Almost Dead (Lizzy Gardner #5)(54)

“That’s Mindy Graft,” Kitally said in a low voice when another stretcher was wheeled out. There was a white sheet pulled over her face.

“How do you know that’s her?”

“The boots. Look at her feet.”

“You noticed her shoes when she left her car?”

“Of course. Valentino with the bow over the knee boots. I’ve been eyeing those for a while now.”

Hayley had no words, so she started walking for the car.

“Where are you going?”

“There’s nothing more we can do for Mindy Graft. We better pay that Auburn man a visit and pray we get there in time.”




Lizzy’s footfalls echoed as she made her way past the nurse’s station toward Jared’s room. She could feel a half-dozen pairs of eyes boring into the back of her head. She pivoted about. “What are you all looking at?”

One nurse looked away; another grabbed a clipboard and took off in the other direction. The chirpy nurse, the one who always told her how good Jared looked, walked her way, cupped her hand around Lizzy’s elbow, and ushered her into an alcove where they could talk in private. She said, “I wanted to let you know that Jared’s family is here.”

“Jared’s father?”

“There’s three of them in his room right now—his mother, father, and his sister.”

Was she being ambushed? “Do you know if a decision has been made as far as the directive goes?”

The nurse shook her head. “I’m not sure. I do know that whenever a family member petitions the court to be named guardian, these things sometimes take time. And being that Mr. Shayne is a former judge does not help matters. Until the court makes a ruling, your hands and ours are tied.”

Lizzy took in a breath as she tried to decide whether to leave for now and come back later. The nurse must have read her mind because she said, “Mr. Shayne told me he planned to wait until you arrived.”

“How long have they been here?”

“Over an hour.”

Lizzy thanked her and said, “If Dr. Calloway is around, could you ask him to join us?”

“I’ll page him,” the nurse said before heading off.

Lizzy walked down the corridor to Jared’s room. His family hadn’t bothered to call or visit in years, but now that Jared was on his deathbed, they wouldn’t leave him alone. This was crazy. Lizzy refused to back down. It was time to hear what Dr. Calloway had to say and hopefully set them all straight.

Jared’s father stood near the window looking out, while his sister and mother sat near his bedside, talking to one another in low voices. Both women looked up when she entered the room.

“Hi,” Lizzy said. “You wanted to talk to me?”

Michael R. Shayne, a tall, distinguished man with silver hair, turned to face her. His piercing blue eyes narrowed. “We were hoping that if we all met face-to–face, you might come to your senses.”

“Come to my senses?”

“Yes. As Jared’s father, I have the right to make any and all decisions regarding my only son.”

“I would be fine with that,” Lizzy stated firmly and calmly, “if that’s what Jared had wanted.”

It never took much to get a rise out of the man, and today wasn’t proving to be any different. His face turned red. “There’s no way that directive will hold up in court.”

It was plain to see that he was grasping for straws. “Why do you say that?”

“For starters, you’re not exactly a stable and competent being.”

Lizzy lifted her brows. “But you are?” Lizzy recalled the night when Jared was called home because his father was waving a gun around, threatening his mother’s life. “I don’t think you want to bring this to court, Mr. Shayne.”

He pointed a finger Lizzy’s way. “Your witnesses aren’t exactly model citizens.”

More grasping. And it took everything Lizzy had to impede her mounting resentment. “Jessica Pleiss is currently training to be an FBI agent,” she told him. “And Hayley Hansen has proven herself time and time again to be a caring and thoughtful human being. They are both over eighteen and well-thought-of witnesses, handpicked by your son.”

Lynn looked at Lizzy with pleading eyes, as if she thought there was a chance, however slim, that Lizzy would sign over a release naming Mr. Shayne as Jared’s new health-care proxy and then simply walk away forever. It was the same as it had been in high school when Lizzy had first started dating Jared—Lynn would do anything to avoid conflict with her overbearing father.

Before Lizzy could say another word, Dr. Calloway knocked on the open door and came inside. “Is this a bad time?”

“No. It’s perfect timing,” Lizzy told him.

Quick introductions were made before Dr. Calloway asked everyone to take a seat. Of course, Mr. Shayne insisted on standing. He liked to tower over people when they talked to him.

“There is always discomfort when it comes to determining when continued care is futile,” the doctor said. “The situation we find ourselves in concerning our patient is always difficult. Sometimes medicine has nothing more to offer, and I’m afraid that’s where we are today.”

“So this is it?” Lizzy asked. “That’s your official determination?”