Listening to my voice, he quiets, but his face makes it clear he wants his momma. He’s hungry.
When Maddie returns, she discreetly positions Christopher at her breast for his feeding. I pick up the blanket and inspect it to be sure no bugs have crawled onto it before putting it away.
That feeling again. Like a cold, still wind. I glance toward Natalie. Denver’s circling her, waiting for the throw.
“Nathan needs to get a restraining order. What those reporters are doing is harassment. Maybe even stalking.”
“They haven’t shown up at the house. Not yet. They know exactly what they’re doing and how far they can go before crossing the line legally. They don’t care whether it’s ethical.”
“They’re scumbags. Have you heard anything else from that weirdo Natalie talked to, Walter?”
“Not yet.”
“Natalie’s safe with us. I just wish she didn’t have to be separated from her mom and dad or miss school.”
I think about what he told Natalie about theBig, Mean Man. A jolt of fear shoots up my spine. How much danger could we actually be in?
I glance up to check on Natalie. I breathe out. She’s close by and still with the dogs. They won’t let anything get near her.
“Don’t go any farther than that, Natalie. K, sweetie?” I call out.
She nods and smiles at me, then turns back to the dogs.
“What about the ocean impacts?” Maddie asks.
“It’s bad. There have been more reports of toxin exposure and… Mrs. Clara died last night.”
“Oh no. From the rash?”
“Well, she was already really weak from the flu, and her body just couldn’t fight the toxins she picked up from the water. We may have closed the beaches too late. And not everyone is even listening to the restrictions.”
“Do you think it will spread further than our waters?”
It might. Who knows what the heck this is?
“This is only going to get worse,” I say.
Maddie reaches out and holds my hand. “They’ll figure it out. They’re smart and determined. I wish I could get into thosecaves and help.” She looks down at Christopher. “But this little guy needs me.”
I rub her back. “He’s the most important job you’ll ever have.”
Natalie runs to us, puts the ball back, and grabs a huge plastic bone. “Denver wants the bone,” she says, running off, shouting for Denver.
“I’ve been doing some research of my own,” I say.
“Into the heating rocks?”
“No, into Finn.” She looks at me, curious.
“He’s hiding something.”
“I’m as furious as you are. But do you think he’s up to something really nefarious?”
I think of Finn’s confession of the death he caused by pushing too far and how he nearly got Nathan and Margaret killed. But he seems to want to do something—to fix this problem. I want to believe he’ll do what’s right when it comes down to it.
“What I know is he’s got an agenda, and he’s not transparent until pushed. Waltertold Natalie not to trust the scientists.”
“That explains everything,” she says as she slaps her knee. “Waltersaid so.” She shoots me an apologetic glance. “Sorry. Okay. What have you found?”
