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Dr. West explained the situation directly but kindly. Gus had been brought in with two separate gunshot wounds. The first bullet had gone through his shoulder—it was of less concern. The second had entered his pelvis, injuring major vessels and resulting in significant blood loss. He was currently in surgery to remove this second bullet and try to control the bleeding. Gus was young and fit so they were hopeful, but Theo had to understand that he had already lost a great deal of blood.
“What if you can’t control the bleeding?” Even as she asked, Theo didn’t want to know,
“We’re doing everything we possibly can.”
Theo shook her head. “Will I be able to see him when he comes out of surgery?”
Dr. West hesitated. “At the moment, things are touch and go…” She glanced back at Mendes, who had now been joined by two uniformed policemen.
Mendes took over. “I’m afraid the police will need to question him first.”
“Surely that can wait until—”
“No. I’m afraid it can’t.”
“Mr. Benton is not going to be speaking to anyone for a while,” Dr. West said, settling the matter firmly. “He’s been intubated and is likely to remain so for some time after surgery.”
“Theo?” Jacqui Steven came into the waiting room. Her suit was stained with blood; there was spatter on her blouse and the cuffs were soaked. “Is he—?”
Theo embraced her. “He’s in surgery, Jac…” She glanced back at Mendes and his officers. “The police still want to question him.”
“They shot him,” Jacqui whispered. “The police shot Gus.”
“What?” Theo choked. “The police? No… Why would they—”
Mac turned on Mendes furiously. “What the hell—”
“Mr. Benton was shot while resisting arrest,” the detective said flatly.
“Arrest?” Mac stared at Mendes. “Why?”
“He was being charged with the murder of Mary Cowell.”
Theo recoiled. “That’s impossible. That’s idiotic.”
Mac took a step toward the officers. “Look, George, you can’t be—”
The police officers with the detective moved quickly, seizing and cuffing Mac. He was clearly startled, but he didn’t resist. They arrested him under suspicion of being an accessory to murder and read him his rights. Then Theo. She wasn’t technically arrested but asked to come in for questioning with the threat that she would be arrested if she refused.
Theo turned to Jacqui, desperate now. “Stay with Gus…please don’t leave him alone.”
“You need a lawyer—”
“Please, Jac.” Tears now, and terror. “What if he wakes up?” She held Jacqui’s gaze and left unsaid: “What if he dies?”
Jacqui nodded. “I won’t leave him. I’ll hold the fort till you get back.”
Theo cried in the police SUV. She didn’t care that the police saw her, she didn’t care what they thought or suspected or bloody imagined. Mac was being transported in another vehicle. She didn’t understand. She was taken straight to an interview room, brought a cup of tea, and asked if she would like to see the police doctor.
“No…I just want to go back to the hospital.”
In what may have been a tactic or simply an act of kindness, Mendes told her exactly what had happened at Crane, Hayes and Benton.
“A search of Mr. Benton’s house produced evidence that ties him to the murder of Mary Cowell.”
“What evidence?”
Mendes hesitated. “A key and the murder weapon.”
