“Kill, maim, or torture, it doesn’t matter.She needs out,” Miss Pelton argued.
By the time they arrived at Longview, the only plan they agreed on was convincing Nurse Abbott to allow them to visit Nora.From there, it would depend on what they discovered.
Nurse Abbott rose from her desk at their entrance.“Mr.Beaumont, you’re early ...and you brought friends.”
Miss Plane jutted out a hand.“Hi, I’m Theresa Plane.We’re here to visit Nora.”
Sympathy softened the aging lines of Nurse Abbott’s face.“I’m sorry, dears, but she’s not allowed visitors, and even if she were, there are too many of you.It would not do to cause her cerebral excitement.She hasn’t experienced any paroxysms since her arrival, but she still could.”Her gaze shifted to Ezekiel.“I was sorry to see her admitted.It can’t be easy to have your mother and your fiancée here.”
The looks Nora’s friends sent him danced between surprise, pleasure, and one he was quite sure meant a maelstrom of questions and censure.Even Detective Hall arched a brow.
Nurse Abbott continued, oblivious to the disconcertion she’d stirred.“I thought you’d like to know how Miss Davis fared, so I checked on her this morning.”
He’d always liked Nurse Abbott.Maybe he could lean into her sympathies to find a way to help Nora.“Thank you.I haven’t stopped worrying about her since I heard the news.Is she still in isolation?”
“She’s been transferred to a regular room.She and your mother were sitting together in the dayroom when I last saw them.”
His next breath came easier.Ma may not be much help if Mrs.Reed intended danger, but at least Nora wasn’t alone.
Nurse Abbott glanced at the others, then pulled him aside.“I shouldn’t be doing this, but Miss Davis wanted me to pass a message to you.I’m afraid she believes the man her mother attacked last week is the same man Miss Davis attacked Friday.”
Ezekiel stiffened.Adler had been here?“Were there any witnesses to this attack?”
“Several nurses, orderlies, and patients.They all confirmed it was unprovoked.”
“Detective Hall, come here.”Maybe this would be the proof they needed to get Nora released.“Detective Hall is here on police business.He’s investigating the incident that brought Nora here.Can you share with him what you told me?”
As Nurse Abbott finished, Detective Hall turned to a new page of his notebook.“Can you provide me a list of the witnesses?”
Nurse Abbott frowned.“What has Mrs.Davis’s attack to do with Miss Davis?”
“I’m afraid Miss Davis’s case is more complex than a bout of hysteria.A witness can confirm whether the attacked man is the same one lying in the hospital.I also need to question Mrs.and Miss Davis about the details surrounding their attacks.Today.It cannot wait.”
Miss Pelton, flanked by Miss Plane and Miss Gibson and their suspiciously eager grins, interrupted the conversation.“Would it be possible for us to have a tour?It would help us feel better about Nora’s comfort and care.”
Poor Nurse Abbott.Her confliction about who and what to answer showed in her wringing hands.“I suppose a short tour can be arranged, but any interviews must be approved by Dr.Chalfant first.His secretary can make you an appointment.”
“Thank you.We’ll visit his office after the tour.”
Her resigned sigh accompanied her waving over a second nurse to manage the desk.She skipped most of the normal tour and took them directly to the fourth floor.She showed them the dining room, staff and patient bedrooms, a sitting room, and the library.While she’d shown them each of the other rooms, she merely gestured toward the dayroom before moving on.
Miss Plane stopped and rested a hand on the doorknob.“So Nora’s in here?”
Nurse Abbott rushed back and shooed Miss Plane away.“Yes, but seeing you might excite her too much, so we’ll have to leave it unvisited.”
Miss Gibson was quick to slide in from the other side and twist the knob.“What if you crack the door and we peek through?”
Nurse Abbott yanked Miss Gibson’s hand free and scowled.“No.It isn’t wise.”
If they didn’t stop this game, Nurse Abbott would kick them out.
“Please.”Miss Pelton clasped her hands beneath her chin.“You don’t understand our anguish in knowing she’s suffering.She’s like asister to us.Until I see her with my own eyes, the image in my head of her broken, lonely, and crying will haunt me.”She covered her mouth to muffle her shuddering breath.
By Detective Hall’s annoyed look, Miss Pelton must be performing.If her career as a novelist ever failed, she could take up acting on a stage.
“We promise to be quiet.She won’t even know we’ve peeked.”Miss Plane added her own pleas.
Nurse Abbott looked at Ezekiel like she expectedhimto speak sense into these women, but if they were breaking down her defenses, he was happy to assist.“Itwoulddo my heart good to see her and Ma together.Maybe we can ascertain if her presence makes Ma happy.”
