Vanessa and I had gotten used to the idea of having a baby around. It took me a few days to come around; the shock about did me in. But by week fifteen, a tiny little belly started popping out under her clothes. It drove her crazy because none of her pants fit, but it drove me crazy for a completely different reason. She was carrying my baby, and she’d never looked more beautiful.

I’d also convinced her to take a desk job at the law firm, still not sure why she had been out in the field testing water in the first place. I later learned from Mr. Condry that she had insisted. Sounded about right.

With her secure every day from eight to five, I began the daunting task of baby-proofing Ma’s – my – house. I’d argued that I’d grown up in that house and I’d turned out just fine. The sideways look she’d given me at that didn’t look too amused.

After she left for work I texted her, putting up one last fight about my collectible G.I. Joe figures being relegated to the attic. She didn’t answer, which I took as a sign that I’d better do as I was told. So I blasted the radio and prepared the house for every possible way a baby could hurt itself. As I was taking yet another box of my ‘toys’ up to the attic for safe keeping, a news report broke in, cutting off the last guitar riff of Any Way You Want It.

“Bruce Reid here from the WKTK news desk. There are reports that a female’s body was found in a newer model SUV this morning near Bennett Street. The woman, who deputies say appears to be in her early to mid-twenties, died of an apparent gunshot wound.”

I dropped the box of toys and ran downstairs to the kitchen. No messages! Snatching up my keys, I called Vanessa… twice. Voicemail.

Then I broke protocol – again – and dialed Cruz’s number. “Get here now!” I hung up and tried Vanessa’s number again and again.

When I had almost reached the Condry and White office downtown, my phone rang. “What in the world are you doing? Stalker!” Vanessa’s sweet, beautiful voice teased. “Didn’t we already have a talk about you being an overprotective Daddy? You’ve got a few more months to go before it’s your turn.”

“Have you seen the news?”

She made no sound. I could picture the laugh fading from her face on the other end of the line. “What’s wrong? Is it Daddy?”

“No. No. You’re father’s fine. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”

“What’s going on, Martin? You’re scaring me.”

“Just gather your things. Tell Mr. Condry you’re working from home for a while. Blame it on the baby.”

“That’s bad luck.”

“Whatever you have to say. You’re coming home. You have ten minutes.” I hung up and white-knuckled the steering wheel.

Seven minutes later, I squealed into the parking lot and landed Ma’s old Camry beside Rhonda. As I entered the law office, Vanessa and both her bosses were standing in front of a small television.

“After notifying the next of kin, the coroner has released the name of the woman found this morning on Bennett Street. Vanessa Landrell had recently moved to Caldwell, only three months ago. No word yet on the motive. Stay tuned to News Ten for more information.”

Vanessa ran to me, trembling. “Oh, Martin. Do you think…” She buried her face in my chest.

“We can’t take any chances. Cruz is on his way. Let’s get you home.” I pulled her away from me, against every instinct.

Mr. Condry, tall and rather fit for his advanced age, approached us. “What are you two mixed up in? Is that your doing?” He pointed at the small television.

Vanessa, who’d begun to cry, said, “Of course not!” but her voice betrayed her.

“I don’t know what this is but I want no part of it. I can’t have this, or you, associated with my company. People are counting on us to–”

Whatever he said after that, we didn’t hear. I ushered Vanessa out the door and helped her into Ma’s car. Rhonda was too noticeable. We needed to blend in.

Just as we turned the corner toward the house, my phone rang again. I looked at the caller ID and took a deep breath, cracking my neck in preparation. “Sir, she’s fine.”

“There are reports…” Marco was furious.

“Do you have people watching us, Mr. Genovese?” How did he know so fast?

“Of course I do! You have my princess a thousand miles away! And then something like this happens!”

I didn’t bother to correct him on the mileage. He had a point. I’d let my guard down, and I deserved whatever he threw at me. So I said nothing and took the tirade.

“I’m coming up!” Marco had calmed down after a while. Now he just sounded like a scared father. I was inclined to agree until Vanessa slapped me on the arm and rubbed her protruding stomach with her other hand.

“Sir, I promise, we have it under control. We still don’t know if it’s related. We’re being very cautious. You’d only be another target to secure, dividing my attention.”

Marco sighed. “Please take care of my baby.”

“I will, sir. Cruz is coming back to the house, indefinitely. I promise, everything is going to be OK.”