Page 54 of Trust No One

“For a long-distance run?”

I smiled. “Not today. Maybe tomorrow.” Her pale body and limbs looked as if they’d already atrophied.

“All I remember is the pain in my chest. My knees buckling.”

“It was sudden.”

Maria swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

“About what?”

“The lawsuit.” She fell silent and then: “Gabe’s idea. I shouldn’t have gone along.”

Gabe. I knew he was lying.

“We’ll talk about it later.”

Dr. Webber stepped forward and introduced herself. “Do you remember any other symptoms before the heart attack?”

“A headache,” Maria said. “But I’ve had a lot lately.”

“Anything else?”

“My chest cramped like a vise.”

Judson stood by the curtained door—his silence magnifying his presence. Moody, silent stares were his superpower.

“Nothing earlier in the day?” the doctor asked. “Arm pain? Lower back discomfort?”

Maria looked at me. “Can I get a little water?”

The doctor agreed to a few swallows. I filled a cup by her bed with cool water in the bathroom. When I placed the straw by her cracked lips, she sipped.

Judson stepped forward. “You and Gabe had dinner right before you collapsed.”

Her head turned to him. Recognition flashed. “Judson. It’s turning into old home week.”

That teased a smile on his lips. “The band is almost back together.”

“Those were good days,” Maria said.

Judson shifted back to the topic. “What did you eat for dinner the other night?”

There was a curious look in Maria’s eyes. “Pasta. Molly loves pasta.”

“And?”

“Bread. Salad. Wine.”

“Who cooked?” he asked.

“I did.” She winced as her bruised ribs expanded with a breath. Gabe had saved her with clumsy chest compressions that had kept her alive long enough until the paramedics arrived. “Saying my cooking almost killed me?”

“No,” Judson said gently. “Just testing your memory.”

The curtains drew back, and Gabe entered the room. His face was flushed, his hair rustled. No doubt he was fueled by adrenaline and fear.

Gabe crossed the room to Maria. Carefully, as if she were made of delicate tissue paper, he took her hand. “God, I’ve been so worried about you.”