Evelyn closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, then straightened and sat taller. Her eyes brightened, and she released Cressida’s hand. She slowly stood and straightened her cardigan, composing herself, both figuratively and literally.
What had just happened?
Cressida had a few moments alone with Evelyn, without Braden or anyone else listening. Now could be her only chance to learn more if Evelyn was holding back. “Please tell me what I need to know.”While there’s still time.
Pain suddenly carved into Evelyn’s face. “Please, I need to call my doctor.”
She thrust her cell into Cressida’s hands. “His number is in my contacts. The landline is in my room, or there’s one downstairs.”
Hands shaking, Cressida grappled with the phone. She wasn’t familiar with this one and struggled to find the contacts.
Deputy Riker entered. “You’re interfering with a crime scene. I need to—”
Evelyn Monroe collapsed against him. He grabbed her and gently lowered her to the floor next to the bed, then radioed for an ambulance.
“I’m calling her doctor.” Cressida raced from the room. Instead of searching through the many doors to find Evelyn’s room, she bounded down the stairwell, then found the landline phone at the base of the stairs.
Punched in the number and waited.Come on. Pick up, pick up,pick up.
She got the answering service. “I’m calling on behalf of Evelyn Monroe. She’s collapsed and has asked for her doctor. We’ve called for an ambulance. Please let him know. He can call me on my cell.” Cressida gave her number.
Because she wasn’t leaving this woman’s side.
“I’ll give him the message.”
Cressida ended the call. She raced back upstairs where Evelyn still rested on the floor. Deputy Riker had placed a pillow under her head and put blankets on her. Such an awkward place for her to land. Evelyn was awake but struggling to breathe. A panic attack? A heart attack?
Lord, whatdo I do to help her?
She dropped to her knees and grabbed Evelyn’s hands. “Tell me what I can do.”
“In my medicine cabinet. Glyceryl...” The rest of her sentence was garbled.
“Which room?”
Evelyn tried to explain, but her words were incomprehensible. Cressida bolted up and hurried down the hall and through the ridiculously big house looking for the room that could be Evelyn’s bedroom. She entered what looked like the room of this grand woman, in terms of size and decor, and then rushed to the private bathroom. Swung open the medicine cabinet and found too many pill bottles to count.
What had she said?
Glyceryl. Cressida got it. Nitroglycerin was used for angina. She must be having an attack. Finding the glyceryl trinitrate, she raced out of the room, down the hall, and found Evelyn sitting up in a chair, but she still looked pale and weak. Deputy Riker stood next to her.
Cressida held out the bottle. “Glyceryl trinitrate?”
“Yes, yes. I need one. Please.”
Cressida glanced up at the deputy. “A glass of water. Get a glass of water.”
He nodded, then disappeared through the door.
“I can take it without water. I need it now.”
Evelyn put it under her tongue, then closed her mouth and eyes, her features relaxing.
“If there’s anything else I can do, anything else you need, please let me know,” Cressida said softly.
“Usually, the attacks aren’t so severe. This ... this could be something more.” Evelyn opened her eyes. “I think ... I think I’ve made a mistake. I ... I’m so sorry, my dear. I haven’t told you the whole truth.”
Deputy Riker rushed into the room with a glass of water. “The ambulance is here.”
