Chapter 30Rachael returned from Santa Clara shortly after seven one Friday evening and headed straight downstairs to check her answering machine. She expected another off-the-wall message from Matthew. If not urgent, he began the habit of using the house phone instead of her cell phone to leave messages to cheer her when she came home depleted. He would call to let her know what time he'd pick her up for dinner. But the playback wasn't Matthew's voice.
“Rachael, this is Mona. I'm at Bay Side General. Please come as soon as you can. Don't hesitate, please! Just get here. Any hour. We need you!” Her voiced cracked and she was crying. “Come to the second floor and ask someone to show you where I am. Please be careful, but please… hurry!”
Stunned, she stood speechless. There were two more ca
