The Good Father

“You need to take him to The Lemonade Stand.” The words were obviously difficult for Nora to speak, but clear for all to hear. “Please. I’m asking you to babysit him for me. Just for tonight.”

“What happened, Nora?” Ella took the baby, but didn’t break eye contact with his mother.

“Who did this to you?”

She wanted it on record. With Jason and the other hospital staff present as witnesses.

“Ted did. But I saved him,” she said, looking at her baby. “I saved Henry, Ella. Ted didn’t touch him.”

The baby put his finger in Ella’s mouth. And when she grinned at him, he grinned back.

“Okay,” she said, making an instant decision. “I’ll take him home with me. I’ll babysit him. But I’m also going to call the High Risk team, and you’re going to let these people get you in an ambulance and straight to the hospital.”

Nora nodded. “I’ll go. I just need you to keep Henry. I saved him. I’m a good mom. And I want to live at The Lemonade Stand until I can get us back on our feet.”

Ella had some phone calls to make. Detective Sanchez first, to get Ted Burbank in custody. Their child protective services delegate. Lila McDaniels. But first, she put an arm around Nora, kissed the woman’s head and told her that she was, indeed, a good mother.

She waited until the ambulance arrived. Unwilling to take Henry out of his mother’s sight until she had to go. And then made one last promise.

“He’ll be waiting for you,” she said.

And knew that she’d do whatever it took to see that it happened.

So much for second chances. Ted Burbank be damned.

* * *

BRETT WAS IN bed in a hotel room in Wisconsin Tuesday night when he read the report. Nora Burbank had been treated and released into the care of Lynn Bishop, the nurse practitioner at The Lemonade Stand. Her son, Henry, was with her. Both were in protective custody. Meaning that until Ted Burbank was found, Santa Raquel police were stationed at the Stand, guarding Nora’s cottage. Off-duty police. Volunteering their time in four-hour shifts.

Ella’s name was on the case.

He read it all.

And noticed one thing more than anything else.

Throughout the entire episode, High Risk team member, Nurse Ella Ackerman, had been accompanied and aided by Dr. Jason Everly.

Brett wanted to hate the man.

But couldn’t.

He didn’t hear from Ella, not that he’d expected to.

But as soon as he was back in town at the end of that week, he went to his mother’s house. Lights were on. House lights, not the timer ones. She was in there.

He texted her to let her know he was out front.

No response.

Out of his car, leaning back against it in case she looked out, he waited. And half an hour later, texted her again.

I have to see you. To talk to you.

This time, his phone buzzed a text. Brett’s hands were sweating as he opened the message.

Go.

Why couldn’t she ask if something was wrong? Wonder, at least?