The Pink Lotus by Garrett Hutson

Author:Garrett Hutson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Shanghai Badlands, LGBT Mystery, LGBT Historical Fiction, Gangs of Shanghai, Spy Mystery, Murder in Shanghai, Drag Queens
Publisher: Warfleigh Publishing
Published: 2023-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

15

Wednesday, April 20

“Commander, Mrs. Bainbridge is on the line,” the voice of the front desk lieutenant crackled over the intercom.

Doug’s heart did a double beat. Lucy didn’t call him at the office—especially not barely an hour after he arrived. There was only one reason that she’d be calling. But the baby’s not due for another five days. And everyone said first babies were almost always late.

“Put her through.” He answered before the first ring was barely started. “Lucy? Are you alright, dear?”

“It’s coming today, Doug,” she said, sounding breathless.

His heart jumped again. “Are you sure? It’s early.”

“Yes, I’m sure. Mother agrees. The pains started right after you left this morning. Not five minutes after you walked out the door, doesn’t that just figure? It’s like the baby knew this was the least convenient part of the day.”

“Other than the middle of the night,” Doug said, more boisterous than he’d intended, and now suddenly conscious that his grin was so big the corners of his mouth ached.

He was glad to hear a laugh from her. “That’s true. At least our baby won’t be a complete brat from the beginning.”

He loved her sense of humor. He God damn loved it.

“But you’re really sure? Have you called George?”

“We’re sure. This isn’t like those random ones I’ve had the last few days. They’re regular, and they’re strong. Mother’s helped me time them—they were eight minutes apart, but it’s down to about six minutes now. And no, I haven’t called George—I wanted to call you first, silly.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes!” He dropped the receiver into the cradle a little too hard, and cringed at how loud it would sound on Lucy’s end of the line. Too late now. He grabbed his cap and sprinted out the door.

“My wife’s having a baby!” he said to the front office staff. He might have been embarrassed at how loudly he said it, almost shouting it, but he was too damned excited to care.

The announcement was greeted with a chorus of congratulations that he barely acknowledged in his rush toward the stairs.

**

Lucy was sitting on the couch when he hurried in, her mother next to her and holding her hand. Lucy’s face was flushed, and her forehead sweaty. Her suitcase stood beside the couch. Bao was on his hands and knees in the middle of the room, scrubbing a large spot on the floor with a sponge.

“No doubt at all now,” Lucy said with a faint smile.

“Your timing is perfect, Douglas,” Mrs. Kinzler said, rising from the couch. “It’s time to take Lucy to the hospital.”

“I’ve got a cab waiting,” Doug said, breathless from his sprint up the stairs.

“Go change,” Lucy said, an amused half-smile gracing her lips.

Doug looked down and realized with a start that he was still in his navy uniform. He sprinted to their bedroom, practically tore the uniform off without even bothering to close the door and dressed in his light wool suit as quickly as he could.

Mrs. Kinzler helped Lucy up from the couch while Doug grabbed the suitcase and held the front door.

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