A Fatal Slip (13 page)

Emma and Liz looked at each other. Emma put her arm around Liz. “You go home. You have the kids to deal with. Arabella will look after Bette. I can stay.”

“Are you sure?” Liz had already grabbed her handbag.

“Absolutely.”

Liz gave Emma a quick hug and kiss. “Thanks. Call me if anything changes. I just need to make sure that Alice gets her project done for history class tomorrow.”

Emma nodded and waved good-bye. She sank into the orange plastic chair and watched as all the monitors surrounding Brian sighed and beeped. She decided right then and there that she didn’t care about anything but being with him. Europe could wait. Her career could wait. Right now, Brian was the most important thing in her life.

Emma sat in the chair without moving until the cold began to creep into her limbs. Her right foot had gone to sleep, and she had a minor but persistent throbbing in her left temple. Her eyes were closing, and she was nearly dozing off when the curtains to the cubicle parted and a man in scrubs bustled in.

“Time to take”—he glanced at the chart hanging from the end of Brian’s bed—“Mr. O’Connell down to surgery. Do you want me to show you where you can wait?”

Emma nodded. “Please.”

He released the brakes on the gurney and began to push it out of the room. “Follow me. There’s a waiting room on the surgery floor.” He looked at Emma over the rims of his glasses. “You can get yourself a cup of coffee, and there’s a snack machine with chips, cookies and granola bars—pretty unhealthy stuff, considering this is a hospital.”

Emma picked up her purse and followed him out of the room.

She surreptitiously held Brian’s hand as they went up in the elevator. She thought she felt him return her squeeze, but she was probably imagining it. The fellow from transport whistled between his teeth as they waited for their floor. As soon as the doors had swished open, he pushed the gurney out and Emma followed.

“Waiting room is down there.” He jerked his head to the right.

Emma gave Brian one last look and headed in the direction the man had indicated.

Three other people were already in the waiting room. Emma chose a chair away from them and near the window. Dog-eared magazines were stacked on a wooden table. Emma glanced through them, chose a women’s fashion magazine, and began to flip through the pages. After five minutes, she tossed it back on the table. She couldn’t concentrate. All she could think about was Brian and what was happening in the operating room.

She got up for a drink of water, scrolled through her e-mail on her phone . . . anything to pass the time. The hands on the clock moved excruciatingly slowly. Emma was looking out the window, watching the cars come and go from the parking lot, when the doctor came in.

“Mrs. O’Connell.”

For a moment, the name didn’t register, but then Emma whirled around.

The doctor pulled off her pink surgical cap. “Everything went fine. Mr. O’Connell is in the recovery room, and we don’t anticipate any problems. He’ll be there for a few hours. You might want to consider going home and getting some rest.”

Emma nodded numbly.
Brian was going to be okay.
She felt her face break out into a huge grin, and she realized that her hands were shaking as she gathered up her purse, coat and gloves.

She would call Arabella to pick her up. She pulled her cell phone from her purse and punched in her aunt’s number. As soon as she ended that call, she quickly dialed Liz.

EMMA
got to the hospital early on Sunday morning. This time, she wasn’t required to have a name badge since Brian had been moved to a regular room, so there was no need to pretend to be Brian’s wife. Liz was already there, looking as if she hadn’t slept a wink the night before, when Emma arrived. She was sitting in the bedside chair, her computer on her lap, a cardboard cup of coffee on the floor beside her. She looked up when Emma entered.

“Hey. You look terrible. Did you sleep at all?”

Emma shook her head.

“Neither did I.” Liz glanced at Brian’s still form on the bed and smiled. “He’s sleeping. He regained consciousness this morning. The doctor said he’s going to be okay.” Liz suddenly burst into tears.

Emma knelt at Liz’s feet and took Liz’s hands in hers. “That’s wonderful, Liz. I’m so relieved.” She felt hot tears spilling over her own lids and cascading down her cheeks.

“He was only awake for a short time, but he recognized me.” Liz pulled a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. “They’ve set his leg and drained the fluid that had accumulated around his brain. Both procedures were successful. Hopefully the fracture will heal quickly and he’ll be up and around in no time.”

Emma looked at Brian asleep in the hospital bed. Her heart swelled to the point where she thought it would burst.

“The doctor said he might sleep for hours,” Liz said wiping her eyes with the tissue. “You’re welcome to stay, but there’s no real need. I can call you when he wakes up. I know he’ll want to see you.”

Emma nodded. “Okay. I want to check on Aunt Arabella. She’s not been herself lately. I don’t know what it is.”

Emma bent and brushed Brian’s lips with hers. She stood for a moment watching him sleep then turned around. “Promise you’ll call me if you need me.”

Liz held up her hand. “Promise.”

Emma left the room with a one last backward glance at Brian. His face was pale, and there were hollows under his eyes, but he was going to be okay. Her spirits rose like a kite in a strong breeze.

She found her way down the hall, into the elevator and back out to the parking lot where she’d left her car.

