hands together in her lap in an attempt to stop their shaking.
Was Hope okay? Who had really killed William? Hed been a kind, gentle man. Who would want to hurt him?
She blinked back her tears and straightened her shoulders. She couldnt fall apart now. She had to be strong because she knew this was only the beginning of the nightmare.
Grace.
She looked up to see Dr. Ralph Dell standing in the doorway. She started to stand but he motioned her back into her chair as he sat next to her. Shes stable, he said. We pumped her stomach, but whatever she took either wasnt in pill form or had enough time to be digested. Ive ordered a full toxicology screen.
Is she conscious? Grace asked.
Drifting in and out. Shell be here until the effects have completely worn off. Dr. Dell eyed her soberly. The sheriff is going to want to talk to her, and even with her condition I can keep him away only so long.
I know. Charlie Black is supposed to meet me here in the next hour or so.
Good. Deputy Taylor has been here since she was brought in.
Grace frowned. Has he talked to her?
Dr. Dell shook his head. Up until now Hope hasnt been in any condition to talk to anyone. And I promised you I wouldnt let anyone in to see her while you were gone. Im a man of my word.
Thank you. Grace raised a trembling hand to her temple, where a headache had begun to pound with fierce intensity.
How are you doing? Dr. Dell reached out and took her hand in his. Hed been both Hopes and Graces doctor since theyd been small girls. You need anything, you let me know.
She realized he wasnt just holding her hand, but rather was taking her pulse at the same time. She forced a smile. Im okay. She withdrew her hand from his. Really. Can I see Hope?
He nodded his head and stood. However, I caution you about asking her too many questions. Right now what she needs is your love and support. There will be plenty of time for answers when shes feeling more alert.
Grace heartily agreed. The last thing she wanted right now was to grill Hope about whatever might have happened at the Covington mansion that morning. All she wantedall she neededwas to make sure that the sister she loved was physically all right. Shed worry about the rest later.
Ive got her in a private room, Dr. Dell said, as he led Grace down a quiet corridor.
She saw the deputy first. Ben Taylor sat in a chair in the hallway, a magazine open in his lap. He looked up as they approached, his thin face expressing no emotion as he greeted her.
Grace. He nodded to her and shifted in his seat as if he found the whole situation awkward.
She knew Ben because his wife worked part-time for her at the dress shop. Hi, Ben, she replied, appalled by the shakiness of her voice.
Bad day, huh? He averted his gaze from hers.
Thats an understatement. There were a hundred questions she wanted to ask him, but she wasnt sure she was ready for any of the answers. Charlie would be here soon and would find out what she needed to know.
She pushed open the door of the hospital room and her heart squeezed painfully tight in her chest as she saw her sister. Hope was asleep, her petite face stark white and her blond hair a tangled mess.
Grace wanted to bundle her up in the sheet, pick her up and run out the door. Nobody could ever make her believe that Hope had anything to do with Williams murder.
Pulling up a chair next to Hopes bed, Grace fought against a tremendous amount of guilt. In the past couple of months had she been too absent from Hopes life? Had there been things she wasnt aware of, things that had led to this terrible crime?
Stop it, she commanded herself. She was thinking as if Hope was guilty, and she wasnt. She wasnt! As soon as Charlie arrived, everything would be okay.
A knot of simmering anger twisted in her stomach. She shouldnt be alone here, waiting for Hope to wake up. Their mother should be with her, but shed run from her responsibility and her family and disappeared like a puff of smoke on a windy day. Hope had been far too young to lose her mother. Damn you, Mom, Grace thought.
Hope stirred and her eyes opened. She frowned and looked at Grace in obvious confusion. Sis? Her voice was a painful croak.
Grace leaned forward and grabbed Hopes hand. Im here, honey. Its all right. Youre going to be all right now.
Hope looked around wildly, as if unsure where she was. Her gaze locked with Graces once again, and in the depths of Hopes eyes Grace saw a whisper of terror. What happened?
You got your stomach pumped. Did you take something, Hope? Some kind of drug?
Hopes eyes flashed with annoyance and she rose to a half-sitting
position. I dont do drugs. Drugs are for losers. She fell back against the bed and closed her eyes, as if the brief conversation had completely exhausted her.
Grace remained seated next to her, clasping her hand even after she realized Hope had fallen back asleep. If Hope hadnt taken any drugs, then why had the authorities found her unconscious on her bed when theyd arrived?
Had she been hit over the head? Knocked unconscious by whoever had committed the murder? Surely if shed had a head injury Dr. Dell would have found it.