said, “It’s very important that I talk to her.”

Dr. Santiago smiled and said, “I’m sorry. That’s not a good idea. Ashley has a history of premature birth, and right now, we are trying very hard for this baby not to be premature. I’m afraid that any stress could be very detrimental to her and the baby.”

“I really only have a few questions,” Gil said.

“Is it possible that those questions will upset her?” Dr. Santiago asked.

Gil didn’t answer. The questions he had to ask Ashley were probably some of the most stressful she would ever have to answer.

Dr. Santiago smiled again. “I just can’t allow it right now. Check back with me later. When she’s out of the woods, you can ask her whatever you want.”

As she walked away, Joe said softly, “If we just go into Ashley’s room, who is going to stop us?”

Gil shook his head. “Legally, her doctor has to okay it. We could get fired if we ignore her, and we could face civil charges if something happened to the baby. It’s just not worth the risk. Look, Ashley will probably be delivering in the next twelve hours or so. We can wait.”

Just as they were about to leave, Gil saw a nurse come through the door at the back of the nurses’ station. He saw her and smiled. She did the same. They both leaned over the counter and hugged each other.

“How are you?” she asked. She was Gil’s cousin Suzanne, the daughter of Aunt Yolanda.

“I’m good,” Gil said. “I’m here on a case. Are you working up here now?”

“Oh, no,” she said. “I just came up here to get a chart. I’m still down in the psych ward.”

“Really?” Gil asked, getting an idea. She was exactly who he needed to talk to. He explained what he could about the case and then asked for a favor. When he was done she said, “Gil, what you’re asking me . . .”

“I know . . .”

“I’ll think about it,” she said.

CHAPTER NINE

Friday Afternoon

Lucy was nearing the Plaza, which was only a block wide and another long, but it was filled with people, sitting and standing, who blotted out the green grass underneath. An all-girl mariachi band was playing a fast polka in the center of the Plaza, while the outside perimeter was ringed with food booths.

Lucy’s only goal was to find something to eat and get in some people-watching. Everyone else’s goal was different. It was to meet up with those long-lost friends, schoolmates, and relatives or to meet those new to the family tree—spouses and babies. As she wandered through the crowd, she saw every type of greeting. Handshakes. Hugs. Exclamations. Tears.

Lucy could think of no one from her past that she would get that excited to see again. Sure, it would be nice to have a visit with her mom and her two brothers, but she couldn’t think of the last time she saw someone that would make her cry in happiness.

She walked over to the Palace of the Governors, which was decked out for the occasion. The four-hundred-year-old building, now a museum, was made of four-foot-thick adobe covered by white plaster. The walls had strange bulges and dents, like a car involved in one too many fender benders. It was the main viga, hanging low over the front of the portal, that Lucy was interested in. On it were the crests of the founding families of Santa Fe and the shields representing the pueblo tribes, all put up especially for fiesta. Dozens of crests lined the lengths of the portal. She found the Trujillo family crest, which showed a field of red punctuated by blue dots and yellow Xs. No noble lions or mythical griffins. It looked more like a tic-tac-toe game. She was definitely going to have to tease Gerald about that. Next, she looked for the Martinez crest, thinking she could make fun of Tommy about it. It was near the end of the portal, but it was much more regal than Gerald’s. Two fields split it diagonally—one half had bold black-and-white stripes, the other red fleur-de-lis. Very majestic. Lastly, she looked for the Montoya crest. She found it on the other end of the portal. It showed eight white hearts on a blue field. She was not quite sure what to make of it but was certain she would never make fun of it to Gil.

The mariachi band stopped, and the emcee said, “Now, get ready to greet La Reina and