Stone took it. “Hello?”
“It’s Joan. I wanted to give you an update.”
“Please.”
“Hillary Coulter’s in surgery, but we’ve been told her injuries aren’t life threatening.”
“That’s excellent. And Sara?”
“Banged up but nothing too serious.”
“Thanks, Joan. Let me know if anything changes.”
“Will do.”
When he hung up, Dino asked, “News?”
“Sounds like Hillary’s the worst off, but both of them should be fine.” He started to rise so he could tell Jack.
“Don’t bother,” Dino said. He nodded his chin toward Jack’s seat.
Stone leaned into the aisle and saw that Jack’s head was lolled back, his eyes closed, and his mouth open.
“The Jack Daniels did the trick,” Dino said.
“That and an adrenaline crash.”
The flight attendant returned and took the phone back from Stone. “May I get either of you anything?”
“I’m fine,” Stone said.
“Mr. Bacchetti?”
Dino glanced at Jack. “I’ll have what he had.”
Fred picked up Stone, Dino,and Jack at Teterboro and drove them straight to Mount Sinai Hospital.
Stone was surprised to see Ash waiting for them as they entered the lobby.
“Mr. Coulter, I’m Ashton Williamson,” Ash said to Jack when they reached him. “I work with Mr. Barrington. If you will follow me.”
He led them into a waiting elevator. When they exited again, he guided them to one of the patient rooms.
Inside, Hillary lay on a bed, unconscious and surrounded by monitors. Sitting on a chair next to her was Sara. She was wearing a neck brace and had an arm in a sling.
Jack entered, rushed to the bed, and wrapped his hand around his wife’s, worry etched on his brow. “Oh, Hillary, I should have been here. I’m so sorry.”
Sara started to stand, but stopped before she was halfway up, wincing.
Ash was instantly at her side, wrapping an arm around her and helping her to ease back down. “You need to be careful. Remember, the doctor said no sudden movements.”
“Sorry,” she said. “I forgot for a moment.”
Jack seemed to notice her for the first time. “Sara, why aren’t you in your room?”
“My room?” she asked, confused.
“I think he means hospital room,” Ash said. “She doesn’t have one, Mr. Coulter. She was released a few hours ago.”
