Page 93

Virginia stepped into the room behind him. “It means the babies are on their way.”

Grey gritted through the next contraction, then let out a long, breathy moan.

“I’m sorry I took him away tonight, Detective,” said Virginia. “It wasn’t right.”

Grey winced through the pain. “Did you win at least?”

Virginia nodded. “You bet we did.”

Marple waved her over. “Virginia! Sit next to me. When this happens, we’re going to need all the hands we can get.” She yanked a pair of gloves out of the box and handed them over. Virginia pulled up another stool.

“We should get on a Zoom call with the hospital!” said Poe.

Holmes leaned in from the hallway. “We should. But the internet just went down. Cell phone service too. We’re lucky we still have power.”

As if in reply, the house went totally dark.

CHAPTER 98

POE LEANED IN close to Grey. “Don’t worry. I’m here.”

“This is bad, Auguste.”

He could feel the panic in her voice.

Marple’s iPhone light popped on at the foot of the bed.

“Brendan!” Marple called out. “Get every flashlight and candle you can find and bring them up here!”

“Done!” Holmes shouted back. Poe heard his footsteps pounding along the hallway, then down the stairs.

“Here comes another one!” groaned Grey. “Oh, God!” Her back arched. Poe squeezed her hand tight. Grey screamed, squeezing his hand even tighter.

Ten seconds… twenty… thirty… forty…

Holmes burst in with an armload of thick candles, some half burned down. He had a battered flashlight under his arm. He set the candles on the dresser and on the table next to Marple’s supplies. Poe could see him averting his eyes from Grey’s lower region as he pulled out a lighter and lit the candles one by one. He put the flashlight on the floor, pointing up. The whole room now had a sepia tone. Holmes moved toward the door.

“Hold on!” shouted Grey. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’ll be right outside…”

“To hell with that!” barked Grey. “Sit here on my left. I’ll need two strong men to get me through this.”

Poe watched as Holmes walked around to the other side of the bed and pulled up a chair. He looked awkward and unsure of himself. “Should I hold your hand?”

“God, no!” said Grey. “But I might ask you to knock me out.”

Marple handed Holmes a facecloth. He gently patted Grey’s forehead, blotting the sweat. She screamed again. Another contraction. This one lasted nearly two minutes. “How am I looking down there?” she asked Marple as the contraction eased.

Marple leaned in between Grey’s legs with her phone light. “Looks like ten centimeters to me,” she called out. “You’re as ready as you’ll ever be.” She put her phone down and pulled Virginia’s phone closer. “Don’t be shy, dear. Get right up in there.”

“You’re doing great, Detective Grey,” said Virginia, peeking under the sheet.

“For God’s sake!” shouted Grey. “You’re practically in my vagina! Call me Helene!”

“You’re crowning!” Marple called out after another peek. She looked up at Grey. “When the next contraction comes, I want you to push! Really push!”

Grey tilted her head back, gasping for breath. Then she looked down at Marple and nodded. “I’m ready.” Clear and firm.