Chapter 57

"Who's Mattie?"Danny asked his former teacher.

"Tom's daughter, he doesn't have custody, the number where she's at should be in the kitchen. She needs to be informed. Poor girl lost her mom a couple of years ago." Danny decided as soon as the backup arrived and paramedics took over he'd have Mark find the number. Danny could hear the sirens of the ambulance and the other officer, he went outside and told the paramedics that there was one fatality in the car, and one seriously injured in the house. The driver of the car appears dazed, One paramedic went to the driver the other went into the house. Danny went over to the driver who was checked by the paramedic. "I need to talk to you."

The paramedic who'd looked at the driver verified the passenger was deceased, she went to assist with Tom Johnson. A shaken Mark came outside. "He didn't make it Danny, Come with me so I can get the number. Mark used his key and went into the living room where he'd seen Tom's address book. Using his handkerchief Mark opened the book. Danny wrote the number on his sheet, along with the name of Mattie's guardian.

The watch commander showed up as they were coming back outside. "Sergeant, we're going to have to make some calls tonight. The victim inside, was the only one home, thankfully. His minor daughter lives near DC. Mr. McConnell who's a witness to the event assisted in getting the information."

It was nearly an hour later before any calls were made.

0157 local

Falls Church Virginia

Rabb home

The phone was on the nightstand on Harm's side of the bed. It took him a second to realize that both Andy and Mattie were home, they'd made their curfew, Harm knew it could be work related, he hoped that it wouldn't be for Mac, being called in for an out of town investigation. "Hello, Rabb residence." he said somewhat groggily.

"Mr. Harmon Rabb?"

"Yes, I'm him", Harm peered at the number on the display, it wasn't a southern California number, which put his mind at ease for only a millisecond.

"I'm Officer Danny Myers of the Blacksburg Police Department; I understand you are the guardian of a Matilda Johnson."

"I am" Harm was starting to worry, big time.

"What's happening?" A sleepy Mac said, trying to get back asleep after the phone call. The tone of her husband's voice was waking her up though.

Harm motioned for Mac to sit up and listen in to the conversation. She did just that, leaning over to listen, Harm switched the volume level on the phone to high so that both could easily hear what the officer was saying.

"I am calling to inform you, that Thomas Johnson was killed tonight when a car hit his house."

chapter 58

Mac relied on her Marine training not to cry when that was the only thing she wanted to do. Harm put his arm around his wife, gathering strength from her as well as giving her some of his own strength. "How, what happened?" He stammered, the words tripping over his tongue.

"The car which was traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into the house, Mr. Johnson was apparently asleep in the front bedroom. He survived the initial impact, however his injuries were too severe and he died at the scene. A neighbor, Mr. Mark McConnell was with him, and told me that. Johnson's last words were for his daughter. I'm sure she knows Mr. McConnell. He will relay the message verbatim when you see him." The officer was presuming, rightly, that they would travel to Blacksburg to deal with this tragedy.

"We can be in Blacksburg by 0900, should we come to the police department first. I do know that his attorney is a Mr. Michael Montgomery, he needs to be notified, maybe we should meet at his office." The officer asked if the attorney was the Michael Montgomery whose office was near the private catholic high school. From what he remembered of the town Harm told him yes. He told the officer to inform Montgomery, and to have the attorney call him, immediately, on his cell phone, as they would be heading out the door as soon as they could awaken two teenagers.

Harm and Mac got out of bed, gave each other a hug, and went to Mattie's room. Mac went across the hall and knocked on Andy's door. "Andy, honey, I need to talk to you."

"Mac, what's up, what's wrong, Did anything happen to Grandma or Grandpa or Nana?" Andy had heard the phone ring, and the look on Mac's face was not a happy face.

"Andy, I need for you to get dressed, and grab some clothes for a couple of days, your good clothes, Mattie's dad was killed tonight, we don't have all the information, but she's going to need all of us in the coming days." Having lost his mom months before Andy could relate, unfortunately." Mac had been a big help, staying out of his way when he wanted it, but having built in radar as to when he needed an shoulder to cry on. Now Andy could repay that kindness by helping someone who wasn't his sister by blood, but his sister by choice.

Chapter 59

Mac left Andy's room to return to help Harm inform Mattie, Andy leapt out of bed, grabbing his jeans and a dressier shirt than he might have worn on a Saturday, It was his favorite dressy shirt because it didn't show the wrinkles. He grabbed his duffle and got what he would need for the rest of the weekend. He put a t-shirt one that he'd only worn for a few minutes the day before for the drive to Blacksburg. He decided on waiting downstairs until Mattie would need him.

