Critical Impact Read Online Free Page B

smothered.
    They were probably right, after all. Anna had never taken such powerful pills in her life. She had never even spent any time in the hospital—until now.
    Daphne took her temperature, her blood pressure, checked on a few more things and gave her a tiny white paper cup of pills and a glass of water.
    â€œWhat are these?”
    â€œAntibiotics. We’re holding off on the pain pills until the doctor gets here. She’s just down the hall.She’ll be by in a minute. And then,” Daphne said, “you have someone waiting to see you.”
    The handsome police officer? she wondered. She hoped.
    When the doctor came in, all crisp and white and holding a chart, she said, “I hear morphine isn’t working so well for you, is it?”
    â€œI guess not,” Anna said.
    â€œWe have a whole arsenal of pain medication at our disposal. If one doesn’t work, there are always others.”
    â€œGood.”
    When the doctor left and her visitor arrived, she was charmed to see that it was Rodney. She loved her oddball student, with his flashy clothes and dyed hair, who wanted to design for stage makeup. He was talented and dedicated, her only male student in her class of females.
    He came over and pulled up the chair next to her bed.
    â€œIt’s nice of you to drive all the way up here to see me, Rodney,” she said.
    â€œI had to come up to give something to the police,” he said.
    Anna looked at him.
    â€œIt was about Hilary.” He told her that he’d found an online blog Hilary had written, indicating that she was being stalked.
    This brought new tears to Anna’s eyes. She hadnever connected with the girl, although she had tried many times. On the morning of Hilary’s death, Anna had intended to have a private conference with the girl, who was in danger of failing the course. And then Johnny Seeley, who, as mayor of Whisper Lake Crossing, shouldn’t even have been in Shawnigan in the first place, slowed her down.
    The delay saved her life. And yet Hilary and Claire were gone. None of it made sense.
    She stifled a sob when she thought about that. Rodney put his hand on her left arm and wept like a baby. They both did.
    â€œI can’t believe it,” he said over and over. “I was talking to Claire just yesterday morning. Oh, Anna,” he said. “What are we going to do? I don’t think I’ll be able to even go to their funerals. I’m afraid I would just turn into a puddle and melt right there in the church.”
    â€œYou’ll be okay, Rodney. We all will. I’ll be praying for you.”
    â€œOh, can you pray right now?”
    Anna did.
    When he left, Nurse Daphne came in with another pill for her to take, one eyebrow raised at the departing Rodney. “Who was that?” she asked.
    â€œA good friend of mine.”
    When Deputy McCabe came in a few minutes later he presented her with a bouquet of bright, saucer-size mums.
    â€œThank you,” she said. “They’re beautiful.”
    He studied them. “They are kind of nice. They’re from Bette. She heard what happened and wanted you to have a couple of her prize mums.”
    So they were from Bette and not from him. She didn’t know why she felt such a sudden disappointment. After all, why should she expect flowers from the police officer who was questioning her?
    â€œI’m living at Bette’s resort now,” she said. “For the time being, until I find a place of my own. It’s beautiful there. Bette is such a fine gardener. I’ve been savoring the fall colors in her many gardens.”
    â€œActually, I think it’s her son, Ralph, who does most of the gardening.”
    She nodded. “I’ve seen him out there. It’s been such a peaceful place for me to live. It’s been a good place for me to get some rest and get my act together.” Yesterday, during the questioning, she had told them so much about