Chapter 43

“You—” he pointed to Vaughn “—you’re coming with us, as is your wife. Lady,” he said to Anita who, as if on cue, collapsed.

“Ambulance,” the officer said to the medics, and they ran back to get their stretcher. Minutes later Anita was driven away in the ambulance while Vaughn was taken in a squad car. Silence then settled over the Malvern Gardens Inn, except for the low hum of conversation as people dispersed.

Gerald was slumped in Jane’s arms and Jennalee moved in to prop up his free side. Together they assisted him to the living quarters and then to bed. “Get a place in the country, I was told,” he said as Jane pulled off his robe and laid him down. “Peace and quiet is what you need.”

Jane fled to the bathroom and returned with water and a pill. “Take this. You need rest and you won’t get it after this. Go on, it’s just to help you sleep.”