Maureen laid back on the pillow holding her head. "Christina everything is getting blurry. I'm going blind. Christina help me," Maureen sobbed hysterically as Christina called out for a nurse.
"This will make you feel better," the nurse replied as she handed Maureen two large white tablets.
"But I can't see," Maureen yelled panicking.
"Just calm down and I'll get the doctor."
A few seconds later the doctor returned and looked at Maureen's eyes.
"I'm not sure why you’re having problems with your vision at this point. I don't see anything wrong. Please try and relax a little bit now and rest. I would like to admit you tonight for observation and watch you closely until we find out what’s wrong with you. As soon as a room is ready we'll send you upstairs."
Maureen nodded, too weak to argue. Her head was throbbing and her stomach was in knots.
"I'm going to be sick again," Maureen whispered hoarsely as Christina grabbed the bucket and Maureen started heaving vehemently. Exhausted she fell back on the bed, her face pale and listless.
"We have a room ready for you now," the nurse announced. She wheeled the bed through the corridors and onto the staff elevators while Christina walked along beside them. They got off on the third floor. A nurse from the third floor came in and helped get Maureen settled in the bed, then took her vital signs.
"You look like your feeling pretty rough," the nurse said softly as she took her temperature.
"I need something to drink," Maureen asked. She could hardly lift her voice above a whisper.
"How about some sprite?" she asked sympathetically.
"That's fine," Maureen answered then closed her eyes.
The nurse returned with a glass of sprite and straw.
"Here you go," she replied handing the glass to Maureen. "Just sip on it slowly, okay."
Maureen nodded and began sipping. The cool drink felt good on her throat which was scratchy and raw.
"I'm so tired Christina. I feel like shit," she said in a voice that seemed to come from a long way off. "I still can't see you clearly," she murmured slowly.
"It's going to be alright sis. As soon as they figure out what's wrong they'll fix it. Just try to rest now." Christina didn't like the way Maureen looked.
Maureen exhausted dozed off to sleep while Christina sat by her bedside. She looked up at the clock on the wall. Five after midnight. It was going to be a long night she thought silently. Soon Christina drifted off to sleep too. She was awakened by the bustling of nurses scrambling around the room frantically.
"What's going on?" she demanded as a worried look crept over her face. "Where are you taking my sister?" she asked as they quickly wheeled Maureen out of the room.
An elderly nurse came over to Christina and put her arm around her shoulder. "We're taking her to ICU. We'll be able to watch her more closely there. She stopped breathing and we had to resuscitate her but she's stable right now."
Christina broke down and sobbed openly.
"What’s wrong with her? She's not going to die is she?"
"The doctor still doesn't know what's wrong but she is very ill. They're doing everything they can for her," the nurse replied as she handed Christina a kleenex.
"I want to see her," demanded Christina. "Please, I've got to see her."
"I'll go upstairs with you," the nurse replied gently. They rode the elevator to the sixth floor.
"Why don't you sit down while I go find out if you can go in yet," she commanded.
Christina paced up and down the hall unable to sit still. She sighed deeply, clasped her slender hands together, and stared at them. It seemed an eternity before the nurse returned.
"You can go in now," she said calmly. "I don't want you to be alarmed but she is on a respirator.”
"Thank you," Christina replied trying to swallow the lump that lingered in her throat. She walked through the door slowly and found the cubicle where Maureen laid.
Christina gasped as a hot exultant tear trickled down her cheek. A new anguish seared her heart as she saw Maureen lying on the bed, a large tube inserted in her mouth connected to a loud machine that was hissing as it slowly went up and down. A suffocating sensation tightened her throat, leaving her unable to speak. She covered her face with trembling hands and began to sob. A nurse took her in her arms and led her out of the room as she sobbed uncontrollably.
"I know it's hard to see someone you love on a respirator honey," the nurse said as they stood outside the cubicle.
Christina tried desperately to regain her composure so she could go back in.
"Are you sure you’re ready?" the nurse asked.
Christina nodded her head and went back in the room. She walked over to Maureen and bent down and kissed her forehead.
"Oh Maureen. You've got to get better. What would I ever do if anything happened to you?" The tears streamed down her face as she swallowed the sob that rose in her throat. She closed her eyes feeling utterly miserable. Please Lord make her well again. I don't want her to die, she whispered silently as she glanced over at the monitors that were keeping up with her vital signs. Maureen had always been the strong one of the family. She just had to make it.
The ICU nurse came in and touched Christina's elbow.
"It's time to leave now," she said firmly.
"But I want to be with her in case she wakes up," Christina argued.
"I'm sorry but you can only visit for ten minutes at a time. We'll let you know if there are any changes in her condition, I promise."
Christina hesitated, then bent down and kissed Maureen's cheek. "I love you sis," she cried as she turned to leave.
A detective met Christina as she came from Maureen’s room.
"I'm detective Dowling and I need to ask you some questions concerning your sister's illness," he stated coldly as he guided Christina to a little room just outside the ICU door.
Christina looked bewildered. What on earth did Maureen's illness have to do with a detective for crying out loud?
Lauren held her mother’s hand and cried softly. She seemed to be in a sleep, not knowing that Lauren was there with her.
