Free Death Changes Everything by Linda Crowder Page A

everywhere but at least he was breathing on his own. That seemed like a good sign to Emma.
    She stepped back and Kristy went to stand by the head of the bed. She watched as her friend spoke softly to Matt, then bent over him and kissed his face. She took his hand and held it against her face. Through her tears she gently covered his hand in kisses.
    A man dressed in green scrubs came into the room and stood next to Emma, watching Kristy. When she looked up, he moved to the opposite side of the bed and introduced himself as Dr. McNutt. He briefed them on Matt’s condition.
    “We need to take him up to surgery now.”
    “Will he be all right?” asked Kristy, her voice so quiet Emma had to strain to hear.
    “We won’t know for certain until he wakes up. We did a CT scan and there’s no swelling, but you just don’t know with head injuries until the patient regains consciousness. His injuries are serious, but not life threatening. He’ll be mighty sore and the plastic surgeon will need to fix some of those gashes. Matt’s a tough bird.”
    Kristy smiled, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “You know him?”
    “I know most of our policemen, considering how often they’re in and out of here. Matt was just here this morning, looking in on someone.” Dr. McNutt looked down at Matt and a look of sadness passed over his face. Just as quickly, the professional mask returned.
    “What happens now?” she asked.
    “We’ll take him up to the ICU when he gets out of surgery and keep a close watch on him. I wish I could give you more reassurance, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
    The transport team was at the door then, and they stood back while they unhooked the wires and wheeled Matt out of the room. She and Kristy trailed after them. Jake, who’d been standing outside the room, joined them. They rode up to the surgical floor with Matt, then watched as the team wheeled him through the doors leading back to the operating rooms.
    When they could no longer see Matt, Emma took Kristy’s arm and led her to the family waiting room. They sat silently, Emma not wanting to bother Kristy with idle conversation. Captain Danning came into the room and said a few words to Kristy before going to stand with Jake. Gradually, the waiting room filled with off-duty officers. The hospital chaplain stopped by and prayed with Kristy, then circulated, offering words of comfort and encouragement.
    A nurse, dressed in scrubs, appeared in the doorway, silencing the murmured conversations. Kristy stood up, flanked by Emma and the chaplain. “The doctor will be out to speak with you in a minute,” she told Kristy. “The plastic surgeon is just finishing up.”
    Kristy opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. Emma squeezed her hand and asked if Matt was all right.
    “He came through the surgery just fine. He’ll be in recovery for a while. Someone will come and get you when he’s ready to go to the ICU.”
    Kristy slumped against Emma and there was a buzz of excited voices around them. Captain Danning stepped forward and addressed the officers. “Okay, men. Let’s clear out and give the family some space.” Officers began moving out of the room, stopping to speak to Kristy on their way out. Danning himself stayed until the surgeon came out to confirm that the surgery had gone well and Matt would be moved as soon as he came out of the recovery room.
    “You call me if you need anything,” Danning told Kristy before he left. “We cops stick together in times like this.”
    An orderly came to escort them from the surgical floor down to the ICU. Standing at the foot of the bed, Emma suddenly felt helpless. Kristy sat in the chair next to the Matt’s bed, never letting go of his hand. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as she whispered encouragement to him. When his fingers closed around hers, she put her head on his arm and sobbed in relief.
    Emma gave Jake a gentle push and followed him out of the room. She let the