Emma thought about calling Arabella first, but decided not to bother. Her aunt knew she was coming to get Bette after visiting the hospital. She stopped at Kroger’s and picked up croissants, some strawberry preserves and a bouquet of flowers that caught her eye. They reminded her of spring—and the fact that it would arrive sooner or later—and she hoped they would cheer Arabella up.

Priscilla opened the door when Emma arrived.

“Emma, darling.” She was already perfectly made up and coiffed and was wearing tan cords and a black V-neck sweater. She took the grocery bag from Emma and peeked inside. “What have you brought?”

“Some croissants, preserves and some flowers for Aunt Arabella.”

“Aren’t you sweet! We’ve got coffee going in the kitchen if you’d like a cup.”

“I’ll take some tea, if you don’t mind.”

Emma followed her mother out to the kitchen. Francis was seated at the head of the table, the
Paris Post-Intelligencer
spread out around him, a cup of coffee at his elbow. Arabella was at the stove frying some bacon.

“I’ve brought some croissants and strawberry preserves,” Emma announced.

“Wonderful, dear. I’ve got some bacon going, and I can rustle up some eggs if anyone is interested.” Arabella wiped her hands on her apron. “But do tell us how Brian is doing. Has there been any improvement?”

Emma gave a broad smile. “He’s conscious according to Liz, although he was sleeping while I was there. But it looks like everything will be okay eventually.” She sank down onto one of Arabella’s kitchen chairs. Her knees had suddenly become weak.

“Darling, you don’t look very good.” Priscilla put a hand on Emma’s shoulder. “Maybe you should put your head down.”

“I’m not going to faint, Mother, don’t worry.”

“It’s the shock,” Arabella said as she lifted the crispy pieces of bacon from the pan and placed them on a paper towel–lined plate. “We need to get some food into you.”

Emma allowed herself to be fussed over, although she felt slightly guilty since her intention had been to check on Arabella, not the other way around. After a well-buttered croissant, a healthy helping of bacon and a cup of green tea, she felt much better.

Arabella finally joined them at the table, cup of coffee in hand. She made a disgusted noise. “That Detective Walker was around again. He stopped by Sweet Nothings yesterday.”

“What?” Emma said.

Arabella nodded and looked around the table. “He keeps asking me the same question—where did I go during the fireworks the night Hugo was killed. I already told him the last time he asked. I was tired and needed a rest. I went out to the lobby, found a comfortable chair and sat down for a bit with my feet up.” She looked around the table again. “No crime in that, is there?”

Emma and Francis looked at each other. The last time Arabella had talked to Walker, she’d told him that she’d spent that particular period of time in the ladies’ room powdering her nose. Why the sudden change of story?

Francis gathered together the newspaper, grabbed his cup of coffee and prepared to retreat to the small room that Arabella had turned into a study. On his way out of the kitchen, he tapped Emma on the shoulder. “If I could talk to you for a minute?” His dark brows rose up, creating a V above his coal black eyes.

Emma swept up the last of her croissant crumbs and brushed them into the palm of her hand. She dropped them in the sink before following Francis down the hall.

Francis dropped into the leather swivel chair behind the desk that Arabella had said had been in the family for several generations. She even claimed there was a mark on the left side where a bullet shot during the Civil War had pierced the window and nicked the desk.

The chair groaned as Francis leaned back in it, steepling his fingers under his chin and squaring his jaw. “It’s your aunt,” he said finally.

Emma leaned forward slightly.

“Walker seems to think she has the strongest motive in Hugh’s death. Even though her motive is decades old.” Francis snorted in disgust. He fiddled with a letter opener on the desk. “Unfortunately, this isn’t my case so my hands are tied.” He clenched and unclenched his fists. “It doesn’t help that Arabella is giving him conflicting stories about where she went during the fireworks. First she told him she went to the ladies’ room to freshen up, then the next time he asks, she’s saying she was out in the lobby sitting with her feet up.” Francis looked down at his clasped hands. “I don’t understand it. It almost as if . . . as if she doesn’t actually remember what she did.” He looked up at Emma, his face etched with distress.

Emma felt her stomach plummet to her knees. Arabella had always been so . . .
sharp
. She remembered every family member’s birthday, never missed an appointment and called all their regular customers by name. Was it possible she was losing her
memory
?

Emma shuddered. It wasn’t possible. Not Arabella. It was stress or fatigue or depression. There couldn’t possibly be anything more wrong with her than that. A vacation or some vitamins, and she’d be as good as new.

“What should we do?” Emma asked.

Francis looked even more distressed. He studied his hands as if they held the answer. “I don’t know.” He looked up at Emma. “Maybe if you can just . . . keep an eye on her? Don’t let her work too hard.” He shrugged. “Although I know that’s nearly impossible. She’s put her heart and soul into that store.”

“I’ll try.” Emma nodded her head enthusiastically. “I definitely will. Do you think we ought to call Dr. Baker? He’s known Arabella for forty years. Maybe he’d know what’s wrong?”

