Back again. Sorry for the delay, and the last chapter. I promise this one will be better.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 24
After the awkwardness of Luke's words they still seemed to ring in Joan's head. The quick toneless four words that made her heart sink.
"I lied to her."
"Who's to say it was an actually lie?" Joan had tried to reason. But Luke had the answer. "The law would. It's called withholding evidence." He had said in a brisk voice.
Joan had again tried to reason with him with the comeback of "Grace is an anarchist, she doesn't like the governments ways."
Of course he spoke again, "I'm sure they agree on some things Joan.
Joan felt both sick and sorry at the same time. It was as if a huge bolder lay one her chest and there was nothing to be done about it. Of all the people why Grace? Why Luke?
Then she remembered what god had told her. "Talk to him."
Joan walked the hall towards Luke's room. She rapped her knuckles on the door three times.
No answer.
"Luke?"
She then opened the door.
Luke sat in the corner, knelt down on the floor with his knees up by his chin. He still wore the same blank face.
"You ok?" Joan asked hoping for an answer.
Then she realized on his knees he held a picture, the very picture she had just posted all over the town.
They sat in awkward silence for what seemed like forever.
Then he spoke.
"Grace hates this picture." He didn't move after he spoke, he just remained still.
Joan swallowed hard. She remembered god saying that she'd know what to say when the time came, and yet, nothing. Was it not the right time? She wished for some type of divine being to spring up and answer her, but she knew better.
She then reasoned to herself that it wouldn't hurt to just talk to him. He was her brother and he was scared. Even if it wasn't the "right time" it couldn't hurt.
"So" she said.
He continued to stare at the picture.
"She will be home soon Luke." She again tried to comfort him.
Luke looked up at her, his blue eyes shined with what looked like the beginning of tears.
He sniffed and responded in a quiet voice. " It doesn't matter." He dropped his head back to the picture.
"Luke, we don't know how she will respond yet, that was just one of Adams speculations." Joan found herself yelling towards the end of the sentence.
Luke raised his head again. "Yeah well, it was my speculation too."
"Give her a chance to decide for herself! If you get all these ideas in your head you might end up influencing her decision."
There was another long pause.
"Joan, can I ask you something?"
"Joan smiled. "Yeah, sure geek."
At the sound of "geek" he couldn't help but to put on a half smile as well.
"What do you think Grace will do?"
Joan, who was now sitting on the floor next to him, put an arm around his shoulder.
"I don't know." Her voice faded at the end.
She then became just as transfixed with the picture on Luke's lap as he had been himself.
"Will's plane left for Tennessee the next day.
Upon his arrival three other officers greeted him. He was then led outside to what looked to be a modified blazer. When he asked the driver just smiled and said, " It used to be."
In return Will smiled. He decided not to press the subject further. The man seemed to know a lot about cars, and if he was pressed Will thought for sure he'd try to tell you just how much he knew.
They arrived at the station a few minutes later. Will wasted no time getting to see Grace. She was sitting in the corner of the station at a desk watching TV. She didn't see him at first. It wasn't until he walked up to her and asked how she was.
She jumped when he spoke.
"I'm ok." She answered.
"Will smiled half a smile and nodded. He could tell by her tone and solemn look that she was not.
"Well, I assume that the officers told you the plans?"
"Yeah, I think so. What time are we leaving again?"
"Will glanced over to the clock. It read 12:30.
"Our plane leaves in about four hours, but if its ok with you I wouldn't mind getting something to eat and picking up something to do for the plane ride. Only if you will come however." He grinned.
She shook her head and immediately stood up.
"Let me make sure it's alright to take you, and maybe borrow a car, then we'll be on our way."
Thirty minutes later they were in Meijer's hunting through the puzzle books and magazines.
Will picked out a book of crossword puzzles and a magazine called Crime Codes Solved and Unsolved. Grace got a small book called Uncommon Poets and Their Poetry and some pens and paper.
After that they made their way over to some Italian restaurant neither of them had heard of. They pretty much ate in silence other for the occasional "this is good" or "you should try this".
Grace seemed to be making a special effort to avoid making eye contact with Will. She kept her eyes on her plate the whole time except for when a waiter would ask her a question. Will watched her do this. He knew she would be like this before he even left Indiana. Luke, Joan, and Adam had all told him. He couldn't help to wonder what exactly had happened this time to cause her to try and isolate herself. The first time had been her mother. Joan told him about that once when he had asked why she was so unsocial. This time all he had was clues, the bruises and scratches on her face, the look of worry, and the little bit Joan had gotten from her which was very vague. Will remembered once wondering how Luke could possibly love someone like her. It was before he had gotten to know her, before Luke had brought her out of her shell. Her personality now reminded of this.
After they had eaten and shopped they had only an hour left. They (Will) decided to spend it looking at the gift shops in the airport.
However, that time went fast and they soon were boarded.
Fifteen minutes into the flight Will had cracked open his codebook.
Grace stared out the window silently for a while before finally speaking.
"Mr. Girardi?"
"Hmm, yeah Grace?" He said surprised to hear her speak.
"How do you think he found me?"
Will's bright eyes seemed to fade at the question.
Grace gave him a puzzled look.
"Joan ran into him in front of your house."
Her eyes shot open.
"She ratted me out!"
"She didn't know, He told her he was a relative."
Grace closed her eyes tight as if to hold back tears. She didn't know what to think, or who to blame. Did Luke know?
Well, that's the end of that chapter hope you enjoyed it. Only one more to go. Don't worry lol there will most likely (definitely) be a sequel. Please please please review!
