“Ms.Prescott.”Phillps’s voice was grave but not unkind.“I wanted to update you on Ms.Cross’s condition and let you know what happens next.”
“How is Pamela?”Sam asked.
“Broken femur, concussion, some bruising and lacerations.The doctors say she’ll recover fully, though the leg will require surgery.”He paused.“She’s been lucid since arriving at the hospital.She confessed to both murders and the attempt on your life.She gave a full statement.”
Sam closed her eyes briefly.“Both murders.”
“Margaret Brennan and Gerald Parker.She confirmed she used crushed blood thinner tablets in Dr.Brennan’s coffee.She was on warfarin herself for a heart condition, so she had ready access.”
“What about Gerald Parker?”
Phillips’s tone shifted slightly.“She says he didn’t realize he’d witnessed her near Dr.Brennan’s coffee.He’d told her he didn’t understand what he was seeing at the time.He’d thought maybe Pamela was helping Margaret out by adding cream or sugar.But after Dr.Brennan died, the more he thought about it, the more it worried him.He’d apparently called Ms.Cross and asked her about it, thinking maybe there was just an innocent explanation.”
“I see.”
Phillips added, “Ms.Cross seemed genuinely distraught over Mr.Parker’s death.She said she never meant for anyone else to get hurt.”
“But she was willing to hurt me,” Sam said quietly.
“Yes.”Phillips didn’t soften it.
“What happens to Pamela now?”
Phillips said, “Once she’s stable enough, she’ll be arrested and formally charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.Her attorney has already indicated she intends to plead guilty.”
After they hung up, Sam sat staring at her phone.Aiden returned to the sofa, but he didn’t sit as close as before.He seemed uncertain, as if the interrupted moment had made him second-guess himself.
“She confessed to everything,” Sam said.“She’ll plead guilty.”
Aiden nodded.“That’s good.Clear resolution.”He rubbed the back of his neck.“Listen, I should probably let you rest.You’ve been through a lot today.”
“Don’t go.”The words came out before Sam could think about them.“Please.I don’t want to be alone right now.”
His expression softened.“Are you sure?I don’t want to—”
“I’m sure.”Sam pulled the blanket more tightly around her shoulders.“But I’m terrible company right now.I’m shaky, and I can’t promise I’ll make good conversation.”
“I don’t need good conversation.”Aiden settled back onto the sofa.“I just need to know you’re okay.”
