5:16 a.m. General Hospital, La Crosse

Wrapped in Jimmy’s bedspread, John slumped in a chair near his son’s bed. He tried praying, but he couldn’t concentrate over the motorized hissing.

Jimmy was barely visible. Just a shock of dark hair above blankets; small body dwarfed by equipment.

John thoughts raced back to when Jimmy was a baby and the lullaby he used to sing to him.

Heart aching, he bowed his head. This time, prayer came easily.

Someone coughed.

John turned. In the doorway, stood Oscar. Arm in a sling.

“What happened to you?”

“I’m fine,” whispered Oscar. “Can...can we talk?”

John nodded. “Walk with me.” He kissed Jimmy’s cheek.

As they strolled outside in the pre-dawn light, Oscar broke the news.

“Dead?” John faltered. Oscar helped him to sit down on the grass. “Oh, no... I... I don’t believe it.” John’s eyes brightened with tears. “Andy, no. No.”

Oscar nodded.

John crossed himself, whispering a short prayer. Not only was Andrew a great and loyal friend, the Canadian was the key to much of his adult life. Without him, Jimmy would not have been born. He wouldn’t have a son. Wouldn’t have achieved his family’s destiny. “An explosion? But... but how? He’s always so careful.”

“We’re not sure. Fire Marshall’s investigating.” Oscar shifted, then grimaced. “The lab, it...it’s just pieces.”

John stared vacantly.

“His papers...destroyed.”

John didn’t reply.

“Without them, Phil says we can’t...”

“Oh, dear Lord…”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Oscar asked. “I thought you trusted me. I...I love Jimmy.”

John reached for his friend’s shoulder. “I hope you’ll forgive me. I wanted to tell you, but...the fewer who knew, the better for Jimmy.”

“The scientists, they’re crucifying us. Without Andrew’s documentation...”

“Our own doubting Thomases.” John smiled faintly. “What proof have we that God exists?” He spread his arms wide. “All this, but is it tangible proof? Scientifically documented proof?” He rubbed his unshaven chin and added, “Faith, Oscar. The foundation of any belief, of any religion. Faith. Jimmy…Jimmy’s the Son of God. Given time, he will be the proof.”

Neither spoke for a moment.

“You’ve something else to tell me,” John finally said. “Something that grieves you.”

“Yes.”

“Go ahead. You’ve nothing to fear.”

“I do. God help me. I’ve betrayed you,” Oscar said in a rush. “You were right not to confide in me.”

“Betrayed! How?”

“A past sin returned to haunt me... and... I was a coward. I’m so sorry.” He turned from John’s gaze to stare at the ground. “Virginia Darrow blackmailed me. You see, years ago a young woman needed my help and I...” He swallowed. “I failed her and she was murdered. Darrow was a reporter at the time. I recognized her, but I let her inside the Ministry to cover myself.” He bowed his head. “When I should have been protecting you and Jimmy.”

“You let her in and now she...she’s destroying us.” John stared at his anguished friend, then added softly, “Every man is guilty of the good he didn’t do.”

Tears streamed down Oscar’s cheeks. “I don’t know what to say...I’ll do anything, anything to make it up to you.”

John rubbed his temples. Finally, he replied, “I believe you will.”