Under Suspicion

Still…something didn’t feel right. Shona’s car should be here. She had been following the ambulance when he spoke to her; he’d heard the siren over the line.

She might have parked elsewhere in an effort to avoid notice, as much as possible. Her car and Kemper’s had government plates.

While waiting for the camera crew, Geoff parked and went inside to check with the receptionist.

“I’m sorry,” she said when he asked about Kemper’s arrival. “We’re unaware of anyone here by that name.”

He didn’t argue, but returned to his car, backed out of the slot and cruised slowly around the parking lot. He saw nothing familiar. He dialed Shona’s number again, but she didn’t answer. He did recognize a film crew from Channel 32, and a newspaper reporter for the Jefferson City Herald. He was sure more reporters would be arriving soon.

His own camera crew had not yet made it here, and he had a sneaking suspicion they wouldn’t have anything to film once they arrived. He knew Shona too well. She didn’t want a media circus tonight.

Typically, she was gracious and outgoing to all members of the media, as was her father. This was different. He couldn’t blame her for wanting her privacy during this crisis.

Instead of calling Wendy, which he knew would be expected of him with this switch, he pulled from the parking lot and turned left, in the direction of St. Mary’s. Traditionally, Shona’s family had always used that hospital. He would follow his hunch without alerting others.

FOUR

After the nurse carried away the basin, Shona collapsed gratefully in a chair someone pushed over from the central desk.

Another member of medical staff in bloodstained blue scrubs knelt beside her, his eyes compassionate, but his tone brisk. “Ma’am, does your father have any history of hemophilia?”

“No.” Didn’t he think she would have told them immediately if that were the case?

“Does he take any kind of blood thinner like Coumadin? Or a lot of aspirin?”

“Nothing like that. He seldom even takes a painkiller.” Shona accepted some wet paper towels from an aide and dabbed at her face and mouth.

“Has he been ill recently, running a high fever?”

“No. He had a cold, but nothing serious. Please, do you know what’s happening?”

The man shook his head. “That’s what we’re still trying to find out.” He returned to the trauma room.

“Got something here, Dr. Morris,” someone said. “He could be coming back around. We’ve got a better rhythm.”

“Stop CPR. Is there a pulse?”

There was a waiting silence for a few seconds.

“No, Doctor.”

“Okay, continue CPR.”

Shona couldn’t take it. She had always thought she would be strong in a situation like this. She wasn’t. She had never felt so alone in her life.

Geoff pulled into St. Mary’s parking lot behind a police car. He saw another unmarked car at the curb, and an ambulance hovered in the bay, as if it had recently made a delivery. He was pretty sure he had found the right place, though Shona’s vehicle was not in sight.

As he pulled into an empty spot, his cell phone beeped. He checked the screen and saw Wendy’s number.

He pressed the talk button. “Wendy, I’m sorry, I can’t talk right now. Do you mind if I call you back—”

“Where are you?” Her words were clipped, impatient.

“I’m at the hospital.”

“No, you aren’t. The crew can’t find you.”

“I think the ambulance was diverted to another hospital.”

“Which one?”

“I’m at St. Mary’s right now, but I haven’t made it inside, and they have a sign at the entrance that requests we turn all cell phones off. I’ll call you as soon as—”

“We didn’t hear about it on the scanner.”

“They could have used a private line. I’m not sure yet. I’m checking it out now, but it’s obvious Shona doesn’t want media attention right now.”

“She doesn’t have the liberty to pick and choose when she receives coverage and when she doesn’t,” Wendy snapped.

Geoff gritted his teeth. Careful, Wendy, your antagonism is showing. “You know the hospital won’t allow a crew into the emergency department,” he said. “I’m sure Shona won’t leave her father’s side. On the other hand, there will be lights flashing and police cars lining the street around the MacDonald mansion. What’s going to give us better ratings?”

There was a buzzing silence, then a sharp sigh. “Fine. We already have a crew at the mansion, but I need you there to report. I don’t want to trust Sally with this.”

“Can’t Megan or Emily do it? I need to be with my family right now, Wendy.”

“You have a job to do, Tremaine. I suggest you follow orders if you want to keep your cushy position with all its perks.”

He swallowed a sharp retort. “Think about the ratings. If Megan comes on the screen live from the MacDonald mansion, filling in for Geoff Tremaine, who’s with his wife and father-in-law at the hospital, don’t you think that’s going to catch the attention of viewers?”

“Not as well as Geoff Tremaine himself.”

“But what if your man on the scene is able to get exclusive, timely updates from the source?”

There was another thoughtful pause. Wendy could ride roughshod over everyone when she wanted her way, but she did, on occasion, accept input. “You’re trying to manipulate me.”

He got out of the car, locked it, and started toward the ER entrance, dropping his keys into his right front pocket. “Is it working?”

Another sigh. “Call me when you find something out. Anything.”

“Thanks, Wendy, you’re all heart.”

“No, I just want that exclusive. Make time while you can. The others will catch on soon enough.”

He disconnected and slid the phone into his jacket pocket.

Shona looked up to see a man coming toward her. He wore a navy suit without a tie, and she recognized him as a police detective with whom she had spoken a couple of times in the past.

“Mrs. Tremaine? I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Detective Milt Davis. Are you okay?” He bent toward her, his eyes filled with concern.