Read Online Grievous Sin by Faye Kellerman - Free Book Online Page B

her father. His face was ravaged with exhaustion, his eyes lolling in their sockets. Quickly, she opened the door.
    “Are you all right?” She started toward him, then moved back. “I can’t hug you, ’cause I’m all suited up.”
    “S’right.” Decker was having trouble focusing. “I just woke up and realized I hadn’t seen you yet. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
    “I’m fine, Daddy. Go back to sleep.”
    “What’re you doing?”
    “I just finished feeding Hannah. She needs to be burped. If you want to do it, you’ll have to put on a gown. You can’t cross that yellow line unless you have a gown on.”
    Decker took a step away from the walless barrier. “I’d love to burp her, except I’m so tired I’m afraid I’d drop her. How’s she doing?”
    “Great.”
    Decker felt himself smiling. It must have been a reflex, because every muscle in his face was too numb to move voluntarily. “Thanks for taking care of her. As soon as Mrs. Elias comes here, I want you to go home and get some rest. I know you teens think you’re immortal, but you need sleep.”
    Cindy stared at her father. “It’s not because you think I’m too attached to Hannah, is it?”
    Decker paused. “Who gave you that idea?”
    “Nurse Bellson,” Cindy said. “She thinks I am. She’s worried I’m going to feel jealous when Rina’s well enough to take care of Hannah. It’s not true. I’m only trying to help.”
    “I know you are.”
    “So you’re not upset with me?”
    “No, sweetheart. I love you very much. Just if you could try to avoid butting heads with the staff—”
    “You mean Nurse Bellson?”
    “If that’s who you’re butting heads with, then yes, get along with Nurse Bellson. Even if it’s her problem.”
    “Daddy, you’re dropping on your feet. You look real sick. I think you should sit down.”
    “No, I’m okay.” Decker stifled a yawn. “I have to get back to Rina.”
    “How is she?”
    “Still sleeping.” Decker forced his eyes open. “Cynthia, I really do appreciate all your help. But you do need your rest.”
    “Look, if you want me to go home now—”
    “No.” Decker was surprised by the sudden strength of his voice. “No, you can wait until Mrs. Elias gets here. If you don’t mind.”
    Cindy looked quizzically at her father. “Where did that come from?”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Why do you want me to wait for Mrs. Elias?” Cindy widened her eyes. “You don’t trust Nurse Bellson either, do you, Daddy? Do you have something on her?”
    Despite his fatigue, Decker laughed. “You’ve been watching too many bad movies, sweetheart.”
    “You’re not being honest with me, Daddy. Why don’t you trust her?”
    Decker sighed. “It’s not Marie Bellson. It’s the night nurse, Darlene—”
    “ Darlene? She’s a living angel.”
    “Cindy, she left the babies alone to walk me to the elevator.”
    “Are you sure, Daddy? Maybe there was someone in back, and you didn’t notice.”
    “Oh.” Decker hesitated. “Shows you what I know. Is there someone in back now?”
    It was Cindy’s turn to hesitate. “Well, Darlene kind of told me to wait for her specifically because she didn’t want the babies left alone. She and Lily—that’s her newest trainee—they were collecting the babies from the moms after the twelve o’clock feeding. It’s taking a little longer because Darlene volunteered to help out in the adjoining nursery. They’ve been shorthanded lately ’cause of budget cuts.”
    “So Darlene left you in charge?”
    Cindy’s eyes went to the ceiling. “She’s right here on the floor, Daddy. I have her beeper, but it isn’t even necessary. She comes back every few minutes. Says she’ll finish up real soon. She’s doing the best she can.”
    “Cindy, you’re a peach, but Darlene doesn’t know that. You could be anybody. Did you ever see Marie leave the babies alone?”
    Cindy shook her head. “I guess Darlene is very