tourist board has something to do with that, too.”
“I never really thought about it, but I know you’re right. After everything happened and people knew they weren’t alone in this world, there were protests in the streets in Boston. And not just handfuls of people. Hundreds and hundreds.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I never considered myself fae then.” She smiled sadly. She’d been so foolish then. So trapped in her own world. “Funny how things can change.”
He smiled brightly. “You’ve come a long way, Harlow. A long way. You should be proud of yourself. You’ve done things that have required incredible amounts of courage.”
Lally came through the doors carrying a silver tray laden with coffee, sugar, creamer and a plate of biscuits and jam. “Thought we might as well fortify ourselves.”
“Coffee smells wonderful.” Fenton got out of his seat to help her with the tray.
“Thank you.” Lally handed it to him as the house phone rang. “Lands, that phone never rings. Hardly anyone’s got that number.” Her face brightened. “Maybe it’s Augie.” She answered it, lifting the old-fashioned handset from its cradle on a far table.
“Goodwin-Robelais residence.” Her happy expression didn’t last long. “Slow down, Jewelia. What now?” She clutched at the apron she’d tied on, her mouth coming open. “Lord Jesus, have mercy. Where? All right. I’ll tell them. Yes, child. I’ll be praying, too.” She hung up and turned toward Harlow and Fenton, tears in her eyes.
Harlow stood. “What happened?”
“I’m not sure but there was a car accident on the way to the police station and Augie’s gone and J.J. was shot. Bad.” She sobbed once. “He’s in the hospital.”
Fenton was already headed for the door. “I’ll get the car.”
Harlow made her way to Lally’s side and hugged her close. “I’m sure your nephew will be fine.”
She pulled away, tears gone. “That boy had Jewelia’s gris gris round his neck. I’m sure he’ll be fine, too. Hurt, but he’ll heal. It’s Augustine I’m worried about.”
Harlow swallowed, trying to find her voice. Her hand went to the gris gris bag hidden beneath her tunic. “That makes two of us. C’mon, let’s go see what we can find out.”
Fenton drove like a madman, getting them to the hospital in fewer minutes than Harlow thought possible. He dropped Harlow and Lally off at the doors. “You two go inside, I’ll park.”
She and Lally raced in. The hospital was busier than she expected but then it was almost 7 a.m. Lally went to speak to someone at the information desk while Harlow waited but when Lally returned, she was shaking her head.
“Visiting hours don’t start till nine and they ain’t gonna let us in. She said they might make an exception for me being family, but not you. Not until nine o’clock.”
Queen Jewelia came in from the parking lot with Fenton a few steps behind her. The two women embraced.
Lally sighed and gave the woman behind the desk the stink-eye. “They’re not letting us in, Jewelia.”
“That so?” Jewelia marched over to have a talk with the receptionist herself.
“I overheard.” Fenton looked at his watch. “We can’t wait that long to find out if Grantham knows anything about Augustine.”
“Agreed.” Harlow was already antsy. She flexed her fingers. “Can’t you pull some strings?”
He frowned. “This is a human hospital first and foremost. My pull here is not great.”
“What about Dr. Carlson? He’s one of us.”
Fenton nodded as he pulled out his LMD. “It’s worth a shot. If you’ll just excuse me.” He walked to a quiet corner to make the call, coming back a minute later. “All right, some good news. Dr. Carlson is sending word down that we’re to be allowed up. They’re only going to let us up for fifteen minutes and only two at a time, however.” He nodded at Jewelia and Lally. “Despite the urgency, you two should go first. The first faces he sees should be family.”
Jewelia’s expression grew a little less anxious and she smiled. “You’re a good man, Mr. Welch.”
“Yes.” Harlow nodded. “He is.”
The pair went back to the information desk, got Grantham’s room number and into the elevator they went.
Fenton’s brows lifted slightly. “I hate feeling useless.”
“You’re not useless. But I know what you mean.” She took a deep breath, wishing there was a simple way to make this all right.
He shifted once, his eyes scanning the room. He nodded toward a vending machine. “Would you like some coffee? I’m sure it’s terrible, but—”
“No, that would be great.” Harlow found a couple of seats