"His phone log is clean, but that doesn't mean anything. My bet would be on him using a burner phone. Celine Moody McAllister is tight with him, and her husband, Alden McAllister, works nights. She leaves Reed's home before Alden would be due to leave his job," Zach said.
Ford tapped his pencil against the wood. "Boss, I was thinking, what about putting some pressure on Cecile Dufour? Maybe her hubby's predilection for their daughter is news. We aren't sure, but it does pass the smell test. Dr. Gerba said she was shocked and furious when Elizabeth told her Viola was pregnant. Hal didn't appear shocked at all. Distraught, yes. Shocked, no."
"Wait until we rule out a settlement. Then, if there aren't other flags, do it." Martin's head pounded. The ibuprofen did nothing for the ache. "Moody?" The name nagged at him.
"Yeah, boss," Ford said.
"Check to see if the Moodys are a long-time Silverton family. I'll ask my mom too. I remember one. Triplets—they would be in their fifties." His headache was fouling his memory. "Anything about the third substance found in Elizabeth's system?"
"No," Mike said.
Martin concluded the meeting and initiated a discussion with the branch division heads and their seconds-in-command. The rest of the company's business needed to continue. The readiness despite the weariness on the faces of the men remaining around the table reminded him of the heavy burden each carried.
Wednesday, July 16th
Martin rushed to the pediatric recovery room. "How is she?"
Lola's tiny head was covered by a pink cap, with a blue fish sticker pasted to her forehead measuring her temperature. A tube entered one nostril to breathe for her, and one in the other nostril went into her belly. Little monitor pasties attached to her chest, and a bulky bandage covered her belly.
"Can I touch her?"
Joyce sat beside an isolette, bleary-eyed. "With the portholes. The surgery went as well as possible. Kat and I removed eighteen centimeters of intestine combined." At the nurse's station, she drew a sketch to describe Lola's situation. “She's not out of trouble. Can you find her history? It might give us a better idea of her future. She’s facing a lot of hurdles, and her growth is part of it."
He addressed the question Joyce seemed to avoid. "She may die?"
Joyce rested a gentle hand between his shoulders. "It’s a possibility."
"Thank you, for the surgery and the honesty." Two fingers held Lola’s hand. "Daddy is here, Lola. You're going to be better soon." His Adam's apple bobbed in his throat. "I'll always protect you.” He turned toward Joyce. “Is she in any pain? She's so still."
"She’s under heavy sedation. No pain. Any dead intestine isn't good. Surgery on a baby like Lola is a huge strain—she'll be in the ICU for a while. This is a marathon, not a sprint. There are going to be ups and a lot of downs before this is over. All you can do is be patient and love her."
"The easy part is loving her. She won't be in the isolette all the time?"
Joyce's hand covered a weary yawn. "No, you should be able to hold her soon. Let me bring her to the PICU. I need some sleep. Kat Archer is on call tonight. I told her to call me for anything. Pat went to check on Austin and Elizabeth again, then he’ll take me back to the hotel."
Janice and Trask, dressed in the casual uniform of black shirts and khaki slacks, joined them. Both shook Martin's hand. "Janice and I will treat her like our own."
Josh Stone sat reading in the corner of Austin's room, while Tess and Seth remained vigilant. Austin's eyes flew open the minute Martin walked in. "Shaun was here. He told me they’re going to arrest Elizabeth. She wouldn't kill anyone. Marty…the crutches."
"I'm fine. Just humoring the doctors."
"Marty." As Austin sat up without using the bed to help, pain wracked his features.
Seth vaulted across the room. "Hey, Austin, lie back."
Austin shoved Seth hard, desperate to convey information. "Stop. Marty, please just answer me. Did you find anything about the man in the ditch? The one I spotted the day I was shot?"
"I'm working on it." Martin tried to placate him.
"I swear, Marty." Austin grew more frantic.
"I believe you. Josh is here to answer your questions. Listen to him and the PAs." He held Austin's hand until he fell back asleep. Josh reported Austin was more agitated and confused tonight. “How many times did he ask about the man in the ditch?"
"Often. This behavior is expected with the loss of oxygen and emotional trauma. The ICU and some of the meds can worsen the confusion, in particular after sundown. Josh is terrific at keeping Austin oriented. Give him time." Seth's eyes settled on his now peaceful patient.
Jamie covered Martin with a blanket and dimmed the room's lights. "We sent out more samples. The Flecainide levels will come back in the morning." Jamie took his blood pressure, and Eric placed a thermometer under his tongue. Martin rolled his eyes but didn't fight.
At 0400, while Martin slept, Jamie repeated his assessment of Elizabeth. Her pupils constricted briskly. "We've got a reaction." On the battlefield, and in private practice, Eric and he both learned that at times it was a matter of faith. Patients predicted to survive died, and others given no hope lived.
