7 Chapter 7

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“Dad. How’s Ben?”

“Dave!” His middle son had arrived. Joe surged up and hugged him. “He’s pretty beat up.”

“That’s putting it mildly.” Dave stared at his brother in horror, then touched Joe’s arm and lowered his voice, although no one was close enough to hear what he had to say. “I’ve been up to see Maggie.”

“That’s right. She’s in this hospital.”

“Wasin this hospital. She checked out earlier, AMA, according to a pretty ticked off P.A.”

“What?”

“Against medical advice.”

“Why?”

Dave shrugged. “A big, white-haired man left with her.”

“Crist?”

“It sounds like it.”