In the corner that led to the hall, Olivia lay on the floor beside a closed door. She was pushing at the officer with her left hand, as if she wanted him to leave, while her other arm lay limp on the carpet, a key beside it. One side of her face was contorted, and the syllables coming out of her mouth were garbled.

Classic stroke symptoms.

Eve’s heart sank.

Fighting back tears, she crossed to the woman and dropped down next to her. If the officer didn’t like her being here, tough. “It’s Eve, Olivia. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll watch out for you.”

The woman’s gaze shifted to her, the emotion in her glazed eyes difficult to read. And the string of mangled words she uttered was incomprehensible.

“Does she have any family we can contact?”

At the officer’s question, Eve shook her head. “None that I know of. She’s a widow, and she told me once she didn’t have children. I’ve never heard her mention any family other than her husband, Nathaniel. I think she’s been alone since he died twenty years ago.”

The sirens outside were louder now, and the officer glanced toward the street. The ambulance must have turned on to the cul-de-sac.

“Can you stay with her while I open the front door?”

“Of course.”

The man left her alone with her neighbor and disappeared into the small foyer.

Eve took the older woman’s hand in a comforting clasp. “The paramedics are here, Olivia. They’ll take you to the hospital and you’ll get the best of care.”

The reassurance had no effect on her neighbor’s agitation. She continued to thrash weakly on one side and mumble muddled words.

Eve’s throat tightened again. It must be awful to be helpless and have no one in the world to call upon for assistance.

But if—no, when—Olivia recovered, she wouldn’t be alone. None of the Reillys were wired to walk away from a friend in need. A fact she’d relay as soon as her neighbor was calmer and able to think more rationally.

In the background a door opened, and a muted conversation took place. Seconds later, two paramedics entered the room.

Eve gave Olivia’s hand a final squeeze and relinquished her position to the professionals.

As the paramedics went to work, the officer motioned her into the kitchen.

Her cell began to vibrate, but she ignored it as she joined him. This was more important.

The man stopped beside the kitchen table and pulled out a notebook. “You said she has no family as far as you know. Are you aware of any church affiliation, or a close friend who could be a proxy for her or have power of attorney?”

“No. I’m sorry. I only met Olivia about three months ago, after I bought the house next door.”

“Does she have a cellphone?”