The Baby Snatchers (14 page)

Without conscious thought, his mind turned
to the baby deaths and the apparent high incidence of newborn
deaths in the very hospital where she worked. He frowned
momentarily. The fact the deaths had happened in her workplace
didn’t mean she was guilty of any wrongdoing, or that anything
untoward had happened. SIDS was an accepted medical diagnosis and
as tragic as it was to lose a baby that way, sometimes it
happened.

But did it happen that often in other
hospitals?
That was something he’d have to find out. Right now,
he was going to concentrate on the beautiful woman who right now
was on her way up to his apartment. As if on cue, the doorbell rang
and once again, his heart jumped in his chest. Taking a calming
breath, he strode over to open the front door.

She looked even more beautiful up close. The
breeze had ruffled her hair, setting it awry, but in a nice way.
His gaze zeroed in on her lips, coated in a bright red gloss. Her
tongue darted out and then disappeared and heat rushed to his
groin. With an effort, he controlled the impulse to take her into
his arms and instead, stepped back to allow her to enter.

“Hi,” he said and smiled at her, wracking
his brain for something clever to say.

“Good morning. I’m sorry I’m late. I got
caught up in traffic.”

“No problem, it’s great to see you again.
Come in.” She followed him into the apartment and he headed toward
the open concept kitchen and living area, his heart beating double
time.

“That coffee smells great.”

“Would you like some?” he threw over his
shoulder.

She glanced at her watch. “Why not? Our
appointment’s not until nine. Even with this traffic, we should
make it in plenty of time.”

Cam hid his elation by turning away from her
and busying himself getting coffee cups from the cupboard. “How do
you take it?” he asked.

“With cream and sugar, please.” She hopped
up onto one of the bar stools that lined the counter.

He grinned. “The only way to drink coffee,
right?”

She smiled back at him. “I would have
thought, with you being a police officer and all, you’d drink it
black as tar. Isn’t that how they do it on TV?”

He chuckled. “Not this cop. I like it sweet
and creamy, although it’s probably not the healthiest thing to do.”
He patted his flat stomach.

She gave him a slow once-over that sent
blood rushing to his groin. “I don’t know. You look like you can
handle it. You must work out every day of the week.”

The teasing glint in her eyes sent his pulse
thrumming in his ears.
Was she flirting with him?
Hell, he
wasn’t sure, but she was a long way from the solemn, professional
nurse he’d struck the first time round. Granted, that situation had
called for sobriety, but apart from her initial reaction to him,
she hadn’t given out many positive vibes.

Right now, he could almost feel the current
running between them. The thought that she might be interested in
him filled him with excitement and relief. He really liked this
woman and looked forward to getting to know her better.

“We’re out of shampoo, Cam.”

Cynthia stepped into the room, her hair
still wet from the shower. Cam hid his disappointment. His time
alone with Georgie had just come to an end. Still, he was pleased
to see his sister up and about, showered and wearing clean clothes.
It was a start.

“Cyn, remember Georgie. You met her while
you were at the hospital.”

Cam was relieved when Georgie took the
initiative and extended her hand. A moment later, Cynthia stepped
forward and shook it. “Hi,” she said shyly, ducking her head.

“It’s lovely to see you again, Cynthia,
Georgie replied with a smile. “I hope you’re ready for a day filled
with pampering. I have us booked in for manicures, pedicures, a
facial and a massage.”

Cam whistled, impressed. “That ought to do
it.”

Georgie tossed him a grin and his belly
somersaulted and filled with warmth. He knew, in that moment, she
was good and kind and generous. She barely knew either of them and
yet she’d set up all of this for his sister. It was almost too
much.

“I’ve never been to a spa before,” Cynthia
admitted softly, a blush still staining her cheeks.

“Well, you’re in for the treat of your
life!” Georgie exclaimed.

Cam handed Georgie a cup of coffee and she
murmured her thanks. Their fingers touched. Cam’s belly nosedived
from the contact and he wondered if she’d felt it, too. He stared
at her, but she’d averted her gaze and he was left to
speculate.

“What’s for breakfast, Cam?”

