draw Brett’s attention away from what was happening upstairs?”
“I didn’t want Brett to hear her voice if she called for help. I was giving her time.”
“You saved us,” Quinn said.
“Emma saved us,” Gabe whispered. He was fading fast, his eyelids fluttering as the meds kicked in.
“Where are you taking him?” Quinn asked one of the paramedics. She wanted to go with him, but she needed to go to Emma.
“Chelsea and Westminster Hospital,” the paramedic replied. “You can meet us there.”
“Mrs. Russell, let’s get your daughter sorted and then I’ll drive you to the hospital,” the officer said.
“What’s your name?” Quinn rasped.
“Scoley. Edward Scoley.”
“Thank you, Constable Scoley,” Quinn said. “Thank you,” she whispered as an impenetrable blackness closed in on her, the shock of the past hour finally catching up to her. The last thing she felt before she passed out was Constable Scoley’s arm around her.
When Quinn came round, she was stretched out on the sofa. There was no sign of the cyanide pills, but a dark red stain was clearly visible on the carpet. Gabe’s blood. She wished someone would have covered it up so Emma wouldn’t have to see her father’s blood pooled between the fibers.
Emma was huddled in the armchair, her face deathly pale, her eyes wide with anxiety. Rufus sat at her feet, quiet for once. A young woman perched on the arm of the chair, presumably the family liaison officer, her hand clutched in a death grip by Emma’s childish fingers.
“Emma, my brave girl,” Quinn exclaimed. She sat up and opened her arms, and Emma erupted from the armchair and hurled herself at Quinn, burying her face in Quinn’s neck.
“I was so scared,” Emma sobbed. “I didn’t know what to do.”
“You did exactly the right thing,” the family liaison officer said gently.
“You did,” Quinn rushed to reassure her. “You saved our lives.”
“I should have called sooner, but I hid in my room and told Rufus to be quiet. He was hurt,” Emma cried. “I tried to hear what was going on. I couldn’t understand what was happening.” Quinn stroked Emma’s head, desperate to reassure her. “Mum, is Dad going to be okay?” Emma pleaded.
Quinn looked at the officer over Emma’s head. “He’s already in surgery,” the woman said.
“Can you take us to the hospital, please?” Quinn asked.
“Of course. Is there anyone you’d like me to call for you?”
“No, thank you.”
“Are you sure? A family member? A friend?” the officer tried again. “You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
Quinn was about to decline but changed her mind. “Please call Jude Wyatt and Drew Camden.”
“You got it.”
A few minutes later, Quinn and Emma were escorted to the police car, which took them to the hospital.
Chapter 61
Emma held tightly to Quinn’s hand as they walked into the hospital and took the lift to the right floor. Quinn asked for an update on Gabe’s condition but was asked to sit down and wait until a doctor could speak to her. She sank into a plastic chair, too worn out by the events of the day to keep upright for much longer. Quinn and Emma sat side by side, silent and terrified, waiting to hear news that could change their lives forever.
Soon, a young Asian doctor stepped out of one of the rooms and approached them. He looked calm and relaxed, which Quinn found reassuring.
“Mrs. Russell, my name is Dr. Chan. I was called to A&E when Mr. Russell was brought in. I’m a nephrologist,” he explained. Quinn wasn’t sure what that was but didn’t think this was the time to ask. “He is still in surgery, I’m afraid. The blade punctured his right kidney and nicked the renal artery.”
“What does that mean?” Quinn asked in a whisper, wishing Emma weren’t there to hear this.
“It means he’s lost a lot of blood and might lose his kidney as well. It’s too soon to tell.”
“Dr. Chan, what is the prognosis?” she asked as calmly as she could, for Emma’s sake.
“We have every confidence that Mr. Russell will make a full recovery,” Dr. Chan said, smiling warmly at Emma, who was pressing herself to Quinn’s arm. “A person can live a long and healthy life with one kidney. It will be a long wait, though. Perhaps you should go home. Someone will call you as soon as Mr. Russell is out of theater.”
“No, we’ll stay,” Quinn said. Emma nodded in agreement.
“I will update you as soon as I know more,” Dr. Chan said. “I’m in contact with the surgical team.”
“Thank you, Dr. Chan,”