SPOILERS: None.
A/N: I did some research on Tamales Bay and found it spelled both with an "a" and an "o" (Tomales). For the sake of this story I will spell it with the "a" since that is familiar to most CSI fans. I don't have a beta so all errors are mine. Thanks so much for your reviews!
"Ladies and Gentleman we will be landing at San Francisco International Airport in approximately 20 minutes. Please note the captain has turned on the seatbelt sign and all passengers are to be in their seats. It is a chilly day in San Francisco today, currently 61ï‚ with a small northeasterly breeze and lots of coastal fog so bundle up if you planning on any sightseeing. We hope you have enjoyed your flight with us today and thank you for choosing America West."
Sara stared out her window at the familiar view of the city's skyline. It had been over four years since she had been home but not much had changed. At least not what you could see from the airplane that was currently circling SFO airport.
After picking up her luggage and the key from the Hertz rental agency, the last leg of Sara's journey was underway. She drove the dark blue Ford Focus onto the freeway and followed the signs to merge with Highway 1. Memories were flooding back to her as she drove past old haunts. She even found herself relieving the case of a floater they found near the Bay Bridge her first year at the SF Crime Lab. It was her first unsolved and she would never forget it. The cabin steward on America West had been right about the fog. It grew denser the closer Sara got to the coast. She continued to drive north and soon found herself nearing Tamales Bay. Her heart sank as she thought of the brief phone call with her mother earlier that day. She had tried to call her from the airport to let her know she was on her way and to see if Dylan had arrived yet but got no answer. Sara smiled a little as she thought of her older brother.
Although as intelligent as his sister, Dylan Sidle had a head for business, not forensics. He was a bank manager for Citibank in the Financial District of New York City. When he went away for college he had gone back home for a visit just once over Christmas break his junior year. It was the last time. Sara was curious what he would think of their hometown now. When he had left, like her, he had never looked back.
Sara parked the car across the street from the "The Silent Cove". It was a Bed & Breakfast her parents had owned and operated for most of Sara's life. The pale yellow exterior with white shutters and intricate trellis design was still quaint but showing it's age. They had a prime location overlooking the Pacific Ocean that helped keep The Silent Cove booked solid most of the year. The name actually referred to a section of beach close to the B&B. There was a cove that was part of Tamales Bay State Park and though it was not officially named, Sara and her family had always referred to it as such. It was a small inlet of still ocean waters and beautiful rock formations. When you stood in the middle of it the ocean was suddenly quiet. Sometimes the sound of crashing waves all but disappeared. Sara and her brother often played there as children and imagined they were stranded castaways on a tiny island finding shelter in the cove. No civilized life for miles. It was closer to the truth then they liked to admit.
Sara carried her two small bags up the stairs to the front door. As she set them down to knock, the door opened and she looked up to see her brother standing in the doorway.
"Dylan!" Sara was surprised and pleased to see her brother had beaten her there. She hadn't relished the thought of being alone with her mother.
"Hey little sis." Dylan reached down and drew Sara into an embrace. As they parted Sara observed how little her brother had changed. His chocolate brown eyes mirrored her own. Unlike her however, his hair was sandy blond but it had a natural wave. Dylan had his father's genes expressed much more obviously that Sara did. Sara on the other hand looked just like her mother.
"Sara?" Diana Sidle materialized in the doorway. Her dark brown hair was peppered with gray and was cut shorter than Sara remembered. It was naturally curly and fell just past her ears. Her eyes were puffy and she held a tissue in her right hand. Although she was visibly grieving, her face looked younger than her 58 years. Tears started to fall again as she reached for Sara. Sara complied and hugged her back, content to let her mother cry for a bit on her shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye, Sara saw her brother's posture stiffen and he shifted uncomfortably on his feet. If he was grieving too, it didn't show and Sara wouldn't expect it to. He reached down and grabbed her bags. Carrying them into the house, he called back to Sara over his shoulder. "I'll put these in your old room." Sara didn't reply as she pried herself from her mother's grasp.
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"So – how was the flight?"
Sara looked up from the local newspaper she was skimming as her brother spoke. He took a seat in the recliner opposite the couch she was currently occupying.
"It was fine, thanks. Very short. How was yours?"
Her brother paused for a moment and appeared to be trying to remember.
"It wasn't that long ago Dylan. I mean you got here today right?"
Dylan stood up and avoided Sara's curious stare. "Yes, of course I did. I'm sorry, I was thinking of something else. My flight was fine. Some airlines work miracles when they find out it's a death in the family."
Sara nodded and looked away, apparently satisfied with his answer.
"Mom's taking it really hard." Dylan returned to the recliner.
Sara snorted and rolled her eyes. She opened her mouth to respond but quickly closed it as her mother entered the room carrying a tray. She set it on the coffee table between Sara and Dylan. As she poured tea, her children sat in silence.
"Mom, I need to know exactly what happened to dad. What type of accident was it?" Sara waited for an answer as her mother poured tea. An almost imperceptible glance passed between Diana and her son before she answered. Sara was getting impatient and wanted details. "Mom?"
"He fell. He was walking down on the beach. He must have taken the trail that goes over the cove and fell, onto the rocks." Diana's voice cracked as she spoke and she pulled a tissue from her pants pocket. Fresh tears began to fall and Sara couldn't bear to look at her. She looked instead at Dylan, who refused to meet her eyes. He stood again and walked to the bay window.
"I'm getting some fresh air." Dylan informed them as he started for the front door.
Sara watched him leave and then turned back to her mother.
"When did this happen?"
Diana hesitated before answering. "Sunday."
"Sunday?!" Sara repeated. "That was four days ago! Why didn't you call us sooner? What were you waiting for?"
Diana stared at her hands and didn't answer. She was still crying and Sara decided to let it go for now.
"Well, what did the police say? Did you talk to the CSI on the case?"
"It wasn't a crime Sara, it was an accident. The police said the ME ruled it an accident and they aren't investigating it any further." Diana stared straight ahead with unseeing eyes. "All that is left now is to bury him." She patted Sara's knee and stood up.
"Your brother is making all the funeral arrangements. You might check to see if he needs any help. It's been quiet since you got here but there have been people in and out all week with food and flowers." Diana gestured to the floral arrangements that currently decorated the living room.
"I haven't decided what to do with this place. I am not sure I can run it on my own, or if I even want to. We can discuss it later, as a family. I'm very tired so I'm going to go lie down for a while. Maybe you should do the same."
"No, I'm going to go find Dylan."
Diana sighed and nodded her head. "Your father was far from perfect Sara, but he was still your father and he loved you and your brother. In your own way I believe you and Dylan still loved him too. I know right now you are angry but I believe you will both grieve when you are ready to let go of the past." With that said, Diana turned and left the room.
Sara sat alone on the couch and considered her mother's words. At that moment, she really had no idea what to feel.
TBC