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 We won t be certain until a pathologist does an autopsy. I m guessing she might have suffered a
stroke from cardiac arrest or a cerebral aneurysm. She paused.  You were aware of the possible
side effects from the antipsychotic drugs she was taking.
 Yes we were, but we didn t expect it to be so quick and sudden. Weren t there any symptoms that
she was in trouble? What about her alarm bracelet?
 She didn t sound an alarm.
Michelle rushed her fingers through her short black hair.  Why wasn t someone with her? Aren t
we paying for around-the-clock supervision?
 Your questions are valid, Mrs. LaCrosse, but Sarah apparently died in her sleep. She had
breakfast and lunch at the usual times today, and after a little socializing, she took her customary
afternoon nap. Her nurse found her when she went to administer her medication. We tried to
resuscitate her, but I m sorry.
Michelle bit into her lower lip. Poor Sarah, dying alone.
 You can take some comfort in the fact that she probably didn t suffer, Mrs. Beck said.
 Where where is she, now?
 She s still here with us. I m calling for instructions from you and your husband.
 Only my husband can make decisions concerning Sarah, and he s not here. He s out of the country.
I expect him back on Friday.
 We ll keep her here until he returns then.
 Thank you. I ll try to call him, see if he can come home a day early.
 There s no rush, Mrs. LaCrosse. There s nothing more your husband can do for Sarah. Because of
him, the last three years of her life were filled with happiness and meaning. We really enjoyed having
her here with us. And I must tell you, she added on a choke,  she smiled for days after every visit.
She carried Precious picture everywhere, and took pride in telling everyone that she was her
grandbaby.
That bit of information did ease Michelle s sadness. Sarah had been living in Connecticut when
Michelle joined the LaCrosse family as Precious nanny. Erik used to visit his former mother-in-law
alone because Precious was too young to cope with the environment of a mental institution. A few
years ago, when Precious began asking questions about her grandmother, Erik moved Sarah to a
facility in Vermont just a few hours away. Her mental state had improved significantly after
Precious began spending time with her, so much so that they d been able to bring her to the estate for
Christmas and Thanksgiving a couple times. But then early last year&
 Mrs. LaCrosse?
Michelle started at the voice on the other end.  Yes, I m sorry.
 Please accept our condolences.
 Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Beck. We ll be in touch soon. Michelle hung up the phone, took off
her sunglasses, and let the tears flow down her cheeks. She wasn t related to Sarah. She hadn t known
her that long, but she did know her, and that was enough for the dear woman s death to affect her.
Michelle had no idea how long she d been sitting there, but when she felt a hand on her shoulder,
she didn t need to turn around to know it was Felicia. It was quiet, so quiet, she could hear the leaves
rustling in the trees above her. The raucous from the pool had ceased. She whipped her head around
as her maternal instinct kicked in.  Where re the kids? Where s Fiona? Is Precious watching her?
Felicia sat down beside her.  No need to panic, dear. Mrs. Hayes took Fiona into the nursery.
Precious took off when Jason called, and Philippe and Catherine took the kids inside to clean up
before they all head over to Mountainview Café for ice cream. I m supposed to meet them there.
Everything is being handled. She placed her hand over Michelle s lying on the picnic table.  Why
were you sitting all alone out here crying?
 It s Sarah.
 Hmm. I figured it was something like that when you left the cabana. Did she have another
relapse?
Michelle shook her head in slow motion, wishing that was all it was.  No, not this time. She s
gone, Felicia.
 Oh, poor Sarah. What happened?
 She apparently died in her sleep. Either from cardiac arrest or a brain aneurysm. We won t know
for sure until the autopsy.
Felicia pulled her into her arms.  She s in a better place. You know that, don t you? She was
having more bad than good days lately, even with the new medication. At least now she s at peace.
Her mind is at rest. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]