Harm waited for Mac to join him before going into Mattie's room. He knocked on the door and after hearing an acknowledgement of sorts from Mattie; he opened the door and went in. Mac followed close beside him and they went and sat on her bed. Mattie felt the pressure on her bed, and realized that both Mac and Harm were sitting on her bed. She woke up, completely this time, "What's going on, its two in the morning for cripes sakes."

Harm took a hold of Mattie's hand and she felt a sense of doom. "Mattie, we got a phone call a few minutes ago."

"It's my dad isn't it, he fell off the wagon again, and this time someone was hurt." Mattie was scared, it was the one and only reason she'd been hesitant to come live with Harm, if she were there he might not drink and drive.

"No, Mattie, he was at home, apparently asleep when, and I need to talk to the officer in Blacksburg to get all the details, the house was ran into by a couple of kids that were going way too fast for the road conditions. He was severely injured in the crash and your neighbor, Mr. McConnell was with him, Mattie, your dad didn't make it." Mattie let out a wail, she felt badly she'd badmouthed her dad, when he was the victim in this case. She'd not wanted to live with him, but she didn't want him to die either. "Just let it out." Mac said as Mattie grabbed for both of them, sobbing. After a few minutes of all three of them crying, Mattie gathered her composure.

"Can we go to Blacksburg, tonight, I want to say my goodbyes to dad."

"We'll go and pack a few clothes for the weekend, and you do the same" Mac told her they stood up, "I'll meet you downstairs in 10 minutes" They then left her to get changed and they went down the hall to their own room to get dressed. Mac grabbed the empty suitcase from the closet and put in clothes for both of them for the weekend. "In case we don't get back until really early on Monday, we'd better take our uniforms. "We can plan for Monday when we get to Blacksburg, and find out what the plans are for Tom, if he had any."

"I got the feeling when I talked to him that he'd made plans, after Mattie's mom died, on one of his more sober days, but he never told Mattie" Harm told his wife as he went to grab a quick shower, he needed to wake up, as he was driving.

Chapter 60

Mattie went downstairs carrying a small duffel, Andy was in the kitchen, and she went that direction. "Mattie, I wish you didn't have to go thru this, I know, believe me," he gave her a hug, "I made you a mocha for the trip down, made one for all of us."

Thanks, Andy, for the hug, the mocha, just being here" Mattie said before she started to cry, she didn't want to be crying all night. She could wait until they were on their way before letting the tears start to flow, besides she didn't want her mocha to taste salty from all the tears.

Besides, with the hour it was, the Lexus would be dark. She could cry without anyone but Harm, because of the mirror, seeing her.

"Andy thanks for making the mochas we should be able to make it there without stopping for coffee." Harm told his son as he took the travel mug intended for him. "Did you make Mac's strong?"

"Yes, it's brewing right now, we can go as soon as it finishes. The coffeemaker beeped just then startling the small group, and letting them know the coffee was ready. ""I'll take care of the grounds--- you made the coffee." Mac said, pouring a cup and then adding creamer. She emptied the grounds into the compost container, and took it outside to the compost when they headed for the Lexus a few minutes later. Because they weren't sure when they'd return, they didn't want the kitchen to smell like stale coffee.

Traffic was understandably light and they were in Blacksburg shortly after 0630. Harm decided to go to the police precinct and find out what happened. He figured, rightly, that Mr. McConnell the neighbor was asleep, and would appreciate a couple more hours of sleep.

Because of the hour, the precinct was quiet, Harm went to the sergeant at the front desk and inquired about Officer Danny Myers, that he'd received a phone call from him earlier that morning regarding the Johnson house. Myers was finishing up his reports for the night, and frankly welcomed the break, as he was trying, without success, to get the last report finished. He took them into the small office that often doubled as a conference room. "Ms Johnson, I'm sorry about your father, I do know that he was thinking about you when he died. Your neighbor, Mr. McConnell will be able to tell you more." Mattie thanked the officer and then asked to be excused, "Andy, I need some fresh air, and I know the officer wants to speak to Mac and Harm, I can't handle it, come with me." Andy nodded his assent, and he followed her out, they went outside and just walked around the building until Harm and Mac appeared seven minutes later.

When the teens left Myers told them what happened, Mac told him "We're both JAG officers, you don't need to be delicate about it, I've dealt with worse, believe me." Myers then went into detail about what appeared to have happened. He gave Mac a piece of paper with McConnell's address and phone number. "We'll see ourselves out, if you, or any of the officers on this need to contact us, you can reach us by cell phone while were here in Blacksburg. She gave him one of her cards after writing her cell number on the bottom of it.

