“My mother had just died then. You know that. I’m not depressed and I didn’t take an overdose of pills. I want to see Conner,” said Zoe getting agitated as a female nurse entered the room.

“I’ll need you to step out for a few minutes,” said the nurse to Sean.

“I’ll call Conner. I’ll be right outside,” he said, walking into the hallway and taking out his phone.

“She’s awake,” said Sean when Conner answered.

“Really?” said Conner. “When?”

“About ten minutes ago.”

“How is she?”

“Groggy but she seems all right,” said Sean. “I asked her about taking the pills and she has no memory of it. She doesn’t remember anything after June 4th, the day she was attacked.”

“That was a week ago,” said Conner. “Tell her I’ll be there in half an hour.”

When the nurse left, Sean returned to Zoe’s bedside. “Conner’s on his way. I also called Detective Williams. He’s going to stop by to see you in the morning.”

“Detective Williams?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t remember him?” said Sean, his eyes wide.

“Of course I remember him,” said Zoe. “But why would he be coming to see me in the hospital?”

Sean recounted the events and details that led to Zoe ending up in the ER.

“Both detectives were there when you found me?” she said.

“Yes.”

“Where was Conner?”

“He had gone to his office and was walking up to your building with groceries when the ambulance was leaving to bring you here.”

“I don’t remember any of it. My brain is mush. I want to get out of here,” she said, trying to sit up.

“You’re not going anywhere right now,” said a male voice from the doorway.

A look of relief crossed Zoe’s face and she half-smiled. “Conner. You’re here.”

Walking over to the bed, Conner kissed his wife on the forehead. “We almost lost you,” he said, gently brushing a lock of hair off of her face. “How do you feel?”

“I have a bitch of a headache,” said Zoe.

“Why did you take all those pills?” said Conner.

“I didn’t,” she said. “Why would I do that?”

“You were so anxious and depressed the days after you were attacked,” said Conner. “I should have paid more attention to it given your history.”

“But I would never do that…”

“I see you’ve had a chance to visit your wife. I’m afraid I need time with my patient right now,” said Dr. Hufnagel as he entered the room. “We have to run a few more tests. Then, most importantly, she needs rest. Why don’t you come back in the morning—but not together, the hospital is only allowing one visitor at a time now because of Covid.”