Page 28 of Oleander

“Do you have a camera on the outside of your home?” asked Eric.

“I have two,” she said nodding. “Initially my ex-boyfriend was harassing me, trying to get me to have an abortion. Once I was past the first trimester he stopped bothering me. He also realized I wasn’t going to ask him for a thing or involve him in George’s life.”

She stood and walked into the kitchen, then returned with her phone.

“Here’s the feed from the doorbell camera,” she said. Eric scrolled through until he found the date of Ms. Martin’s death. The angle was slightly off, but he could see smoke.

“Can I send this to our team to review?” he asked.

“Of course. Anything to help Ms. Martin,” she said. She opened her laptop, staring at her still sleeping son, Rod holding the handle of the spoon in the baby’s mouth.

“Here’s the feed from the outdoor camera that faces my carport. I was always worried someone would try to come in through that door. I’ll send you the forty-eight hours around the time of her death.”

“You’re awesome,” said Eric. “Why don’t you run your errands and I’ll help Rod with some things around here.”

“I can’t believe you’re doing this for me,” she said standing up. She stared down at her food-stained t-shirt and ragged jean shorts. “Let me change this top.” Eric watched as she disappeared.

“She’s pretty,” he smiled.

“Don’t. Do not start matchmaking with me, Eric. I don’t care how big you are, I’ll kick your ass.” Eric snorted, laughing at him.

“You wish.”

“I promise I won’t be longer than an hour,” she said grabbing her purse and keys. “He has bottles in the refrigerator and diapers in his room.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine,” said Rod. After she left, Eric pulled up the feeds and frowned, as he watched them.

“From this angle, it looks like the fire started around 0412. I don’t see her running out there to stop it. I don’t see anyone from this angle.” They both stared at the footage, Rod still holding the little bundle to his chest.

“It’s raining,” Rod said softly. “Look at the camera lens. Drops of rain. That’s what put the fire out. Not her.”

“Then how did she get the oleander on her skin?” frowned Eric.

“I don’t know. I’m going to bet when we send this to the boys in comms they’ll find something we don’t see,” he said. Eric nodded, closing his phone and laptop.

“You keep the kid happy. I’m going to do her dishes for her and straighten up.”

Rod nodded, staring at the angelic fat cheeks of the little cherub in his arms. He heard Eric making fast work of the kitchen, then the sound of the washing machine starting.

He stripped the baby’s crib, washed the sheets and put clean ones on the mattress. From there, he moved into the living room, picking up toys, blankets, and other items, placing them in the waiting baskets.

“You’ve done this before,” smirked Rod.

“Brother, when Sophia Ann was at the end of her pregnancy, she was huge. She was so uncomfortable and I felt guilty for that. It was my big ass that made her have a huge baby. Afterward, she was exhausted those first few months, just like that poor woman. This is the least we can do for her.”

At almost exactly an hour later, Gracyn walked in with bags of groceries, and diapers enough to last a month.

“Oh my gosh,” she whispered. “Am I in the wrong house?”

“Not at all,” laughed Eric. “We just thought we’d give you a hand. Did you get everything you needed?”

“I-I did,” she said staring at the unrecognizable space. “I just can’t get over this. And he’s still sleeping?”

“He is,” smirked Rod. “I put him down a little while ago. Riley sent over something to help with the teething. She said to give it to him after his nighttime bath and bottle. It’s not addictive, just something to hopefully get you some rest.”

“I can’t thank the two of you enough,” she said wiping the tears in her beautiful green eyes. Rod stared at the woman realizing that Eric was right. She was beautiful, even exhausted.

“We can’t thank you enough for the camera footage,” said Eric. “We’ll touch base again soon. Right, Roderick?”