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Odelia felt grateful that he was there, providing some much-needed support for her dad, who looked devastated by his wife’s sudden collapse and brush with death.

Suddenly a familiar figure dropped by in the form of Uncle Alec, followed by Charlene. They’d both clearly been fast asleep, as Uncle Alec’s few remaining hairs stood akimbo, and Charlene’s own curly blond tresses were plastered to the side of her face.

“Any news on my sister?” asked Uncle Alec the moment they swept into the room.

Odelia shook her head sadly. No news. Not yet.

“How did this happen?” asked her uncle as he took a seat next to her and Chase.

“I have no idea,” she said. “Maybe something she ate—food poisoning?”

“Oh, honey,” said Charlene, as she took Odelia’s hands in hers and squeezed.

And so they sat for a while, trying to keep their nerves under control.

“Where are the cats?” suddenly asked Gran.

“I-I totally forgot about them,” said Odelia.

“So they’re all home alone?”

“They’ve got Rambo to keep an eye on them,” she said, understanding her grandmother’s meaning perfectly. With this cat killer on the loose, even the house wasn’t safe for them.

“I’m sure your cats will be fine,” said Dudley, proving himself to be a real pillar of strength to the family in this, their darkest hour.

“I shouldn’t have kicked out Clarice,” said Odelia now.

“Wait, you kicked out Clarice?” asked Gran. “Why?”

Odelia shrugged.“Dudley made a valid point about Clarice bringing all kinds of parasites and vermin into the house, and even infesting our own cats. So I put her out.”

Gran directed a not-so-friendly look at Dudley, who pretended not to notice.“That was probably the worst kind of advice he could have given you,” said the old lady.

“I know, I know,” said Odelia, rubbing her eyes. It hadn’t been her best decision ever, and she now felt thoroughly bad about asking Clarice to leave. She felt even worse about forgetting to bring along her cats now. But in the commotion after finding her mother unresponsive, she’d completely lost her head.

“Clarice will be fine,” said Chase now, patting her hand. “And so will your cats.”

“What’s taking them so long?” Dad said. “This is a bad sign, right? It can’t be good.”

“You tell me,” said Uncle Alec. “You’re the doctor, Tex, so you should know.”

“Okay,” said Dad, nodding. “So let’s just assume it’s a good sign. A very good sign.” And he went right on pacing, this time taking a turn along the hospital corridor.

“So how’s the project?” asked Odelia. She had zero interest in the mall project, but anything would do to take her mind off her mom’s condition. “Is the mall happening?”

But Charlene shook her head.“The developers called me this afternoon. The results came back from a feasibility study they ordered six months ago and it wasn’t good. According to the study, building and operating a second mall in the area simply isn’t economically viable so close to the Hampton Keys mall, so they’ve taken a radical decision and they’re going to drop the project entirely. Cut their losses while they can.”

“What, no mall?” asked Chase.

“No mall,” said Charlene, then shrugged. “Maybe it’s for the best. I wasn’t a big proponent of the project, and I don’t think I would have gotten a majority in the council.”

“The mall isn’t happening?” suddenly asked Dudley, looking stunned.

“No, it’s been shelved by the developers,” said Charlene. “Not economically viable.”

“But… so Tex’s plot of land…”

“Oh, Tex will definitely be able to sell,” said Charlene. “But not at the inflated prices the developers were willing to offer. I think we’ll go back to our housing development idea. Turn the area into a great neighborhood for young families. Much better that way.”

“But… no!” said Dudley, looking stricken. He’d gone red in the face and was striking the palm of his hand with his fist.

“It’s all right, Dudley,” said Odelia. “Mom and Dad didn’t really need that money.”

“Though it would have been nice,” said Gran.

It didn’t matter anyway—not if Mom wouldn’t make it. Immediately Odelia tamped down on the thought. Mom had to make it. She just had to.

And just then, Denby Jennsen appeared, looking tired but radiant.“It’s all right,” he announced happily. “Marge will be fine.” They all got up and crowded around the doctor. “Looks like a case of food poisoning to me,” he said. “Though we’ll have to wait for the lab results to know for sure. But she’s doing great—if you want you can go and see her now.”

They didn’t need to be told twice, and immediately were off in the direction indicated.

“Mom!” said Odelia the moment they set foot in her mother’s room. “Oh, Mom!” And then she was hugging her mom, who looked as if she’d been put through the wringer.

“I’m okay,” said Odelia’s mother, her voice a little weak.

“What happened?” asked Uncle Alec.