Death on a Deadline

my lips before he saw me. Somebody let me out of the hospital! We were regressing. “How you doing?”
    “I’m doing okay. Slowly putting the pieces together.”
    He took my hand. “We thought we were going to lose you for a while there.”
    I reached up with my other hand and rubbed the stubble on his cheek. “Have you been staying here?”
    “Yes.” He shrugged. “They had to sneak me into ICU.” He shot me a wry grin. “Since we don’t have an official relationship.”
    “Leave it to a lawyer to worry about legalities. Official or not, I missed you.”
    In my mind, I interrogated him. Counselor Campbell, did you mean you want an official relationship with the patient? Or not? If so, what constitutes an official relationship in your mind?
    “Jenna? Did you hear me?”
    I looked up to see a worried look in Alex’s eyes.
    “Sorry. I was just thinking. What did you say?”
    “I said I missed you, too.” He bent down and hugged me like I was made of spun glass. Yes, it was definitely time to check out of the hospital. “I’d better go and let the others come in.”
    I reluctantly let go of his hand.
    Carly was my next visitor. When I told her all the things Lois had said, she was disappointed that she’d slept through it. “I barely remember that Saturday at all,” she said, shaking her head.
    “Car?” I threaded my fingers through hers.
    “Yeah?”
    “I’m sorry for getting you into this mess.”
    She laughed. “Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.” She squeezed my hand. “You bring out the best in me, kiddo. I can’t believe I was brave enough to help solve a murder.”
    “I couldn’t have done it without you.” I looked over her shoulder. “Who’s got the twins?”
    “ Zac’s watching them.” She smiled. “Here’s a newsflash. Hayley and Rachel have hardly been fighting at all since Saturday. Something about almost losing us must have made them appreciate a little more what they have.”
    “I’m so glad, Carly.”
    “Me, too. Not that I necessarily expect it to last.” She hugged me. “I’ve got to go. Marge has been sitting out there waiting to talk to you ever since Daddy called and told her you woke up.”
    “Oh, okay.” I clutched Carly’s arm. “Is she mad at me for ruining her life?”
    Carly gave me a you-must-be-crazy look. “Honey, don’t develop a phobia about sweet little ladies, okay?” She smiled. “She’s not mad at you.” She kissed me on the cheek and left me to face Marge alone.
    “Jenna, honey. I’m so sorry.” Marge hugged me, tears streaming. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    “I’m okay. And I’m sorry, too.” I patted her back. How could she be thinking of me when she’d gone through so much? “I’m so thankful you showed up at Lois’s.”
    “I couldn’t really believe it was true. But I had to find out for myself.”
    “Marge, this must be awful for you.”
    “It’s been tough. But Amelia and Byron are staying with me a few days.”
    I must have looked as stunned as I felt, because she actually laughed through the tears.
    “She and I are working things out, believe it or not. Come by and see me, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
    “I’ll do that.” If I hadn’t been so tired, I’d have made her tell me right then.
    “Thanks, Jenna. I appreciate your getting to the bottom of all this.” She hugged me again, in a cloud of spearmint.
    I relaxed my head against the chair back and closed my eyes.
    “How about a nap?” Mama said from the doorway.
    “Sounds good.”
    She tucked me in and sat down beside me. I drifted off to sleep, safe in the knowledge that, as crazy as this world gets, I have a place in it.
    Over the next twenty-four hours visitors poured in the door, some out of concern, some out of just plain curiosity. Between Mama, Daddy, Alex, and Carly, I hardly had to talk to anyone. They just said, “The police have asked us not to share any details.” Bob brought me a box of chocolates, but it didn’t take him but a minute to ask me when I could come back to work. To hear him tell it, the place was falling apart without me there.
    The King and Queen of Lake View stopped by for a short visit. While Byron was talking to Daddy, I asked Amelia about Marge. “Byron and I have been staying with her ever since Lois was arrested. Come by and visit her when you get out.” I was dying of curiosity to get to the bottom of that. Guess I hadn’t learned my lesson. Let’s hope this cat