“Help me try to wake her,” I said.

“Of course.” Sunny knelt on one side while I took the other.

“Piper,” I said. I tried to sound as commanding as Viv. “Piper, wake up.”

I saw her eyelids flutter.

“She’s coming round,” Sunny said. She didn’t talk to Piper or touch her in any way, leaving it to me. I glanced at Sunny and noticed she was staring at Dooney with an expression I couldn’t decipher. If I had to label it, I’d have called it a mixture of stunned disbelief and grief.

“Sunny, help me get her up,” I said. Piper’s eyes were opening, and I figured we should get her out of there before she remembered everything and became hysterical, for which I really couldn’t blame her.

“What happened?” Piper asked. Her voice was faint. “I remember I came into the library—”

“And then you fainted,” I said. I figured if we skipped ahead, she might not remember why she’d fainted and we could get her out the door before she spotted Dooney again.

“I did?” she asked. She glanced from me to Sunny. “What are you doing here, Sunny?”

“Oh . . . um . . . I just happened by,” she said.

I glanced at her over Piper’s head but she didn’t meet my gaze. At that moment, the door to the library was thrust open and several NHS EMTs appeared with Jenkins, followed by two constables. Things were about to get intense.

“What’s happening?” Piper asked. “Did you call an ambulance for me? I’m fine.”

“It’s not for you,” Sunny said. Her voice was rough with emotion. Piper watched the men walk right past us to Dooney.

She let out a little scream and covered her mouth with her hand. “I remember! Oh, no! Dooney!”

Her voice was a cry of such utter gut-wrenching loss that I actually flinched. One of the constables came over and helped Piper to her feet.

“Let’s get you out of here, ma’am,” he said. Piper looked like she’d dig in her heels and resist, but he was able to lead her to the door where Jenkins stood, looking like he was trying to control the situation from afar.

Sunny and I followed Piper and the constable out to the hallway. I had no idea what to say or do. I wanted to get back to Vivian and Andre but I couldn’t exactly leave. Carlton was standing outside the door. Though he looked as forbidding as usual, I found comfort in his glowering presence.

“What happened to my fiancé?” Piper asked the constable.

“I don’t know, ma’am,” he said. “As soon as we have some information, we’ll be sure to share it with you. Is there anyone else who should be here? Does he have any family present?”

Piper looked stricken. “His parents. They’re probably on their way to the dining room right now.”