“That’s right. And can you tell me the test of choice?”
“CT angiography?”
“Right. Can you set that up right away? I’ll talk to Dr. Gates.”
“But Dr. Branson? Doesn’t this indicate a much higher morbidity rate, no matter what the source of the blood?”
“Not as long as his Glasgow score is over twelve. And it’s currently fifteen.”
“But I was just in there, and he’s getting confused again.”
Only the sudden pallor of Josh’s face gave away his concern. “Then let’s hurry up with that angiogram.” He disappeared into Brad’s room while the other doctor scurried through a set of double doors.
Grace found herself alone in the cold, hard hallway, with tears threatening once again. She pulled out her cell phone and punched a number, her tight control slipping at the familiar sound of her sister’s voice. “Grace? Grace, are you there?”
“Olivia... I need you.”
*****
Ben’s heart was in his throat. Josh sent him away while he sedated Brad, who was moaning in agony. He walked out of the room like a blind man, not even noticing Grace until she tugged on his arm.
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” His voice rasped, and he realized his mouth was dry. “Everything was just fine and then all of a sudden he started groaning and holding his head. And then he started saying over and over, ‘No feeding tube. No feeding tube.’”
“Is Dr. Dickson still in there?”
“No, she’s gone. And Grace... He didn’t sleep with her.”
“We can’t really know that, Ben, but I already decided it didn’t matter to me. Well, it matters, but I won’t break up with him over it.”
“No, I mean he really didn’t sleep with her. I tricked her into a confession of sorts. That’s why she’s gone already.”
She might have looked relieved if she hadn’t been so upset. Her eyes were watery, and he could tell she was hanging by a thread. He put an arm around her shoulder, and she melted into him.
“I love him,” she said.
“I know. I do too.” Had he ever actually told his brother? When this was over, he’d make sure Brad knew.
A man entered the room and emerged with Josh, pushing Brad’s bed toward the double doors. Ben was rooted in place, but Grace moved to intercept them. “Can I see him?”
Josh nodded. “Just for a second.”
She held his hand between hers and squeezed it. “Brad?”
He opened his eyes and, after a moment, focused on her. “Grace... I didn’t...” His speech was slurred and weak.
“I know you didn’t sleep with her. It’s okay. I didn’t even care.”
“So sorry... No tube... I...”
She leaned over to place a kiss on his lips, her tears falling to wet his face.
“Goodbye... Grace... So sorry...”
“Grace,” Josh interrupted. “We need to hurry.”
She pulled away and dropped his hand, wiping her face with her sleeve. Josh spoke in soft tones to the man, and he continued on with Brad while Josh remained behind. He rubbed his forehead before he spoke.