“I think the doctor should have sent you home yesterday, is what I think. You have the energy to be such a smart-ass, you have the energy to go home,” she said in an admonishing tone of voice, but with a smile at the corner of her mouth.

“If I clean my plate, will you be happy with me again?” I asked with a lowered brow and a fake pout of contrition.

“Who said I was happy with you to begin with?” she fired back as she turned for the door.

“Madilyn, you sure know how to torture a man.”

“Ha!” she barked as she left the room. Then, over her shoulder she said, “Bob Martin went home this morning. He’s doing okay.”

I smiled as I listened to her footsteps retreating down the hall. Madilyn had been an angel. I could not have had a more efficient nurse and a better companion for the last several days. And that was great news about Bob.

I lifted the cover of a plate. Hooray! Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and turnip greens. I dove in with a real appetite. And I hadn’t been kidding about the Jell-O—I really do enjoy it, it’s right up there with Spam.

I was just pushing away the tray when there was a knock on the door and Patricia leaned in.

“Come in,” I called and waved her to the chair. “You’re too late for lunch, but maybe I can call room service and have them send up some ice water.”

“How are you feeling today, Kennesaw? Did you rest well last night?” she asked as she lowered herself to the chair.

“Seems the infection’s finally subsided. Second night in a row with no night sweats. Word is—unofficial, of course, until the doc swings by—that I may just get out of here today.”

“Where will you stay when they let you out?” Patricia asked. “You know you’re welcome at my place. You can have the guest room, and your buddies can come and go as they please.”

“I know, and thanks for the offer, Patricia. But Parker and Danny Ray have Miss Rosalie put back together again. And I can rest there better than any other place I know.”

“Well, the offer is always there if you change your mind.”

I reached over and touched her hand. “Thanks. Now, tell me about what’s going on. What’s the latest news out in the world of crime?”

Patricia was a fount of information today. Leon Wren was in the burn center in Atlanta, and it looked like he was going to live. When he ran past me he had plunged off the bank and into the creek. Parker and Danny Ray had hauled him out of the water and onto Miss Rosalie, and he had gone to the hospital in the ambulance with me.