Page 23 of The Me I Left Behind

“Excuse me. Mrs. Oliver?”

She blinked, focusing on the man standing in the door. “Yes?”

“I’m Officer Daniels.” He glanced at Carol. “Could you step outside for a minute?”

Maggie stood, inhaling deeply again as she did so, then letting out the breath slowly. “Yes. Is this about the accident?” Good God, if not that, then….

“Yes. Just a few details. This way.” He turned, and she followed, giving one last glance at Carol.

He led her to a private nook down the hall. “Would you prefer to sit?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m fine. What do you know about the accident? It wasn’t her fault, was it?”

“No. The other driver ran a light and hit just behind the driver’s seat. Fortunately, neither vehicle was going fast, so the impact was less severe. I’m sure your car is totaled but you’ll need to call your insurance, of course.”

“I will.”

“We took a statement from Carol earlier, on the scene. She was a little upset but speaking coherently enough that we got what we needed. Honestly, she was quite mad at the other driver, and we had to restrain her a little, to keep her from going after the older gentleman.”

“Oh dear. Is he okay?”

“He was a little banged up, too, and slightly confused. We think he wasn’t supposed to be driving. He said he was eighty-two.”

“And Carol wanted to deck him, probably.”

“Called him a senile old motherfucker, if I recall correctly.”

Maggie whooshed out a breath. “Goodness. I apologize. I suppose I should find him and apologize.”

The officer shrugged. “Honestly, he probably won’t remember any of it tomorrow.” He smiled and then tucked his clipboard under his arm. “An accident report will be available at the station by afternoon.”

“Great,” Maggie said. “I’ll take care of that.”

“The details of the other driver will be on the report. You’ll probably need that for insurance.”

“Of course.”

“Well, that’s all I need.” He tipped his head. “I’ll let you get back to your daughter.”

“Thank you.” She watched the officer walk away. “Wait.”

He turned. “Yes?”

“My car?”

“Towed. Honestly not sure where it ended up, but all that may be on the report. I believe Thompson Wrecker Service did the tow. Check with them, too.”

Fine. Great. Will do.

The phone in her purse vibrated. Reaching in to grab it, she noticed the caller—Max?

A nurse walked by and caught her eye, pointing to the sign on the wall.

No cell phones.

She gladly turned the phone off.

By the timeJulia came an hour later, hesitantly poking her head inside the partially closed door, Maggie was a mess of nerves. Carol was asleep, and she had fought sleep herself. The few hours she’d dozed in Max’s office earlier were not nearly enough.