Page 4 of The Girl and the Lies

“Every month we have a birthday party for all the kids whose birthdays are that month so that they will have a chance to celebrate even if they are stuck in the hospital during it. We are hosting one today, and one of the children who is celebrating his birthday heard that there was an FBI agent in the hospital. He dreams of joining the Bureau when he grows up.” Her eyes soften and fill with emotion at that comment. “I was hoping that you might go to the party and meet him. Maybe talk to him a little bit about what you do. I know you’re busy, and I understand if you can’t do it, but it would mean a lot to him and to us.”

I smile. “Of course, I can absolutely do that.”

She grins. “Thank you so much. The party starts in twenty minutes in the dayroom. I’ll see you there.”

I decide to pass the time before the party by going to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee. I know Sam is expecting me back in Sherwood later, so I call him to let him know I’m going to be starting back later than I thought.

“Hey, babe,” I say when he answers. “I just want to let you know that I haven’t left yet. I’m going to be getting home a little later than I thought. I didn’t want you to worry.”

“What’s going on? Is everything all right?” he asks.

It’s always his first instinct to assume something is probably wrong when I tell him that plans have changed in one way or another. Considering everything that has happened, it’s not necessarily an inexplicable response, but I still hate to hear the automatic spike of worry in his voice. I know how protective he is of me and how frustrating it is to him that there is frequently nothing he can do to keep me out of dangerous situations. He knows my dedication to my career and that I will do what I need to do. But at least in this situation, I can assuage his fears pretty easily.

“Everything is fine,” I tell him. “I’m at the hospital, and they asked me to stay to go to a birthday party they’re having for the kids. One of them wants to be an FBI agent, and they thought he might like to meet me.”

“A birthday party?” Sam asks with a chuckle. “Agent Emma Griffin, Make-a-Wish granter.”

I can’t help the laugh that tumbles out of me. “Yeah, it should be fun for the kids,” I say. “I don’t know how long it’s going to last, but it shouldn’t be too much longer.”

“All right. Well, you have a good time, and I’ll see you when you get home,” he says.

We end the call, and I sip my coffee as I make my way back to the main floor so I can find the dayroom. The doors are closed, and pieces of colorful tissue paper have been put up over the windows to preserve some of the surprise for the children who are already gathered out in the hallway excited about the party. I look at them and can’t help but wonder how many of these parties some of them have been to in the time they’ve been in the hospital.

The door opens slightly, and Mary looks out. She smiles when she sees me.

“There you are. Come on in.”

She opens the door enough for me to slip through, telling the children they have to wait just a little longer. I step into the room and see people scurrying around hanging decorations and organizing cupcakes on a long table. There are games set up and little goodie bags in a basket in the corner. It’s obvious how much care and attention has gone into putting this event on for the patients, and it makes my heart feel warm to see it.

“This looks great,” I tell Mary. “I’m sure the kids love it.”

“They really do,” she says. “We try to make each one a little different so that it’s not the same event every month. This month we’re going for a beach theme.” She looks across the room and waves. I follow her gaze and see a woman coming toward us. “There are a couple of people I’d like you to meet.”

The woman comes up to us and extends her hand to me. “Connie Stinson,” she says.

“This is Agent Emma Griffin,” Mary says, gesturing toward me. “She’s the agent handling the Terrence Brooks case.”

The words seem to have an impact on Connie, who nods. “That whole situation is horrible.”

“It is,” I agree.

“Connie is part of the Hearts of the Community Foundation, the charitable organization that makes so much of what we do for the children here possible. They sponsor the birthday parties as well as holiday events and activities throughout the year and help with supporting the families of patients when they need it,” Mary says.

“That’s a wonderful cause,” I tell her.

“Thank you,” she says. “The foundation is involved in a lot throughout the community, but our work with the children’s hospital is my favorite.” She looks to the side as the door opens and gestures toward a man who slipped in with an armful of grocery bags. “That’s the head of the foundation, Mike Morris.”

“Connie and Mike also sit on the board,” Mary explains. “They know about…”—she hesitates, her eyes sliding over to the other volunteers getting the party ready—“what we talked about earlier.”

I nod my understanding. “I’ll be adding that into my investigation.”

Mike walks over, and Mary introduces us.

“Nice to meet you,” he says. “I’m glad to hear things are being taken seriously.”

“It’s time to start the party,” another volunteer says.

“Go ahead and open the doors,” Mary tells her.

---