Chapter 4
Rating: PG-13
Not mine ~ they just use my head for a playground sometimes.
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The next day, the sun was shining and the birds were singing. "Hard to believe the world's still going on as if nothing happened," Garret thought as he looked out at the skyline from the roof of the morgue, having escaped there in an attempt to gather his thoughts and compose himself before the rest of the staff came in. He knew that thought was silly. People died every day and the world kept turning. Why would the death of one detective make a difference?
As much as he hated the idea of Jordan coming in, he knew that she needed to know, to see for herself. He only hoped that somehow they'd all be strong enough to help her. Dr. Stiles had agreed to meet him at 8:00 to talk about things and make some plans for coping with everything. He was calling in some of his friends to help out. Some were going to be at the precinct and some were going to be at the morgue. This death might not make a difference to the world, but there were going to be people hurting and hurting badly. And so many questions to be answered. Stiles was going to deal with Jordan. He knew her and her quirks and insecurities and they both agreed that she needed someone she knew already.
Garret looked at his watch. 7:55 ~ time to head back downstairs to meet with Howard. Lois said she'd drop by to check in on things. One more look across Boston's skyline and a deep breath and Garret went back inside.
Howard Stiles was getting off the elevator as Garret rounded the corner. The men quickly moved towards Garret's office and shut the door.
"Have you talked with Jordan at all since last night, Garret?"
"No. Max called me first thing this morning. She'd cried herself to sleep, but had slept through the night after. He was going to let her sleep in and then bring her down here himself. He didn't want her driving. Neither do I."
"That sounds like a good plan. I know you have your doubts about her coming in, but this is something Jordan needs to do. She needs to see the body. This needs to be real and not just theoretical and words."
"I know you're right. It's just. . ."
"Hard. I know. We never like to see the people we know suffer. Tell me again how she took the news?"
"Went into pretty much text book denial. It couldn't be him. He was coming over for dinner to celebrate her birthday. It was a joke. That kind of thing."
"Alright. Not surprising."
"No. I. . .he had a present and a card for her in his jacket pocket. I took those to her. She wouldn't open them."
"It's understandable. What did you do with them?"
"I left them on the island counter in her kitchen area. I figured it would be better to leave them and when she's ready. . . Oh my God."
"What?"
"I know why Woody was in that area of the city."
"Why?"
"I said something about a cake I'd gotten for Abby that Jordan helped me eat one night and how much Jordan loved it. Woody said he was going to get one for Jordan for her birthday. The bakery. . . It's in that area. I guess he'd gone down there to put the order in in person."
"Alright. While I'm not generally one to advocate keeping things from people, I don't think we need to tell her about that. We don't know for sure that's why he was in that area. There's the possibility that he was just walking around and it had nothing to do with the cake. And even if he was. . .
"Right. She doesn't need to know that he might have been where he was because he was doing something for her. Just to make sure, I'll call them and see if an order was placed and if so cancel it."
"That sounds like a plan. Garret, I want you and Nigel especially to sit down with some of my colleagues who will be here. Yes, everyone will be affected in some way, but the two of you are probably more embroiled in grief than either of you realize. I'd do it myself, but. . ."
"It's alright. No argument there. I understand. Jordan is going to need you."
There was a knock on the door and they looked up to see Lois Carver standing in the hallway. Garret motioned her into the office.
"I called his parents last night. His father was going to be on the first flight he could get this morning. He should be in around 10:30 to pick up the body and arrange for transport back to Wisconsin."
"How soon?"
"As soon as possible. They want to do the service there and bury him in the family plot. I. . .I understand their feelings, but we need to do something here for our own closure. . ."
"We will, Lois. Maybe not the pomp and circumstance funerals we're accustomed to with the local boys, but we'll do something." Garret reached out and squeezed her hand.
"How did Jordan take the news?" Lois really liked Jordan and felt for the girl. No one understood ~ or really knew ~ how much this was going to affect her.
"She's in denial, but seems to be holding her own. Max took her to his house last night. This morning's report is that she slept through the night. She should be here after she wakes up. Maybe I should call Max and. . ." The phone on his desk interrupted Garret's musings. "Macy. . . .Hi Max. How's she. . . Alright. So you're on your way? . . . Ok. We'll see you in about half an hour. Thanks Max."
"So. . .?" Howard Stiles was trying to read Garret's expression and the conversation he'd heard.
"Jordan's awake. Max is making her eat something and then he's going to bring her down here. At least that should give her some time before Woody's father gets here."
"Alright. I'm going back over to the precinct to do the morning meeting and let them know about the counseling that's available. Then I'll be back here. I feel like. . ." Lois stopped and swallowed hard.
"I understand. Lois, if we can do anything else. . ."
"Thanks Garret. I'll see you in a little while."
She walked towards the elevator bay and waited for the doors to open. When they did, Nigel, Bug, Peter and Lily piled off, all looking shaken. Garret greeted them and ushered them into his office. He filled them in on all he knew.
"Dr. Macy, I know that my job is grief coun-. . ."
"Lily. It's ok. I'm going to deal with Jordan and I'm bringing in some of my colleagues to have available for each of you to talk with. One or two of them will be available for families of other bodies here at the morgue. You don't have to worry about things."
"But. . ."
"Lily, it's alright. I wouldn't expect anyone in your shoes to do your job right now. You've all had a huge shock and need to take some time to begin to deal with your own feelings." Stiles' voice was stern, but his eyes were reassuring. Lily relaxed and allowed herself to begin to feel the emotions surging through her body.
Bug and Peter remained silent, not sure what to say or if their voices would work if they tried to talk.
"Dr. M, how did. . .?" Nigel began to ask the question that was floating in the air, but his voice cracked as he got to Jordan's name and he couldn't continue.
"About like you'd expect Nigel. She went to Max's house last night. He said that she slept through the night after crying herself to sleep. She's awake now and he's bringing her down here after she eats something."
"She's going to work today?" Nigel was incredulous. He was going to find it hard enough to work and he and Woody had only been friends. Ok, he knew there was no proof of anything, but he also knew Jordan. He knew that her friendship with Woody went deeper than probably even she realized.
"Probably not, Nigel. She needs to. . .to see the body. To make sure. Dr. Stiles is here specifically to help Jordan. As hard as it will be, work needs to go on. Mr. Hoyt will be here around 10:30 to make the arrangements for transporting the body back to Kewaunee. The service and burial will be there."
"But. . ." four voices spoke in unison.
"I was just talking with Detective Carver. We'll make arrangements to do some type of memorial here ~ for the precinct and for us. We all need that closure."
"Alright. If you need any. . ."
"Lily. It'll be alright. You do what you need to in order to take care of you. Let my people worry about the families ~ all the families."
"Ok."
"Alright. Now, why don't we all take a deep breath and get ready for what's coming, as much as we can. It's going to be a long day for all of us." Garret was trying to keep things as normal as possible. He looked at his watch. About five minutes before Jordan and Max got there. As hard as last night had been, he had a strong feeling that today was going to be even harder.
. . .to be continued. . .
