Tuesday's Child by Clare Revell Page B

“Nate, she can’t be dead. They were working on her. She has to be all right.”
    “I’m sorry, but it’s true. Mrs. Williams is dead. They just made the official announcement.” He took a deep breath. “Are you all right? The doc wanted to sedate you, but I intervened.”
    “Thank you. I’m fine. I need to know if she…” She took a deep breath. “Did she die in my arms?”
    Nate didn’t answer until she repeated her question. Then he nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
    A fresh wave of tears fell down her cheeks. The Prime Minister had given birth to her first child, a daughter, only a few weeks previously. This was her first official engagement on her return to work. She’d never get to hold the baby again or sing to her. And the baby would never know her mother.
    “Let the doc check you over,” he said. “Jas is coming in with a change of clothes for you. We’ll need the ones you have on as evidence. Then, once we’ve taken a statement, I’ll drive you home.”
    “All right.” Adeline took a deep shuddering breath, wanting to wipe her eyes, but not wanting to get blood on her face. She settled for wiping her sleeve over them and then looked at the doctor.
    Dr. Chandler smiled. “This won’t take long. Sergeant, if you’ll excuse us please.”
    He looked at her and nodded. “Sure. I’ll be right outside.”
    Adeline gripped his arm tightly. “Stay.” She needed a familiar face, one friendly presence in the midst of the horror.
    Nate turned to face the doctor for a long moment, then smiled at her. “Sure.” He sat next to her.
    Dr. Chandler scrapped under Adeline’s nails while Adeline blinked hard and glanced at Nate. His lips moved in what was obviously a prayer. She prayed along with him. Once it was over and the doctor had left, Jasmine came into the room.
    Her friend held out a bag. “I got you some clothes like Dane asked.” She dropped the bag and held out her arms.
    “I don’t want to get blood on you.”
    “Never mind about that. You need a hug.”
    “Yes, I do.” Adeline hugged Jasmine tightly. “Thank you.”
    Jasmine hugged her then pulled back. She gently ran a hand down Adeline’s face, before signing as she spoke. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
    Adeline shrugged. She glanced at Nate and Dane standing on the other side of the room and signed her reply. She knew Nate could follow some of her signing now, but didn’t want to verbalize how she felt. “No, I’m not all right. Jas, Mrs. Williams died in my arms.”
    Jasmine’s eyes widened as she replied rapidly in sign. “Seriously?”
    “She stopped right by me, petted Ben, spoke to me. She had her picture taken with me and Ben. Then she got shot and landed on me. Jas, I was the last person to touch her, to speak to her.”
    “I am so sorry, hon,” Jasmine signed and hugged her tightly. Then pulling back, she sighed. “Dane wants me to go, so he and Nate can interview you. I’ll go back to your house and put a casserole in the oven for you.”
    Adeline shook her head. “Thank you, but I’m not hungry.”
    “I know you’re not, but you still need to eat. I’m doing it. Call if you need me to come around later. Remember I love you.” She hugged her again and then headed out.
    “Love you too,” Adeline called after her. She raised a hand in farewell and then looked down at the bag of clothes. “Can I go and change?”
    Nate nodded “I’ll show you.”
    “Thank you.” She followed him down the hallway.
    Ten minutes later, she came out of the ladies room. Nate was leaning against the wall, waiting. She’d managed to wash off all of the blood, but longed for a hot shower. She could still feel it clinging to her. This must be how Lady Macbeth felt in the Shakespeare play.
    “Feeling better?”
    She nodded, resisting the temptation to ask him if he spent a lot of time hanging around outside the ladies. He looked well practiced at it, but then he was usually accompanied on trips by Vianne. Now just