"Mother I love you. Can you hear me?" Lauren sat down in the chair beside her mother’s bed, watching the heart monitor as it made little beeping sounds. Her mother looked so small lying in the big hospital bed, connected to the oxygen tank, her breathing labored. Suddenly Carol opened her eyes and saw Lauren's face staring at her.
"Oh baby, she whispered softly, then taking a couple of breaths, tears fell down her face. "I'm so sorry to do this to you. I was hoping you wouldn't be alone when it was my time."
"Mother, don't talk that way. You're not going to die. I won't let you go. I love you mommy." Lauren had gone back to using mommy as she did when she was real little. Her shoulders racked with crying and she put her head down beside her mother.
"Now, dear you know I can't go on like this. My time has come and I want you to be strong. I've tried to hang on, but darling, it's just time." Carol's voice drifted off as she gasped for air.
"Mother don't say that. You're going to be fine. You're coming home with me real soon." Lauren knew her mother had drifted off again, so she sat quietly in the chair crying softly so as not to awaken her. The sounds of her labored breathing made her cringe. She knew her mother was suffering and she should let her go...but she couldn't. Not now. She needed her and besides she hadn't had a chance at the good life. The life she planned for her mother. No, now was not the time for her to die.
Chapter Ten
Detective Dowling sat across from Christina.
"It seems the doctor has identified what caused your sister's illness, ma'am. Poison. Arsenic to be exact. That's why we were notified by the doctor to investigate. It showed up in her blood test. I need to ask you some questions," he continued as he eyed her suspiciously. "Would you like to go to the cafeteria and get some coffee while we talk or would this room be all right?"
"Arsenic. Why that's crazy. How wou
ld Maureen have gotten hold of poison?"
"That's what I'd like to talk to you about, so which place will it be?"
"I'd like a cup of coffee so I guess that sounds better to me," she said. Christina didn't like the way this man was staring at her, as if he were somehow thinking she had something to do with Maureen getting hold of some poison.
Christina stared in disbelief as the detective continued on. They walked towards the elevator and he politely stepped back letting her get in first.
"Are you accusing me of poisoning my own sister?" she demanded hysterically, her voice getting louder. The elevator stopped and a man stepped in making any more conversation impossible until they reached the cafeteria.
Getting two cups of coffee Detective Dowling walked to the corner of the room where they could talk and not be heard. After Christina sat down and began fixing her coffee, he continued.
"I'm not accusing anyone yet. I'm just searching every possible avenue, that's all. Now did you and your sister get along?" he asked as he watched her face intently. "Did you have any arguments recently?"
Christina's mouth dropped as she sipped the hot coffee. It burned her mouth but she appeared not to notice.
"We got along perfectly fine. Oh we had our share of disagreements over the years but nothing unusual," she replied haughtily.
"Can you tell me exactly who was in your home yesterday besides you and your sister?" he asked accusingly.
"Just the two of us and our maid Lauren. But it couldn't be Lauren. She's been with us for over five years now and even though she and Maureen didn't always get along that well she would never do something as drastic as that," Christina answered angrily.
"You say they didn't get along?" the detective drilled as he looked at her coldly. "Did they have an argument that you know of that day?" he asked studying her face intently.
"No. They just clashed sometimes. Some people do you know but that doesn't mean you would try to kill someone because you didn't always see eye to eye," Christina said defensively.
"Well the amount of arsenic used could have been fatal if the doctor hadn't found it in time. And your sister still isn't out of the woods yet. It still could be. Do you realize that?" he asked.
"But why would anyone want to kill Maureen?" Christina asked shakily, spilling the coffee on her dress.
"That's what I'm trying to find out," the detective said "It wasn't just an accident. I'll need to search your home and see what we can come up with. "
"When?" she asked curiously, still numbed by the thought that her sister was poisoned.
"I'd like to go now. I spoke with the nurse and they said they would call you if there are any changes."
Christina nodded as she rose from the chair. Poison. But who and why she wondered as they rode the elevator to the parking garage silently. The detective followed her in his car.
The detective had radioed ahead and had the forensic team meet them at Christina's house. They all went inside and began looking around. They started in the kitchen and worked their way from room to room downstairs. Finding nothing they started on the upstairs. On the floor of Christina's bedroom the detective found the cup that Maureen had been drinking the tea out of. He picked it up and put it in a bag and handed it to one of the other men.
"Take this to the lab and see if there is any trace of arsenic in this cup," he ordered.
"That was just a cup of tea Lauren had fixed for me earlier," Christina replied. "Why are you checking that?"
"Did you drink it?" he asked routinely.
"Well no, I was asleep so Maureen drank it," she said in disbelief. "No, it couldn't be Lauren she wouldn't do something like that. I just know it."
"Well we still need to check, ma'am. I hope you're right. I'll get back with you later on," he said as he headed towards the door.
Christina felt like it was a bad dream. She tried to lay down and rest some but all she did was toss and turn endlessly. Innocent Lauren, would she? Could she?
Everyone knew there was no love loss between Lauren and Maureen but to poison Maureen, surely not she thought. I've got to call Andrew and let him know what's going on she thought as she picked up the phone, her hands shaking slightly.
