24. Chapter Twenty-Four
MATT
Matt was on his way back from BodyWorks, glad he’d had something to do besides sit around and think about Anna all day.
The classes had gone well. One beginner-level Muay Thai, in which the emphasis was on encouragement and learning the basics. The other, the advanced MMA that he and Kieran paired up on to demonstrate technique. If anything, Kieran had only gotten better. With his perpetual smile and generally gentle nature, it was easy to forget how lethal the guy was.
Matt was only about a mile away from the house when he heard it—the unmistakable scream of sirens. He pulled off to the side, allowing the ambulance to fly by in the other direction, all flashing lights and urgent warnings to get the hell out of the way. A police car followed, hard on its heel.
A sinking feeling formed in the pit of his stomach. Whatever had happened, it had happened too close to his home.
He pulled into his driveway, shoved the vehicle into park, and raced into the house. Kieran was still at BodyWorks, but his mom was there, just inside the door, reaching for her purse. He counted heads, noting with relief that his brothers and sisters were all present and accounted for.
“It’s Mrs. Campbell,” Faith said before he had a chance to ask.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. I’m headed to the hospital now. Kass, you’re in charge. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“What about Anna?”
“The police took her with them.”
“Let’s go,” Matt said. “I’ll drive.”
The Pine Ridge Hospital ER was brightly lit and not overly busy. Lots of space, potted plants, and comfortable seating with a large, semicircular desk straight ahead. While Faith went to inquire about Mrs. Campbell, Matt scanned the space. He found Anna in the corner, pacing.
He immediately went over to her. “Anna, are you okay? What happened?”
She startled and stared at him like she didn’t know who he was. Her eyes were big, her expression worried. “Matt?”
“Yes.”
She stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. It was so sudden and unexpected that his mind blanked for a moment. By the time his arms started to get with the program, she was already backing away.
“Sorry,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself instead.
“It’s okay.”
“Um, yeah. I’m fine. It’s Mrs. Campbell. I don’t know what happened. She went to lie down, and when I went in to check on her, she was barely breathing.” Anna glanced over at the two cops who were talking with a doctor. “They wouldn’t let me ride in the ambulance with her. They won’t let me see her. No one will tell me how she’s doing.”
Faith joined them. “It’s protocol. They’ll only share information with family.” She took out her phone. “I’ll see if Michael is working tonight.” She moved toward a far corner of the waiting room.
“Who’s Michael?” Anna asked Matt.
“Kieran’s brother. He’s a doctor. He can find out what’s going on for us. Can you tell me what happened?”
Anna took a deep breath. “I don’t know. Mrs. Campbell said her arthritis was acting up and wanted to lie down. When I went in to check on her, she was unresponsive. I called 911.”
“Did she take anything?”
“Yes. Diclofenac.”
“Just one?”
“Yes. Just one. She doesn’t like to take them unless she’s really hurting.”
“Michael’s on his way,” Faith said, returning to them.
Two police officers came out of the doors where patients were taken back and made a beeline for Anna. “Anna Black?”
“Yes.”
“Would you come with us, please?”
Anna went even paler and took a step closer to Matt, as if subconsciously seeking his protection. “Oh God. What’s happened? Is Mrs. Campbell okay?”
“The doctors are looking at her now. We’d like to ask you some questions, get your statement.”
“I’ve already told you everything.”
“It’s routine procedure. Shouldn’t take long.”
“Can’t you do that here?” Faith asked.
“We prefer to do that at the station.”
Anna looked around. Other people in the waiting area were staring and whispering to one another. The policemen were being polite, but it was clear they weren’t leaving without her. She must have realized it too.
“I guess I don’t really have a choice, do I?” she asked.
The policemen said nothing.
Anna turned to him and his mother. “Will you let me know what the doctor says?”
“Yes, of course,” Faith said. “Do you want one of us to go with you?”
She bit her lip and shifted her weight from one leg to the other. She looked so … defeated? Anxious?
Guilty?
Then, she shook her head again. “No, I’ll be okay, but thank you.”
The police led her off, and Anna went, looking like she was heading for the gallows. Matt watched her go with conflicting emotions. Half of him wanted to follow her. To be there for her and provide comfort. The other half wanted to know what the hell had happened because something wasn’t adding up.
“I don’t like this,” Faith said, frowning after her.
Matt didn’t either.
“Should I call Shane too?”
“It wouldn’t hurt,” Matt said.
If nothing else, Shane, like Michael, could find out what was really going on.
Michael Callaghan stepped off the elevator about an hour later. He was tall, like his brothers, and had the same broad shoulders, black hair, and blue eyes.
They were on their feet in an instant. His expression gave nothing away as he walked over to them.
“Matt, Faith,” he greeted, his voice low and soothing. He accepted a quick hug from Faith and shook Matt’s hand.
“Mick, thanks so much for coming,” Faith said. “How is she?”
“Mrs. Campbell is stable and resting comfortably. They’re moving her to a private room, but they’re going to keep her for twenty-four to forty-eight hours as a precaution.”
“Oh, thank God,” Faith said on an exhale.
“Do they know what happened?” Matt asked.
“They’re saying it was an overdose.”
Faith gasped. “How is that possible?”
Michael’s face was grave. “The drugs in Mrs. Campbell’s bloodstream indicate something much more potent than the single fifty milligram diclofenac the caregiver told the paramedics she gave her.”
“Oh, no,” Faith said, her hand coming up to her mouth. “I can’t believe Anna would make a mistake like that.”
“Where is she now?” Michael asked.
“The police took her to the station about an hour ago.”
Michael nodded, as if he’d expected that. He put his hand on Faith’s shoulder in a comforting gesture, his eyes meeting Matt’s over her shoulder. “You should go home. There’s nothing more you can do here tonight. I suspect Mrs. Campbell would appreciate seeing a friendly face during visiting hours tomorrow though.”
“Of course. Thanks so much, Mick.”
“Anytime.”