Charlie was asleep before the nurse wheeled him back into his room, but the rest of them catnapped. In the early morning hours Georgia and Jimmy went down to the always-open cafeteria for coffee. She told him everything she’d learned from Kitty in Minnesota about Scott, the Prairie Rats, and Ruth Marriotti.
“So now it’s over, thank God,” Jimmy said.
“Not quite. I need evidence.”
“What do you mean? That’s the Bureau’s job. You cracked the case. Let them take over. You don’t have to catch the bad guys.”
“I didn’t have to be with Vanna either.”
“Oh come on. They’re not the same thing.”
“Aren’t they? The FBI isn’t going to arrest Ruth on my word alone. Or even Kitty’s, although I promised not to tell them where she is. They need proof. You know that.”
“Then let them look for it. That’s what they do. For all you know, the Prairie Rats are already on their radar.” He scowled. “They should be.”
“I agree. It could explain what happened to Dena Baldwin’s father.” She sipped her coffee, which was surprisingly good for two in the morning. “I had time to think on the flight back from Duluth. Dena’s father represented some energy companies who are into fracking in a big way. Dena was criticizing fracking in the Facebook group. What if the fracking owners sent Carl Baldwin a message—a warning, let’s say—that his daughter should cut it out?”
“By killing her?”
“Not at first. But knowing Dena, she didn’t stop her attacks. Who knows what happened?”
“Georgia, you’re talking about a conspiracy to commit murder. In the name of corporate profits.”
She nodded.
“You better be damn sure that’s what it was.” Jimmy sat back in his chair. “I don’t like this at all. I wish you wouldn’t take it any further. Didn’t LeJeune say the FBI wanted to interview you?”
“Yes. And I’ll tell his guys about the Prairie Rats and their relationship with Scott Jarvis.”
“Good. Then you’re out of it.”
“Except for one thing.”
“What?”
“I think there may be a connection between them and Ruth Marriotti.” She told Jimmy about Beef Jerky’s Perfect Kill video game. “And that’s exactly how it went down.”
“Georgia, you barely got out of DC alive and that wasn’t even a week ago.” He took her hand. “Please don’t.”
She kept her mouth shut.
Jimmy sighed reluctantly. “What do you have in mind?”
“I have a couple of ideas.”
They were back upstairs on a couch tangled in each other’s arms down the hall from Charlie’s room when JoBeth appeared.
“What’s going on?” Georgia asked in a worried voice.
“Everything’s fine. Vanna won’t sleep. She’s singing to Charlie. Of course, he’s out like a light. Jimmy, do you mind? I’d like a few words with Georgia.”
“Sure thing. I’ll go see if I can sing along with Vanna.” He disentangled himself from Georgia and kissed her forehead.
It was just the two of them.
JoBeth cleared her throat. “Georgia, I’ve learned so much since I’ve been in Chicago. Most of it has been surprising, overwhelming, and beautiful. But some of it not so much.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I have two strong, independent daughters who I have grown to cherish. Between you and Vanna, you make a mother proud. But”—she looked down—“here’s the thing. I didn’t do a damn thing to make that happen.” She let out a breath. “In fact, I damaged Vanna. And you. I—I was a selfish child. I still am. I think only about myself. I make myself out . . . well . . . to be a victim. I throw temper tantrums, and when that doesn’t work, I drink. And when that doesn’t work, I run away. That’s what I did to you. It’s only now that I’m—well—beginning to understand how I destroyed both your souls.”
Georgia didn’t know what to say.
“There has only been one adult in this relationship. And that’s you, Georgia. Not me. You saved Vanna’s life. You helped her grow up. And, as I told you before, you have done a wonderful job.” She swallowed. “And you have every right to be furious at me. To exclude me from your life. I failed you both.” She stood up. “Come with me.”
Georgia rose and followed her mother back into Charlie’s hospital room. JoBeth leaned over Charlie’s crib and kissed him gently. Then she faced Vanna and clasped her in a hug.
“Vanna, honey, when Charlie’s ready to leave here, I hope you’ll live with your sister. You belong with her. Not me.” JoBeth released her daughter. “I’m so sorry.” Then she smiled softly, turned on her heel, and walked out of the room.
The next morning Dr. Kumar arrived before seven. An early sun was just peeking through the window blinds. “Good news, everyone. Charlie doesn’t have meningitis.”
Vanna clapped her hands, hugged Georgia, then hurried over to pick up Charlie. Georgia couldn’t stop smiling. The lightness spread through the room.
“So what is it?” Vanna asked. “Is he going to be okay?”
“In all likelihood, it’s a virus with a high fever and stomach upset. The symptoms are virtually identical to meningitis.”
“What about the seizures?”
“We call them febrile convulsions. They’re a result of the fever. They’re more common than you think. But . . . and this is key . . . while they look scary, they’re not harmful to the baby.”
“So he’s going to be okay?” Vanna said.
“I’m sure of it. But you did the right thing bringing him in. We had to make sure.”
“He won’t have to have another spinal tap?” Georgia asked.
“That’s right. Hopefully, never.” She bent over and tenderly brushed her hand across Charlie’s forehead. “As soon as your fever’s down, you can go home, little champ.”
Charlie gurgled.