The woman was in plainclothes. “Detective Sue Keller,” she said, showing a Boston badge. “You’re Dr. Jenna Sorrel?”

“Yes. What’s the matter?”

“You know a Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Chandler?” “Yes.” Oh, God. What now?

“Either of them a patient of yours?” “No.”

“Then I may ask you for a statement later. Just some background information.”

“Tell me what’s happened.”

“Mrs. Chandler is in Mass General. She’s in pretty bad shape.” “How bad?” “She’s a good friend of yours, ma’am?”

“Yes.”

“Then you might want to get over there. It’s bad.”

38. Brad

Brad

Carolyn was in a coma, with massive injuries to her body organs and brain. Cameron was in jail, charged with attempted murder. Jenna knew that much from Sue Keller.

In a waiting room, Josh Chandler looked near shock, as if he had walked away from some terrible accident. “I was going to call you,” he said distractedly.

“But after I gave the police your name, I didn’t know what was right.” “It’s okay, Josh. Your mother—have you heard anything?”

“No, I don’t know, Miz Sorrel. Oh, God. I … I don’t think it’s good.” He choked back a sob.

“Have you seen her?”

“Not since they took her into surgery.” “Josh, what happened?”

“Like I told the police, I heard them arguing—fighting—this morning, early. I guess Dad had … just come in. It was worse than … I should have done something, but, you know?”

“I know. I know. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Then it quieted down. I went back to sleep. I mean, it’s happened before.

Not like this, but …”

“It’s not your fault, Josh. What happened then?”

“Nothing. I mean, I woke up and started to get ready for school. And Mom and Dad’s door was open, and I looked in and saw Mom on the floor—” Josh’s voice broke. “And Dad—Dad had all his ties spread out on the bed. He was like, trying them on. He said, ‘You’d better do something about this, Josh.’ And I called 911.”

“Do you have anyone, Josh? Relatives?”

“Grandmother—my mom’s mom—she’s on her way from Connecticut. I think she’ll stay at the house until … whatever happens.”

“That’s good. But if you’d like to stay with Karim and me, you’re more than welcome. Just pack a bag and come over.”

“Thanks, Miz Sorrel. Maybe I will. But not tonight. Tonight, I want to stay with Mom.”

“Okay,” said Jenna. “I’m going to see what I can find out.”

But all she could learn, even after rather deceptively identifying herself as Dr. Sorrel, was that Carolyn was still in surgery. Only hours later did a nurse finally give her the word: “She’s in Intensive Care now, doctor, if you’d care to look in for a minute. Room 2623.”

O