He nodded and grimaced in pain. “I’ve been praying that we get some answers. Maybe they will all be here.”
“You’re a believer?” Lainie asked, surprising herself with the question. She hadn’t been bold enough to ask such a question in a long time.
“Yes, I am. You?”
She nodded. “I’m kind of a failure at it. But I’m trying.”
“We’re all failures at some level. That’s why we need a Savior.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
“Because it’s true.”
Lainie didn’t have a comeback for that.
She parked the car and respected Ben a little more knowing where he stood spiritually.I am moving back to where I belong,she thought.
They met Shea and Collins in the hospital lobby. They stood with a third man. Shea introduced him as Detective Gardner, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, accident investigation. Next to Gardner on a small table was a banker’s box, the kind officers used to store belongings and/or evidence.
“Any change in her condition?” Lainie asked.
“Actually, maybe she’s a little bit better. They’ve begun the process of weaning her off the coma drugs. She hasn’t declined in the last several hours, and the swelling in her brain has decreased.
“We’ve hit dead ends on her next of kin,” Gardner continued. “We were able to contact next of kin for the two men who died in the car. But none of those we’ve interviewed can shed any light on what was going on, why Benton was bound, where the trio had been, and where they were going.”
“Have you been able to contact anyone who knows Benton, say from her work?” Lainie asked.
“No. We’ve left messages. But the address for her place of business is in Long Beach. I haven’t driven out there yet. I’m hoping you guys will be able to take care of that.” Gardner gestured to the box. “Here are all the personal belongings collected from the crash, both for Benton and the phones taken from the two deceased individuals. They’re damaged, but maybe they’ll prove useful to you. Also, the folder on top is the completed accident report.”
“Thank you,” Shea said.
Collins picked up the box. “Thanks for your help with this, and thanks for the report.”
“No problem. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
Gardner left, and the four of them headed for the elevator. It was late, past visiting hours. The ride to the Critical Care floor wasquiet. They exited the elevator to the waiting room. The Critical Care Unit itself was behind two locked double doors. To access this floor, a visitor would need to be with a doctor or nurse who could open the doors with a magnetic card, or there was an intercom through which a visitor could speak to a nurse on the floor and ask to be buzzed in.
“Her doctor said he’d come talk to us about her condition.” Collins handed Lainie the box. “Maybe you and Ben could rummage through this, check out the report and the nature of the belongings.”
Lainie took the box and set it on a small table in the waiting room.
Collins removed some disposable gloves from his pocket. “I think there are two pairs here. I always like to be prepared.”
Ben took the gloves. “Thanks.” He separated two pairs and handed one to Lainie. She was about to open the box when a doctor stepped off the elevator.
“I’m Dr. Hardin. Which one of you is Detective Shea?”
Shea stepped forward. “That would be me.”
“All of you can’t go in to see her. In fact, I don’t know if anyone should. We’ve been unable to locate next of kin.”
“Detective Gardner indicated that she might be getting better.”
“I’m guardedly optimistic. She’s not getting worse. The swelling in her brain is easing. It’s possible we can try and wake her up tomorrow, but I can’t say for certain. Is it necessary to see her?”
“She’s a suspect we need to speak to regarding an ongoing investigation. I need to document her condition and her status.”
“Okay, I understand. I’ll take you back, Detective Shea, but only you.”