Francis cleared his throat. “I don’t want to alarm your aunt. Maybe it’s best if we wait and see how things pan out. As long as you can keep an eye on her during the day.”

Emma nodded vigorously. “Of course. No problem. I was beginning to think that perhaps we might need to hire some . . . younger help.”

“That’s an idea.” Francis leaned back in his chair. “But I wouldn’t bring it up right now. I don’t want Arabella to think . . .” He cleared his throat. “Let’s just keep an eye on her.”

“Absolutely. Perhaps Eloise Montgomery can fill in some more and Arabella can have a break. Eloise won’t seem as much of a threat as someone younger might.”

“She still won’t like it.” Francis smiled. “But perhaps if we go about it subtly, she won’t notice we’re trying to make things easier on her.”

Emma laughed. “It’s pretty hard to fool Arabella, but I suppose we can try.”

“Yes, I imagine that’s the best we can do.”

• • •

EMMA
was a little late getting down to Sweet Nothings on Monday morning. Bette had thought it quite a fun game to make Emma chase her whenever Emma got close enough to clip on the puppy’s leash. Emma tried to be serious as she ordered Bette to
stay
, but it was impossible to keep from laughing, let alone maintain a straight face, when Bette tilted her head in that cute way she had or when she wagged her tail so hard her entire body shook.

Finally Bette got tired of the game and let Emma fasten the leash, but by then Emma’s hair was in such disarray from trying to get Bette out from under the bed or from behind the clothes hanging in the closet, that she had to retreat to the bathroom briefly to run a comb through it and repair the damage.

Emma smelled coffee as soon as she opened the door to the shop—Arabella had obviously already arrived. She was busy removing a gown from one of the mannequins.

“I think this one needs a change. She’s been wearing the Olga long enough.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know.” Arabella stood in front of the cupboards. She clicked through the hangers. “How about this one?” She pulled out a gown and held it toward Emma.

“That’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ve seen that one before.”

“I’d almost forgotten about it myself,” Arabella said, fingering the delicate fabric. “The colors of robes and nightgowns got rather wild starting in the 1950s. I guess everyone had had their fill of peach, pink and pale blue.” Arabella placed the hot-pink and violet gown on the counter. It had spaghetti straps, a ruffled bodice, pink and violet panels in the full skirt and a satin ribbon crisscrossing the waist. Arabella glanced at the label. “Vanity Fair. Excellent condition.”

Emma helped her aunt slip the gown over the mannequin’s head. She fluffed out the skirt and stood back to admire the effect. “It won’t be long before this sells.”

Arabella looked up suddenly. “What were you and Francis whispering about in the study yesterday? I peeked in, and you both looked so serious.”

Emma felt her face get hot. She’d never been particularly good at lying. “Oh . . . um . . . we were just discussing the case.”

Arabella gave Emma a look that very clearly said she didn’t believe her.

“I do wish Francis would stop fussing about it. I told him, and I told Detective Walker, that I went out to the coat-check room. I’d left my lipstick in my coat pocket, and I needed a touch-up.”

Emma stood stock still, the skirt of the Vanity Fair negligee clenched in her hand.

“What’s wrong, dear?” Arabella looked at her. “If you keep hold of the material like that you’re going to wrinkle it.”

Emma swallowed hard. “Arabella.” She turned toward her aunt, and she knew she had tears in her eyes.

“You must tell me what’s wrong.” Arabella’s face was scrunched with concern. “Brian is okay, isn’t he? You said so. You said the operation was a success. “It’s not Brian I’m worried about, Aunt Arabella. It’s you.”

“Me?” Arabella fiddled with the spill of ruffles on her pale blue blouse. “What on earth for?”

Emma took a deep breath. “The first time Detective Walker asked you where you went during the fireworks at the party, you said you’d gone to the ladies’ room.” Emma fussed with the skirt on the mannequin and bent to straighten the hem. She didn’t want to look at Arabella.

“The next time he asked, you said you’d gone out to the lobby to put your feet up and rest.” Emma stood up and looked her aunt in the face. “And just now you told me you went to the coat check.”

Arabella’s hand’s fluttered around her face. “Surely you don’t think that I’m lying and I . . . I had something to do with Hugo’s death.”

“Of course not.” Emma put her arm around her aunt. “But don’t you see how it looks to Detective Walker? You keep changing your story. You need to tell him where you really went. Then we can get all of this sorted out.”

Arabella’s face crumpled and she put her hand over her mouth. “That’s the problem, dear.”

“What is?” Emma asked as gently as possible.

“I don’t remember where I went.”

“You don’t remember?”

Arabella shook her head. “No.

“It was a busy evening,” Emma said consolingly. “With so much going on. And on top of the shock of seeing Hugh again after all these years. I’m not surprised—”

“It’s not just that. I’m forgetting other things, too. Priscilla noticed.” Arabella looked at Emma, her blue eyes wide. “What if I’m losing my memory? What am I going to do?”