"Hello," a voice murmured on the other end.
"Andrew, it's me Christina. I know it's late but I had to call you. Maureen's in the hospital and the doctors aren't sure she'll make it. They think she's been poisoned," Christina sobbed hysterically.
"Calm down Christina," he said softly trying to soothe her.
"What do you mean they think she's been poisoned?" he persisted.
"They ran some tests and found out she had traces of poison in her system and that's why she got sick so fast. She looks awful Andrew. What if she dies? "she broke off in mid air.
"Listen to me Christina. Pull yourself together now. Come on, you can do it. I'll take a plane and be there before you know it, "he said trying to reassure her.
"Okay. But hurry Andrew," she sighed. Her whole body was engulfed in tides of weariness and despair. Her spirits sank even lower as she sat on the edge of the bed rocking gently back and forth. She was so tired her nerves even throbbed. She couldn't even think straight at this point as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. The endless night finally grayed into morning as Christina stumbled to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee feeling as if she hadn't slept a wink. Picking up the phone she called the ICU to see if there were any changes.
"She's still the same. No better, no worse, "the nurse said solemnly.
"Thank you. I'll be up in a little bit," she replied hanging up the phone. The doorbell rang and Christina jumped.
"Oh Andrew. I'm so glad you’re here, " Christina sobbed uncontrollably as she fell into his arms.
"There, there. Everything's going to be alright," he said as he held her tightly and let her cry. A few minutes later as she gained back her composure she fixed them both a cup of coffee. Andrew searched her weary face seeing the fatigue settled in pockets under her eyes. He knew this must be hard on her. It seemed like everyone she loved died on her, her father, her husband and now maybe her sister. He reached over and gently wiped a tear from her pale cheek.
"You haven't been eating well have you?" he asked noticing that she had lost weight.
"I'm fine Andrew. It's Maureen that we have to worry about now."
"I know but you have to take care of yourself or you won't be good for anyone," he commented. "I left a message on Rusty's answering machine about what's happened."
"Good. I know he'd want to know what's happening. You do know he asked Maureen to marry him don't you?" Christina sighed deeply and finished her coffee. "
"Yes, I know about it, in fact Rusty mentioned something about it being a double wedding. That is if you'll agree to be my wife."
"I don't know Andrew. I can't think right now with Maureen in the hospital. Can we go now? .I need to see for myself that she's all right."
"Yes, get your coat and we'll go."
It had started to rain lightly as they drove in silence. Christina rested her head on Andrew's shoulder and closed her eyes until they arrived at the parking lot entrance. The rain started to come down hard as they parked the car then ran to the front door trying to dodge the heavy rain.
"What time is it?" Christina asked as they stepped off the elevator.
"Ten till eight," Andrew replied looking at his watch.
"We can't go in till eight," Christina said as they walked over to the waiting room and sat on the sofa. Christina picked up a magazine and leafed through it impatiently, not seeing anything on the pages but a blur. She looked up at the clock that seemed to move ever so slowly when you were sitting out there. Three minutes she thought as she threw down the magazine and stood up quickly. Finally after what seemed an eternity the clock struck eight and Christina knocked on the ICU door. The nurse opened the door promptly and let them in.
"Any change?" Christina asked hopefully.
"I'm afraid not," the nu
rse replied as she walked back to the desk.
Christina bent down and kissed Maureen on the cheek. "Hey sis I'm here," she whispered hoping Maureen would wake up for a moment. It was hard to see Maureen who had always been so strong, so invincible lying here close to death. Maureen's eyes fluttered beneath her eyelid as if she knew Christina was there by her side. Andrew walked over and placed his hand over Maureen's. Even though they had their share of disagreements, he would never wish anything like this on her. He could tell that it didn't look good for her and was hoping she wasn't as sick as Christina said but he knew from one look that she was.
"It's time to leave now," the nurse said as she came in to take her vital signs.
"I love you sis," Christina murmured as she squeezed her hand one last time before leaving. The tears began to well up inside as they walked to the door.
"Want some coffee?" Andrew asked tenderly as he steered Christina towards the elevator.
"Sure," she replied numbly. She didn't want to think anymore. All she wanted was for Maureen to get better and come home. The elevator door opened and Rusty stepped off.
"How is she? What happened?" he asked impatiently.
"Come on down to the cafeteria with us and get some coffee and we'll fill you in," Andrew said firmly. "Visiting hours are over but you can see her at noon."
"But I want to see Maureen first. She's okay isn't she?" he persisted.
"She's stable but not out of the woods yet. However, you can only go in every four hours for ten minutes so you might as well, come down and have coffee with us. They'll call us if anything changes," Andrew assured him.
The cafeteria wasn't very crowded this morning. "Want some toast or a muffin?" Andrew asked as he set down the steaming coffee.
"No thanks," Rusty murmured in a dull and troubled voice. His fingers shook lightly as he poured the sugar. "What exactly did happen to Maureen?" he asked nervously.
"We're not exactly sure. But they found traces of arsenic in her system," Christina began swallowing hard to bit back the tears.
Poison Hearts Page 15