Short chapter for now. More to come shortly.
Chapter 6
The next morning Dom went to check on String. He had been quiet and nearly catatonic when he dropped him off the night before. He was worried and he didn't like the idea of leaving him alone for very long.
When Dom walked into the cabin he saw that String was passed out on the couch. There were photos of Caitlin with both or either of them at various events and parties strewn on the coffee table as well as the floor. Dom picked up one and sighed. It was a still image of the kissing scene he and Caitlin had done when she first arrived in California. He remembered thinking even then that they would make a great couple. Now she was gone and he was left to pick up the pieces from yet another loved one that String had lost.
Dom walked over and put his hand on Hawke's shoulder to shake him awake. "String?" he asked. "String, are you okay?"
Hawke opened his eyes and stared at his friend. "Define okay," he said. "Then remind me that drinking doesn't help anything. I feel like death warmed over."
"Hmmph, you look like it too," replied Dom.
String sat up slowly and shook his head. "You didn't have to come and babysit me," he said. "I'm not going to do anything rash."
"Oh, I know," replied Dom . "I'm just here in case you need anything."
"You can tell me this is all a dream and I'm going to wake up with Caitlin in my arms," he said. "That's what I wish you could do for me."
"I wish I could too," said Dom. "I want more than anything for her to be alive. You know that."
Hawke stood up and moved over to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. "I don't believe she's dead Dom," he said. "I feel like she's out there. It's just like I believe that Saint John is still out there somewhere."
"String, I know how you feel. I want her to be alive too. I really do," replied Dom. "I called Michael this morning and had him look into it. He gave me the same information. There were no survivors. He'll be here soon. Apparently he has some other news about the accident that he wants to share in person."
Hawke took a sip of his coffee and then put the cup down on the bar. "Well, I have a lot of questions. What caused the accident Dom? Why did they go off the road? Were they being chased? If so, did they jump out," he replied. "I need answers because none of this makes any sense to me."
String offered Dom coffee and the two moved over and sat on the couch to wait for Michael. "Why do I suddenly have a strange feeling that Michael is involved in all this," said Hawke.
"I don't know," replied Dom. "But, ya know, after talking to him, so do I."