She was looking at the cloth wrap on Josie’s back.
At the small bundle inside it.
At the baby’s lips.
They were the color of a faded bruise.
Lauren touched two fingers to the baby’s cheek.
Cold.
Too cold.
“Josie. What’s his name?”
“Eli. He’s five months old.”
The girl’s lip shook.
“He stopped crying a long time ago. I thought he was sleeping.”
“You did everything right. I need to take him out of the wrap, okay?”
Josie nodded.
Lauren’s fingers worked the knot at the girl’s shoulder.
Her hands moved fast.
Too fast for a nurse who shook.
She caught herself and slowed down.
The baby slid into her arms.
Light as a loaf of bread.
His skin felt like a cold plum.
His eyes were half open and did not focus.
“Nurse Pierce.”
Greiss’s heels clicked closer.
“Hand that infant to security. Now.”
