Page 188 of Forever Dead

Her bloodstained jacket, shirt and trousers had been collected as evidence. The pistol and her cane remained with the investigators. A hospital walking stick leaned against the bed, and Arnold had brought a spare coat from the station to go over the sweatshirt she had been given.

Selena had already answered the responding officers’ immediate questions. Later, a State Police investigator had taken an initial account at the hospital: the consultation, Foss’s admissions, the attack and the struggle that ended with his death. A fuller statement would follow when she was rested and medically able.

She had told him about the brown notebook, the booking and the call from Linwood. Repeating the details had been easier than describing the moments when Foss’s hand was around her throat.

Blethan watched her adjust the ice pack.

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me tonight,” he said.

“I thought you’d have a speech ready.”

“I had several. None would improve that headache.”

Selena lowered the ice pack to her lap.

“Meg told me to go back to the motel.”

“And you went to Foss.”

“Yes. But I didn’t know he was the killer...”

Blethan waited.

“I thought I could keep calling it a consultation,” she said. “As though that changed the instruction.”

“Did it?”

“No.”

He reached for the coat and held it while she put her arms through the sleeves. “I’m sorry, lass.”

“What for, Blethan?”

“I had no idea about Foss. I brought him in…”

“You don’t need to apologize,” she answered. “You couldn’t have known. All I care about right now is how Connor is doing.”

“Connor’s awake,” he said. “His nurse said you can visit briefly before Arnold takes you home.”

Selena put her phone in the coat pocket. A crack ran across the screen where it had struck Foss’s floor.

“Will you walk down with me?”

Blethan rose and passed her the walking stick.

They went slowly through the corridors. At Connor’s door, Blethan stopped.

“I’ll let Arnold know you won’t be much longer.”

“Thank you, Doc.”

Selena knocked and went in.

Connor was awake. Color had returned slightly to his skin, though not much. The monitor beside the bed continued its steady rhythm, and the blanket was pulled high across his abdomen. He turned when she entered.

Relief came over him so quickly that Selena almost stopped in the doorway. “You’re okay.”

“So, they tell me.”