She reached out and hugged Becca. It startled her. Becca tried to pull away but Virginia held on. Becca’s eyes closed, taking in the hint of vanilla, her mother’s signature scent transporting Becca back to her childhood days when she would lie on one side of her mother, Robbie on the other, the three of them reading in bed. There was nothing better than being in her mother’s arms. She wanted to say it was all okay, but a few kind words couldn’t erase years of coldness, all those years when Becca desperately needed a mother. She couldn’t show up now and expect Becca to forget about it.

Out of the corner of her eye, Becca spotted Christian and Rafi heading back toward them. She slowly untangled herself from Virginia, watching as her mother’s shoulders slumped. She ignored it. She wasn’t going to worry about managing her mother’s feelings.

“How is Nate? Did you get an update on him? Or on Mo and the Tribe?” Becca said, focusing all her attention on Christian.

“Nate’s stable. The doctor said he ingested a large dose of heroin. The paramedics gave him Narcan at the scene, and he was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. The ER doc saw a cut on his wrist and combined with the drugs, they’re concerned he was trying to commit suicide, so he’s been placed on a 5150,” Christian said.

“Did he say anything at all about Ash?”

“He’s not talking. Hasn’t said a word since they brought him in.”

“Maybe I could speak to him. See if I can’t get through to him. Get him to tell us something.”

“No one is going to let that happen. It would interfere with the investigation.”

She knew the answer before she ever asked the question.

“What about Mo and the others? Have they been arrested? Or charged?”

“Not yet. Joanne’s processing everyone and then she’s got to do interviews. It could be hours before we know anything else.”

Becca’s heart was racing, thinking about Ash’s confession.

“Ash said Mo was responsible for her attack. I need to speak with Wishard and tell her what she said,” Becca said.

“What are the odds I can convince you to stay here and let Joanne handle things?” Christian asked.

“Less than zero,” Becca responded.

Virginia sighed. “Rebecca, you’ve been running yourself ragged. I don’t usually agree with Christian, but he’s right. Let the police handle this. You should focus on Ash.”

There it was. Classic Virginia Ortiz. She couldn’t simply say, “I understand. Do what you need to do.” Even now, even after all they’d been through, she still wasn’t on Becca’s side.

“No one asked for your opinion,” Becca snapped.