nurse glared at Sara and Greer. “I’ve never seen you two before. Let me see your badges.”
“Send me the truth!” Sara shouted loud enough for Alish to hear.
