“Let’s give them a minute,” Nobel suggested, gesturing to the door.
When Eve stepped out with him, he let out a long sigh. “That’s a very good thing. Those are the first tears she’s shed that weren’t from fear or pain. You contacted the sister?”
“Yeah.”
“I couldn’t. Patient says don’t, I can’t. I’m damn glad you could. She’ll start healing on the inside now. It’ll take time, but it’ll begin.”
“She’s looking to you to tell her what to do.”
“I know it, and I’m not going to. I think she’s had enough of being told what to do, what to wear, what to say.” He shrugged. “She talks to me. She’s careful, and more than that, she’s pretty thoroughly brainwashed. But, hey, I’m a professional.”
“So am I, and she’s remembered more. She lied just now.”
“Maybe. If she did, it’s out of fear. She continues to have nightmares, flashbacks, even some mild hallucinations where she says the devils were in the room.”
“Plural?”
“Sometimes. After the episodes, she’s ashamed, apologetic. She’s very fragile yet, Lieutenant. Her emotions are a thin piece of glass already cracked. Too much pressure, they’ll shatter. Putting them back together will take a lot longer.”
“I don’t believe I’m putting undue pressure on her.”
“You’re not, and believe me I figured I’d have to put on the stern-doctor face with you. But you’re good with her, so she’s responding. If she lied, it’s because she’s not ready. I may be projecting, but I don’t think lies are her fallback or go-to.”
He glanced toward the door. “Having her family here is going to help her mend and, frankly, it takes a load off my mind. I could’ve stretched her stay here another day, maybe two using the Strazza’s widow pressure, but she’s ready to be an outpatient, physically.”
“I need to go in there. I have to get back to work, and I need to know where she’s going to be when she leaves here.”
“Yeah. I want to see if she’ll agree to me arranging for a cot in here for the sister. I’m hoping she’ll stay with her tonight.”
Eve went in to see the two women curled together on the bed, with Tish, still in coat and boots, stroking Daphne’s hair and soothing her.
She lifted a finger of that stroking hand to hold Eve back.
“I’m going to make some arrangements, and let Mom and Dad know I’m here.”
“Don’t go.”
“I’m not. We’re going to have a pajama party tonight. Remember how we’d do that? I’m just going to take care of a couple of things, just outside the room, then I’m putting on my party pj’s and we’re getting some ice cream to go with a vid marathon. Pizza first, right? Pizza, then the ice cream, then the bellyache. Don’t start without me.”
“I’m sorry, Tish. I’m so sorry.”
“Shut up.”
Tish eased out of bed, walked toward the door. She gestured with a jerk of her head, strode outside.
“I’m so pissed off I may not be coherent, but—” Tears sprang to her eyes, so she pressed the heels of her hands against them. “No, no, no, not going there. Couldn’t get a flight because of the damn blizzard, then finally got a standby when the transpo centers opened. I should’ve been here.”
“You’re here now,” Eve said, and Tish dropped her hands.
“You’re the cop who contacted me.”
“Dallas. Lieutenant Dallas.”
“Thank you.” Tish offered a hand, then turned to Del. “You’re the doctor who’s been taking care of her.”
“Del Nobel.”
“Thanks.” She offered him her hand, too. “I want to talk to both of you in a lot more depth, but I don’t want to leave her alone long right now. I’m staying in there with her tonight.”
She issued it like a challenge.
“I’ll have a cot brought in for you.”
“I don’t need it. You can bring it if that’s a rule, but the bed’s big enough. I want to know when she can get out of here.”
“She can be released tomorrow. She’ll require some follow-ups as an outpatient, and there are some instructions she—and you—will need to follow.”
“Whatever it takes. I need to get a hotel. I need a good, secure hotel where she’ll feel safe. A two-bedroom, for when my parents get here, with a sitting room or whatever. We’ll need a place to sit together, talk together.”