Sylvia stared at her.
“You weren’t here.”
“I saw you follow her into the kitchen.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“No.”
Emily swallowed.
“But I heard Anna tell you not to touch her.”
David snapped:
“Emily, stay out of this.”
Michael turned toward him.
“David.”
“What?”
“Stop talking.”
David stared at his partner.
Michael pointed toward me.
“Your wife needs a hospital.”
David’s entire personality changed.
The arrogance disappeared.
“Mike, this is a family situation.”
“No.”
Michael looked at the broken phone again.
“This is now whatever the facts make it.”
Then we heard sirens.
David went completely still.
My father was still on speaker.
He said:
“Anna?”
“Yes?”
“Stay where other people can see you.”
“I will.”
“I’m coming.”
That frightened me almost as much as everything else.
“Dad, you’re in Austin.”
“I know.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Yes.”
His voice softened.
“I do.”
