Showdown in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #3)(30)

“So what is?”

“Next year’s an election year, and according to the polls, the mayor’s popularity is waning. Something like this could create a huge sympathy vote.”

“Motherf*cking shit.”

Zach nodded. “That pretty much sums it up.”

“So, what do I do with this?”

Zach shook his head. “Either he knows something about the kidnapping, or he’s keeping his mouth shut to hide something else. And I gotta say, captain, that if it’s option two and this isn’t some political maneuver, then you’re not going to like whatever it is that’s so important he’s willing to risk his grandchild.”

Zach studied the captain as he pulled at his tie. His face was an interesting mix of wanting to throttle someone and the precursor to a heart attack. “We’re not going to get anything out of him,” the captain said.

“No, sir.”

“Then who might we get something out of? Someone’s got to have suspicions.”

“You want to know who would roll on the mayor?”

“Yeah. Blood isn’t always thicker than water, and he’s got a shitload of relatives working for him. Which one do you think will talk?”

Zach considered the long list of relatives that he was aware of. “I think my bet would be on the little girl’s mother.”

The captain sat stock-still, and Zach could tell he was rolling that idea over and over in his mind, playing out every possible outcome—good and bad—of pumping the mayor’s daughter-in-law for family secrets. Finally, he gave Zach a single nod. “Do it.”

Zach rose from his chair and headed to the door. Before he opened the door, the captain’s voice sounded behind him. “And not a word to anyone.”

That kinda went without saying.





Raissa, Maryse, and Mildred sat in Mildred’s office, all looking at Helena, waiting for the bomb to drop. Helena stared back at them in disbelief, her mind not even capable of processing the information they’d dumped on her.

“But that’s not possible,” Helena said finally, looking far more pale than even a ghost should appear. “I gave birth to Hank. I know he’s my son. Giving birth’s not the sort of thing you forget all that easily.”

“We’re not doubting that part,” Maryse said. “But your blood types are completely off. There’s simply no way you and Harold could have produced Hank.”

Helena’s eyes widened. “I never cheated on Harold. It was Harold who made a habit of running around. Hell, I should have cheated on Harold, but I didn’t, I swear. In fact, I hate to admit it now that I’m dead and don’t even have a chance at another go, but Harold’s the only man I’ve ever slept with.”

Raissa glanced at Maryse and Mildred, who were both grimacing. It was pretty horrific, if one knew Harold Henry. And very, very sad. “There has to be an explanation,” Raissa said.

Helena shook her head. “I can’t imagine what. Are you sure, Maryse?”

Maryse nodded. “I double-checked with the doctors I’m working with in New Orleans, just to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything about blood types. They all said it’s not possible for a combination of your and Harold’s blood types to produce Hank.”

Helena stared at her, a lost look on her face. “I don’t understand. Hank was my miracle baby. I’d had problems, cysts removed, and Dr. Breaux said it was unlikely I’d be able to get pregnant. When I got pregnant with Hank, I was so surprised and excited. And now you tell me he’s not even my son. I know he’s done a lot of things wrong, but I still love him. What could have happened?”

“I’m so sorry, Helena,” Maryse said. “The only thing we can think of is that someone mixed the babies up at the hospital.”

“But then…oh God…that means my real baby is wandering around somewhere out there, and I never knew him.” Helena looked ready to cry. Maryse looked over at Raissa, the plea for help written all over her face.

Raissa took the cue and stepped in. “Are you certain you gave birth to a boy?”

“Yes,” Helena said. “I remember the doctor saying so as soon as he came out, and Harold grinning like an idiot. Probably the only damned time the man was happy.”

“That helps,” Raissa said. “I’m going to do a little computer work and see what other male births happened at the hospital at the same time. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Maryse bit her lip and nodded. “I’m really sorry we had to tell you. I guess we were hoping there was some logical explanation.”

“Like my having an affair?” Helena asked. “That’s a great thing to think about a person.”

“It’s not like anyone who’s ever met Harold would blame you,” Maryse pointed out.

“That’s true,” Helena allowed. “I don’t know what to make of all of this. First, I wind up killed. Then I find myself wandering around the earth and causing trouble most everywhere I go, and now you tell me the baby I raised isn’t even my biological child. I guess that should relieve me some, given how he turned out, but it’s just sorta sad.”

Maryse blew out a breath. “I know he’s done some bad things in the past, but Hank is getting better and he’s still your son, Helena, no matter what the tests say. No one can take that away from either of you.”