Page 19 of Ruthless Cross

"Your mother needs to be hospitalized, Callie. Based on her current state and what you told me happened earlier, I'd like to take her in now."

"She won't want to go."

"She's so confused I'm not sure she'll know where she's going. We can hold her for seventy-two hours without her permission since she's a danger to herself."

"I know, but I can keep an eye on her."

"Twenty-four hours a day?" he challenged. "I understand that this isn't your choice, Callie, but it's the best thing you can do for your mother."

"She's been so good the past several years."

"Which gives me hope we can get her back on track, but the shock of Arthur's death has overwhelmed her. She's not thinking rationally."

"She hates being in the hospital. The drugs turn her into a zombie."

He gave her a compassionate smile. "She needs medical treatment and she needs to be safe. We'll take her to St. Mark's. You've been there before. You know the patients are made to feel as comfortable as possible."

Her mother had gone to St. Mark's the last time, and it had been a good place. She didn't want to put her back there, but what choice did she have? She couldn't watch her mother every second, and she did want her to be safe. "I know you're right. I just wish there was another alternative."

"Do you want me to tell Juliette?"

She thought about that. "She's been asking to go to the hospital to see Arthur. She's trying to convince herself he's not dead. I can probably get her dressed if she thinks that's the reason we're going to St. Mark's. I hate to deceive her, though. She might never forgive me."

"She'll forgive you when she's better, when she understands that you have her best interests at heart."

"I hope so." She took a breath. "The FBI wants to talk to her again. She gave an initial statement last night, but they want more details. Will this hospitalization prevent that from happening?"

He gave her a thoughtful look. "I can prohibit any contact with law enforcement until I feel she's lucid and understands what she's being asked. At this moment in time, I don't believe she is in the right state of mind to speak to the police or the FBI."

She was relieved to hear that. Maybe the hospital was the best possible place for her mom to be, so she couldn't incriminate herself in some way. "I'll help her get dressed," she told him.

"I'll wait for you downstairs."

"All right. Just so you know, there is an FBI agent in the house, Agent Flynn MacKenzie. He may try to speak to you about my mother's condition. He was in the room when she tried to throw herself over the balcony, so he's aware that she's having mental health problems, but I'd prefer that you don't share any information with him."

"I never speak about my patients. You don't have to worry about that."

"Thanks."

As Dr. Clarke stepped out of the room, she walked over to the bed. Her mom was more awake now, but she was a mess: her eyes red, her nose raw, and dark shadows under her eyes that made her look beaten down, defeated. She hadn't looked this bad in a very long time.

"Mom," she said, drawing her mother's attention. "You said you wanted to go to the hospital."

"Will you take me to see Arthur?" her mom asked, a gleam of hope entering her eyes.

She felt awful for lying, but she had no choice. She had to be strong enough to do what needed to be done. "I'll take you to the hospital, but we need to get you dressed. Do you think you can get up?"

Her mom nodded and sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed, the idea of seeing Arthur giving her new energy. Callie helped her up, but she needed to keep her arm around her waist to keep her mother upright. They made their way into the walk-in closet. Her mom sat down on a bench while she pulled out a sweater and pants, keeping things as simple as she could. It still took a few minutes to get her into her clothes, and then brush her hair, but eventually she looked halfway decent. At least, she wouldn't be leaving the house in her nightgown.

"Do you think Arthur will be mad?" her mom asked.

"About what?"

"He didn't like it when I asked him about Gretchen. He said I was crazy to be jealous. I hate when people think I'm crazy."

"Who's Gretchen?"

"She owns a gallery. She was at the event. Didn't you see her?"

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