"Yes, and, Sterling, this is Pat Hedges. He's a visiting trauma surgeon."
"Pleasure to meet you. I'll have my fellow double-check her clotting factors. And then we are a go. I prefer to do this with informed consent. Do we have someone? Next of kin?"
"Her father is former Governor Talbot Reed. I'll make the call." Pete's shoulders slumped.
Patrick and Steven stepped into the corridor. "Martin, speak to me, what's going on with the two of you?"
"Elizabeth and I, we have a history. She was my first, and if I have my way, she'll be my last. I love her."
"She’s suffering from an aneurysm—the ballooning of a blood vessel inside her brain. The fall aggravated an old injury. It’s leaking. Why she fell is a mystery."
"Zach is overseeing our forensics people at her house. Kenny had the police collect anything obvious." Martin forced his shoulders back.
"Pete is notifying her next of kin." Steven looked down.
"Oh, this sucks. Her mom died about six months ago, and her dad...their relationship is complicated."
"Complicated?" Patrick sounded uncertain.
"They are estranged. She hasn't spoken to him since January."
They stepped back as Elizabeth was wheeled into the trauma room. Martin’s face showed despair as he grasped her stiff fingers.
Patrick said, “According to the hospital records, he's listed as next of kin."
As Elizabeth was being tended to, Governor Talbot Reed was on his way to the church where an early Sunday service was being dedicated to Viola Dufour. Julian sat in a back corner recording the comings and goings. The minister stood at the podium. "Friends, we have gathered here on our Sunday Sabbath to praise God and to witness our faith."
The service proceeded with prayers, psalms, and blessings. Julian noted a group of teen men and women accompanied by their parents. The kids all wore the same red, white, and blue jackets with their gymnastics' center name embroidered on the left chest. No one else appeared to stand out.
"Today, as we praise God, we will remember one of our own lost to us. Our sister, Viola," the minister prayed.
Hal Dufour spoke about his only child, "Viola was my world. I never met a more loving person in my life. Viola made me a more caring person. I don't know what I will do without her. I loved her so much."
Julian swallowed down the bile. Hal’s tone reflected what he thought a man would say about a wife, not a child. It bothered him that the speech didn't indicate a shared loss with Viola's mother.
Viola's mother rose with the support of a dark-haired woman sitting beside her, but Julian couldn't get a clear look at the woman's face. Another man sitting with them helped walk her to the pulpit. Cecile Moody Dufour spoke about a happy and loving child. She shared stories from home, school and her fondness and dedication to gymnastics. Grief-stricken, she lashed out at the "doctor whose carelessness took away my sweet Viola." She wished her “baby girl” peace. Julian again found it strange when Talbot Reed rather than her husband helped her to her seat.
After Cecile concluded her remarks, the minister offered more prayers, then ended with a final dismissal. Julian noted the time of the funeral and the restaurant where the reception was due to be held on Monday. He was preparing to pull away when Governor Reed ran out and climbed into his town car. The surveillance team broadcast the governor's sudden departure.
"Damn." Julian's Bluetooth buzzed. "Mon frère, I was about to call you. Talbot Reed just hit the exit for the hospital. We’re on top of him."
"Let him come. I'm in the ER with Elizabeth. She's...she's sick. He's her father. She's..."
"Martin, breathe. I'm coming. Ian just landed. Hold on."
"Where is Elizabeth Reed?" the imperious voice of Talbot Reed reverberated through the halls.
"Sir, we cannot release information about patients," the receptionist in the ER tried to explain.
"Young woman, you people called me. Do you know who I am? I am Governor Talbot Reed, and Elizabeth Reed is my only child," he roared.
Martin approached. "She's in the trauma room."
"Well, look at what the cat dragged in. Marty Bailey. Here you are. Shouldn’t you be with your brother, not near Elizabeth? What is it, twenty years and still sniffing around my daughter?"
Martin counted to ten in his head, refusing to take Talbot's bait. "Governor, Elizabeth is very ill. Please, for her sake, do what's right for her. As far as being apart for twenty years, I believe you bear that responsibility." Martin sounded ice-cold.
"Governor Reed, I'm Pete Walter. We spoke on the phone. Please come this way," he intervened before the argument intensified.
