its grip on my bones. Franklin saw what was happening to me and rushed forward to catch me before I folded up completely on the floor. My eyes closed in self-defense, trying to avoid reality. I felt him lift me under my legs and around my back to carry me inside and place me on the settee in the living room.
Mrs. Marlene had come out of the kitchen with Mr. Stark. I could hear her crying. He had already given her the dreaded news. Mrs. Cohen heard her, too, and came rushing down the stairs. She didn’t need anyone to say it.
“I need a cool wet cloth,” Dr. Bliskin told her.
Both she and Mrs. Marlene hurried to get one. Keeping busy was the only way to avoid hysteria.
Mr. Stark stepped up to Franklin. “I spoke to Charley Siegel at the police station. That damn Olympic Hill’s been the scene of a dozen or so fatal accidents over the years. People just forget that turn. She must have been in shock. She didn’t even attempt to brake.”
I felt the cloth on my forehead and opened my eyes. “It can’t be true,” I said.
“Harrison called me,” Franklin said. “He wanted me to be here to tell you and everyone. He’s in a bad way. I’m worried about him. We’ve got to hold it together for him. He’s not a man who permits his emotions a breath of air. He’s choking on his sorrow.”
I nodded. “He’s so strong for everyone else.”
“He is. That’s always the case,” Franklin said.
“The baby,” I said, and sat up. “I’ll go to him.”
“Good. Stay busy,” he advised.
I went up to Ryder’s nursery. He was sitting up in his bed quietly. It was eerie. It was as if he knew. He didn’t cry, but he didn’t smile at me the way he always did, either. He seemed to be studying my face for clues. All I could do was reach in, lift him into my arms, and hold him closely, rocking from side to side as my tears began to flood my cheeks.
It was a good two hours more before Dr. Davenport came home. Parker was at his side when he entered, which was something unusual on its own. He knew Dr. Davenport was a little unsteady. Franklin immediately hugged him and spoke softly to him while the rest of us watched from the living-room doorway. Harrison nodded, and the two of them went to Dr. Davenport’s office. Mrs. Marlene prepared some dinner for them and brought it there. I looked after Ryder, and after putting him to sleep hours later, I returned to the living room to wait.
“They’ve been in there with the doors closed all this time,” Mrs. Marlene said. “I heard the phone ringing often.”
I just nodded. She dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief and returned to the kitchen. Most of the staff had gathered there.
Another good half hour later, I heard, “He wants to see you.”
Franklin had come so silently to the doorway that I thought he had simply appeared out of the air.
I rose. I think I was just as frightened as anything. He could see it clearly written on my face.
“He’s all right. I mean, he’s in some shock, but he has hold of himself. As always, he’s thinking about everyone else.”
“Okay.”
“I’m going to go. This is my home number,” he said, handing me a card. “If you need me, call me anytime. He says he has to look in on his patient tomorrow, but I’m going to arrange for Dr. Stanley to cover for him. I’ll call early to tell him. See if you can get him to stay here. He’ll never admit it, but he needs tender loving care.”
“I understand,” I said.
“I’m sorry, Emma. You probably would have been better off just going home when you ran out of money in New York. I wasn’t looking out for you as much as I should have. I didn’t do much to dissuade you. I was thinking selfishly of my friends, and you were just a perfect candidate, someone willing and someone who I thought could benefit from it. Don’t feel obligated to do anything else.”
“Whatever I do won’t be because of any obligation.”
“Yes, I imagine not.” He stepped forward and hugged me and then turned and left.
I sucked in my breath, my sorrow, and my fear and walked slowly down the hallway to Dr. Davenport’s office. He was sitting behind his desk, turned toward the portrait of Samantha in her wedding dress.