He dragged his gaze away from Georgie and
focused on his sister. “I bought fresh pastries from the bakery and
there’s orange juice in the fridge. Help yourself.” He moved the
plate closer to the women.

Georgie took notice of the assortment on
offer and smiled. “Almond croissants! My favorite! Boy, if I’d
known about this, I would have saved my cereal for another
day.”

Cynthia screwed up her face. “Cereal!
Yuck!”

“Two Weet-Bix, yoghurt, milk and a few
strawberries. It gets me going every day.”

Cynthia rolled her eyes, but a smile teased
at her lips. “Sounds like a TV commercial.”

Cam smiled at Georgie. “Sounds
delicious!”

“Yes, but not as delicious as this!” Georgie
reached over and selected an almond croissant. Taking a bite, she
sighed in delight. “
Mm
, this is heaven!”

Over pastries and coffee, the three of them
spent the next few minutes in idle chitchat. Too soon, Georgie
glanced at her watch and pushed away from the counter.

“We need to get moving, Cynthia. Are you
just about done?”

His sister nodded and wiped her mouth with
the back of her hand. “I just need to brush my teeth,” she said
quickly and headed down the corridor toward the bathroom.

Cam turned to Georgie. A dusting of icing
sugar was caught on the tip of her nose. He came toward her and his
heart started a slow and steady thump. She stared at him, her eyes
wide with anticipation. He stopped less than a foot away and
reached out and wiped the white powder off her nose. For an
instant, her eyes flared with desire before she quickly looked
away.

“You had icing sugar on your nose,” he
managed, his voice husky with need.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her gaze still
focused at her feet.

“No, thank
you
.”

She looked up and his gut somersaulted once
again. Her dark liquid eyes seemed to peer right into his soul.
“For what?”

“For this. For Cynthia. I’ve never seen her
so engaged. She’s almost like a normal teenager, complaining about
the food. I can’t thank you enough for doing that, for bringing her
back.”

Georgie shrugged and looked away. A becoming
blush stole across her cheeks. “It’s nothing.”

Cam took hold of her chin with his fingers
and tilted up her head. “It’s
everything
.”

Georgie smiled. “Let’s see how you feel
after the day is over. You might end up paying for regular trips to
the day spa. I might unleash a monster.”

He chuckled. “It would be worth every
cent.”

Georgie’s expression turned serious and she
slowly shook her head. “You really are the nicest person I
know.”

His heart filled with warmth. “Right back at
you.”

Dear Diary,

It saddens me to know she’s taken our
actions hard. I’m told she’s scared and confused and has begun to
question her own ability. I wish I could ease her suffering, but I
must sacrifice her peace of mind for the greater good.

From the moment I started down this path, I
knew I’d found my destiny. Matron knew me better than I knew
myself. Once my eyes were opened to the truth, she knew I would see
this was by far the best way to go. So many years, so many babies;
so many lives I’ve touched—and all for the better. Of this, I am
certain.

* * *

Georgie glanced across at Cynthia where she
lay face down on a table identical to the one Georgie lay on. They
each had a massage therapist working over them, kneading the knots
out of their shoulders. It felt like heaven and from the soft
groans of appreciation coming from Cynthia’s direction, it appeared
she was feeling the same.

Earlier, they’d enjoyed manicures and
pedicures. Cynthia had exclaimed over the range of bright colors.
She’d chosen a hot pink with a glittery sparkle in the polish.
Georgie had gone for straight crimson. With their facials yet to
come, it would be lunchtime before they finished.

She hadn’t asked Cameron what he was up to,
but she assumed he was heading to work. He was dressed in a suit
and tie, similar to the one he’d worn the first day they’d met. The
charcoal suit fabric and pale blue shirt contrasted nicely against
his dark hair and olive skin and she couldn’t help but notice the
way the clothing enhanced his physical appeal. There was no doubt
about it: He wore a suit well.

“
Mm
, that feels
sooo
good,”
Cynthia murmured.

Georgie turned her head in the girl’s
direction. “You like it?”

