“Does she know how long she’s been unconscious?” Miles asked.
“Yes. I told her this morning. That has been very disconcerting for her, but I would have been surprised if she wasn’t upset.”
“How much does she remember about being attacked?” Delilah asked.
“I haven’t discussed the incident in the boathouse with her. It might be too traumatic at this stage of her recovery.”
“Has she said anything about it?” Miles asked.
“No.”
“How long will it be before we can talk to her about what happened in the boathouse?” Detective Birch asked.
“I can’t answer that today. It will depend on her rate of recovery.”
“Is there a chance that waking up is only temporary?” Randy Coleman asked.
“Could she suffer a relapse?” Miles asked anxiously.
“Those are questions I can’t answer. As you know, Ms. Van Meter was part of a trial of a new drug that was developed specifically for this purpose. It seems to have worked, but I have no idea of the side effects that might be tied to the drug or how permanent her recovery will be. We can only pray that she’ll stay with us.”
“If there’s any possibility of a relapse, she should be questioned as soon as possible,” Delilah said. “She’s the only living witness who knows everything that happened in the boathouse.”
“I understand your concerns,” Dr. Linscott said, “but my concern is for my patient. I’m not going to subject her to any situation, like reliving her assault, that might trigger a relapse.”
“Which brings us to the ground rules for this morning,” Ann Rostow interjected. “Dr. Linscott and I have decided that we will only allow Ms. Van Meter’s husband, brother, and daughter in the room with her. You may stay fifteen minutes and you may not ask her any questions about the murder of Terri Spencer or the assault on her.” She looked at Miles Van Meter, Ashley, and Randy Coleman. “Is that clear?”
“If you want to avoid trauma, you shouldn’t let Coleman in,” Miles said. “Casey was divorcing him because he beat her up.”
“Listen, Van Meter…,” Coleman started.
“Enough!” Rostow said. “If there is any problem I will cancel the visit.”
“But…,” Miles started.
“Mr. Van Meter, I can understand your concern, but Mr. Coleman is legally married to Ms. Van Meter. He has a stronger legal claim to visit her than you do.”
Miles clamped his jaw shut, but he was obviously unhappy.
“Mrs. Rostow,” Ashley said, “do you think it’s wise to let me in to see Dean Van Meter?” Ashley still could not bring herself to call Casey “mother.” “She doesn’t know that I’m her daughter. My presence might confuse her or make her remember my mother-Terri-and what happened to them in the boathouse.”
“That’s a good point,” Rostow responded. “Dr. Linscott, as I understand it, Ms. Van Meter put Ashley up for adoption as soon as she gave birth to her and never learned who adopted her. When she went into her coma she did not know that Ashley was her daughter. Ashley only learned a short time ago who her biological mother was.”
Linscott looked troubled. “Do you want to see your mother, Miss Spencer?”
“Yes, if it’s possible. If she does have a relapse, this may be my only chance to talk to her. But I don’t want to do anything to harm her.”
“Why don’t we do this,” Dr. Linscott said. “I’ll let you go in with the others, but don’t tell Ms. Van Meter that you’re her daughter.”
“What should I say if she asks who I am?”
“Tell her that you went to the Academy and that you’re a friend of her brother.”
“Why don’t we go down to Ms. Van Meter’s room,” Rostow said as she opened the door to the conference room. They filed out of the room and Delilah moved next to Ashley as they walked toward Casey’s room.
“This must be scary for you,” the deputy DA said.
“A little. I’m more confused than frightened,” Ashley answered.
“You think you and Ms. Van Meter are going to get along?”
“I don’t know, but it’s worth a try.”
“Sort of like a second chance.”
“Sort of.”
“That’s how I feel about getting Maxfield back. Unfinished business. I lost a lot of sleep after he flew the coop.”
Dr. Linscott and Ann Rostow stopped at the nurse’s station nearest Casey’s door.
“I would like everyone except Mr. Coleman, Mr. Van Meter, and Miss Spencer to wait here.”
The doctor opened the door to Casey’s room. She was sitting up in bed watching television. A nurse was sitting by the bed reading a magazine.
“Good morning, Ms. Van Meter,” Dr. Linscott said.
Casey looked reluctant to turn away from the set and only gave Dr. Linscott a quick look before going back to her program. She did not look at anyone else.
“I’ve brought some visitors with me. Do you recognize anyone?”
Casey did not respond.
“She’s been watching nonstop since it was connected,” the nurse told Dr. Linscott. Linscott flicked his fingers toward the nurse and she turned off the set with her remote. Casey looked upset.
“There will be plenty of time for TV,” the doctor said. “We won’t be staying long.”
Casey stared at the invaders. Her brow furrowed. Then she focused on her brother and her eyes widened slowly.
“Miles?”
Miles walked over to the bed. There were tears in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to hug his sister but he restrained himself.
“It’s me, Casey. It’s so good to have you back.”
Casey fell back against her pillow. She seemed stunned.
“You look so different,” she said.
“I’m five years older. You’ve been asleep a long time.”
“Honey,” Randy Coleman said, taking a step toward the bed.
Casey looked puzzled for a moment. Then she looked agitated. Dr. Linscott put a restraining hand on Coleman’s arm. Coleman tensed but he stopped.
“This is Randy Coleman, Casey. Your husband,” the doctor said.
Casey’s hands opened and closed on her blanket. She pulled back toward the headboard.
“Why don’t you step out, Mr. Coleman,” the doctor said.
Coleman started to protest.
“Please,” Linscott said firmly. Casey’s husband scowled but left.
“I’ll go, too,” Ashley said.
Casey turned toward her and stared. “Who are you?”
“A friend of Mr. Van Meter,” Ashley answered.
Casey put a hand to her forehead. “No, there’s something…”
She looked lost and sounded frightened. Her breathing became shallow. Dr. Linscott looked worried.
“Perhaps this is too much, too soon,” he said. “I think everyone should leave.”
“Good-bye, Casey,” Miles said. “I’ll come back as soon as the doctor says it’s okay.”
Ashley and Miles joined Randy Coleman in the hall outside the door to Casey’s room. A few minutes later, Dr. Linscott came out.
“What happened?” Delilah asked.
“I may have acted hastily in letting her have visitors,” Dr. Linscott replied.
“She’s okay, isn’t she?” the DA asked, concerned about losing her witness.
“Oh, yes. Just a little overwhelmed by her situation.”
“When do you think I’ll have another chance to talk to Casey?” Miles asked.
“It will depend on her rate of recovery and her mental state. It’s a good sign that she recognized you, though.”
They discussed Casey’s condition a little longer. When the doctor and Ann Rostow excused themselves, Delilah turned to Ashley.
“I’m going back to my office to start working on my case, but I’ll be in touch soon. You okay about going through this again?”
“I wish I didn’t have to, but I want Maxfield punished. I want him in prison.”
“Good,” Delilah said, flashing a big smile. “That makes two of us.”
“Is he talking?” Jerry asked Delilah. “Has he admitted killing Terri Spencer?”
“Mr. Maxfield asked for a lawyer as soon as he was arrested and hasn’t said a word since. He may be evil, but he’s not dumb.” Delilah took Ashley’s hand in hers and patted it. “Not that it matters. I have you as a witness. Ms. Van Meter will just be icing on the cake.”