Chapter 3
Later that afternoon, Liz called and said that Ellie was staying with her for the next few days.
"Mom, Ellie is really upset. What did you two talk about that would make her that way?"
"Have you asked her what's wrong?"
"Hell yeah!"
"Liz, don't yell at me."
"Sorry, mom. All she'll tell me is that something happened at the farm today and it's between you and her. So tell me why she's so upset."
"I really don't know what she's talking about Liz. She came home from shopping and then just stormed out."
"Mom, tell me the truth."
"That is the truth, Liz. I don't know why she's so upset." Abbey's heart raced as she lied to her daughter.
"Okay for right now. But I still believe there's something going on. And I promise I'll get to the bottom of this. I've never seen her so upset and angry."
"Let me know when you do. I'm as confused as you are."
"Will do. Gotta go. Gus just came in and he wants a snack."
"Give my love to him. Love you."
"Me too, Mom. Bye."
"Bye."
Abbey hung up the phone, dreading the truth about the reason for Ellie's anger.
For the next few days, Abbey tried to put the conversations with Millie and Ellie out of her mind. She kept busy writing notes and trying to deal with the stacks of paperwork.
Their lawyer was working to straighten out Jed's estate and probate his will. With a few exceptions, everything personal was left to Abbey and his official papers would go into the Presidential Library under construction. Jed had supervised most of the design work, but didn't live long enough to see the building actually completed.
"Knock! Knock! Abbey, are you home?"
The front door was open to a screen door to allow a gentle breeze to blow through the house.
Abbey turned to see who it was. She was surprised to see their attorney and the head of the Manchester police department.
"Bill, please come in." Turning to the Chief of Police, she extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Abigail Bartlet."
They entered the room and made themselves comfortable on the couch. "Yes, ma'am. I'm Chief Wilkins."
Abbey looked at both men sitting across from her. They were obviously uncomfortable. They were continuously shifting in their seat and couldn't look her in the eye.
She decided to break the ice herself. "How can I help you? Bill, is there something wrong with the estate?"
"No, ma'am. I, I mean we have something to discuss with you."
"Yes?"
"Abbey, I don't know how to say this but…"
Chief Wilkins interrupted him. "Ma'am, this is very difficult, but we have to ask you a few questions about the President's death."
"Okay." Abbey was both confused and worried. Confused how questions would arise and worried about what those questions were going to be.
"Abbey, there's been a report that you gave Jed an overdose of morphine which hastened his death. I know that he was on hospice care and was receiving morphine through his IV, but the report we have received accuses you of personally giving him an excessive amount. I know that it can't be true, but Chief Wilkins wanted to talk with you anyway."
Abbey was able to keep her trembling hands laced tightly together on her lap. Who knew? The only people that knew were her, Ellie and Millie. They weren't going to tell the police. So who else knew the truth? She decided to play the dumb hand.
"There's no way I would do such a thing. Like you said he was in great pain and on a morphine drip provided by hospice. And they kept the blood level satisfactory to give him relief."
"Yes, ma'am. But we have a sworn statement from someone who overheard you tell another person that you did this. That you were hurting so bad emotionally, you took this action in spite of his final wishes."
"Chief, who made this accusation? It's so completely false."
Bill answered softly. "It was Ellie. She overheard a conversation between you and Dr. Griffith a few days ago. She also said that you admitted this to her. We have talked to Dr. Griffith and she admits she prescribed the extra morphine for you to use on an intermittent basis. Now, Abbey, tell us the truth, did you give Jed an excessive amount of morphine?"