Cynthia lifted her head and grinned. “I’ve
never felt anything so fantastic! Thank you so much for bringing
me, Georgie.”

Georgie smiled and lay her head back down on
the cushion. It made her feel good to know she’d helped distract
Cynthia from the tragedy that had befallen her and her baby, even
for a little while. Georgie’s thoughts shifted to Sandra and Wes
and her pleasure dissipated. Somewhere in the city was another
young mother making preparations to bury her child. It was
heartbreaking to have knowledge of it, let alone have had intimate
dealings with the devastated couple.

Even now, Georgie couldn’t understand how it
had happened. The results from the standard newborn tests were all
within normal limits and the baby’s withdrawal symptoms had
appeared negligible. Sandra’s baby wasn’t one Georgie had
identified as being at high risk of severe withdrawals and yet,
Marjorie had indicated that, failing any other explanation and even
though they couldn’t prove it, this was the likely reason for his
death. Yet again, the official cause of death would be listed as
SIDS.

The fact that three babies in Georgie’s care
had died shortly after birth in such a short space of time was very
troubling. She’d worked as a midwife for two years. Over that time,
as far as she knew, infant deaths were few and far between. In
fact, until recently, every one of those babies had died in utero
and the parents of the child and the staff were aware of it
beforehand.

The mother still had to endure labor and the
whole procedure was permeated with sadness and pain. Knowing from
the outset the baby was deceased made it beyond difficult for
everyone to see through to the end. As desperate as Georgie was for
a baby she could raise as her own, she could only hope and pray she
never had to experience the tragedy of a labor where the baby was
stillborn.

But what had happened lately was different.
Every time one of the babies died, she’d wracked her brain, trying
to work out where she’d gone wrong. The deliveries had all been
uneventful. The babies had tested fine. And yet, twelve or so hours
later, they were dead. She was missing something in her
understanding, something crucial, and she didn’t have a clue what
it was. The knowledge was eating away at her.

After each death, her mom assured her it
wasn’t anything to do with her. Even her Aunt Rosemary had weighed
in with her support. The baby had died and nobody was really sure
why. Sometimes it happened. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. There was
nothing anyone could do. Though Georgie wanted to believe their
reassurances, in the dark of night, the fear that Georgie had
overlooked something important during the birth or even shortly
afterwards wouldn’t be denied.

It had gotten to the point now, where she
was losing confidence in her midwifery skills. She’d worked as a
pediatric nurse for five years with only a couple of fatalities.
She’d been a midwife less than half that time and in the last three
weeks, three babies she’d delivered had died. The fact that she
hadn’t been on the shift when it had happened didn’t count.
Somehow, somewhere, she’d failed to recognize a problem and it had
cost three babies their lives.

“What’s the matter, Georgie? You look
sad.”

Cynthia’s quiet comment penetrated Georgie’s
depressing thoughts. With an effort, she forced a smile on her face
and wished it didn’t feel so much like a grimace. “Nothing. I’m
fine. How’s your massage?”

Cynthia grinned, her expression filled with
contentment. “Beyond wonderful. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so
relaxed.”

“I’m glad and you deserve it. That’s the
reason for coming to a place like this. I used to come quite a bit,
but lately it’s hard to find the time.”

“It should be compulsory for everyone to
experience a day spa once in their life! If I could afford it, I’d
come every week!” She grinned with such genuine pleasure, once
again Georgie was warmed all the way through.

The spa treatments hadn’t come cheap, but as
far as she was concerned, they were worth every cent. Before she’d
left his condo, Cameron had handed her two, hundred-dollar bills,
but she’d refused to accept them. She didn’t expect Cameron to
understand, but this was
her
treat; her way of apologizing
to her patient. It could never make up for the loss of a baby, but
it was something.

Afterwards, Georgie took Cynthia to lunch at
a restaurant on the boardwalk at Circular Quay. The early winter
sun was warm on their faces as they watched the seagulls gathered
on the wharf. Cynthia ordered fish and chips and a Diet Coke.
Georgie ordered a chicken Caesar salad and a latté. While they
waited for their food to arrive, Georgie took a moment to study the
girl who sat opposite her.