Chapter 360

Hera took a redeye to the border airport and then rushed to Evergreen Hospital. She arrived by midday the next day. At Catherine's bedside, Everly Pierce, her neighbor, watched over her. Catherine lay unconscious with her head swathed in white bandages. She was wearing an oxygen mask over her face and with an IV drip bag hanging beside her. "What happened?" Hera entered the room, concern etched on her face. "Hera, you're back," Everly said with relief. She clutched Hera's hand eagerly. "Hurry. Come check on Mrs. Jones. She still hasn't regained consciousness." Hera nodded. Her heart sank as she examined Catherine. There was a blood clot in her head—a vicious blow to an elderly woman. "Who did this?" Hera's voice tightened with anger. "Yesterday, loan sharks barged in with an IOU bearing Mrs. Jones' thumbprint. They demanded repayment, but Mrs. Jones had nothing to give. So, they knocked her out cold," Everly explained. "Loan sharks?" Hera frowned. She wondered how C