"Harm, I'm ready as I'll ever be to go to my dad, the house." Mattie said as they headed to the Lexus. The closer to the house they got, the Rabb's could see that Mattie was trying to fortify herself for the coming ordeal. Andy just put his hand on hers, and gave her a quick squeeze. He could relate to what Mattie was going through more so than his father or Mac. Harm had lost his father as a child, and Mac had lost hers years ago, Andy still missed his mother, there were still times he cried himself to sleep, having Tom Johnson die unexpectedly tore open a wound that Andy thought had closed, he realized that it hadn't even been six months. He'd attended meetings at the school for those who'd lost a loved one, and thought he was dealing with her death; he knew he had a long way to go to deal with his mom's death. Mattie smiled weakly back at him. She knew Andy had been in her shoes, and knew he was sincere in his grief. She knew others in the coming days would not be as sincere. She was glad she had a family to love her. She knew that the Johnson family would not be loving her. They had barely condescended to acknowledge her when her parents were both living. They'd felt that Tom could have done better marrying some else. Mattie's mother had no living family, which was the reason why Mattie had gone by the name of Grace, it was her way of acknowledging her mother's family.

Chapter 61

The McConnell house was at an angle from the Johnson place, you could not see the front of Johnson place from the front of the McConnell's, which made it easier for Mattie.

"Mr. McConnell, we came as soon as we could, I appreciate, we all appreciate what you did for Tom last night." Harm said as the older gentleman came outside to greet them after they pulled into his driveway. "I'm Harm, this is my wife, Sarah, and my son, Andy, you know Mattie." They all shook hands politely.

"Mattie, come here" Mark McConnell said as he enveloped Mattie in a bear hug. "Let's go inside, there's liable to be media here pretty soon, and I want to talk in private." They all walked inside. Once in the living room and offers of coffee accepted Mark told Mattie and the others what happened, and what Tom had said before losing consciousness.

Mattie tearfully told the older man how grateful she was that her father hadn't died alone, and that his last words were of her. "I'll always appreciate it, I know that Dad and I didn't get along but to know his last words were about me. You can't know how much I appreciate that."

They talked for several minutes, Mark was interested in what Mattie and Andy had done during their time in Australia.

"I didn't know that dad was all that excited about my trip. It seemed like he was letting me go to look good to Harm," she told Mark, somewhat abashed, hearing from her former neighbor that he'd received a forward of nearly every email from Australia.

"Your father had copies of most of your pictures that you sent, I think he made a scrapbook of your trip. When he was younger he wanted to travel but he never had the chance, I think he was traveling vicariously with you, Mattie."

"I'm glad I sent him a copy of the emails each day, now. Knowing it made the last part of dad's life. Mr. McConnell, I'm ready to see the house."

"We'll all head over, I'll warn you know that part of the house is destroyed, and the whole house may have to be razed, I suppose an inspector will make that decision. I know that Mr. Montgomery, your dad's attorney, will be here about 8:30. Do you want to wait for him?"

Mattie shook her head no, and they all headed over to the house. When they could see the destruction, they all came to a standstill. Mattie realized that if she'd been at home she would have been instantly killed. Andy held her as she nearly collapsed at that realization. By her reaction, Harm and Mac realized where Mattie's bedroom was. It sobered them; Mattie could have easily been taken from them, permanently. They went through the portion of the house that the police officer at the scene would allow them. They could not get to the bedrooms, but the other half of house was in decent shape, you would never know that part of the house was in ruins. They decided on staying in the living room as they saw Mr. Montgomery, Tom's attorney drive up.

"Ms. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Rabb, Mr. Rabb, I'm sorry to meet with you under these circumstances. Mattie I have a letter here from your father, which was to given to you upon his death. What I can say now, your father was suffering from inoperable cancer, and would have died in less than a year. He wanted you to have happy memories of him, which was the main reasons he wanted you to go and live with Harm and Mac." To Harm he gave another letter" This states the same thing, but it has Tom's wishes for Mattie. I have a copy of his will for you, as well. All assets go to Mattie; I'll be in touch with you regarding the specifics of his will." As Harm and Mac were attorney's he could tell them the specifics in legalese, at a later point. This was neither the time nor the place for it.

Chapter 62

They spent most of the weekend in Blacksburg, going through the house and packing what they could, the house would need to be rebuilt, as it was not safe to live in. Mr. Montgomery gave Harm the name and address of a storage facility they could take the contents of the house there, and figure out what do with the contents at a later less stressful time.

Harm and Mac took emergency leave that week, actually they split the time each taking two days, Mattie and Andy stayed in Blacksburg. Friday was the memorial for her father and they both took that day. Thursday Frank and Trish arrived from California to be with their new granddaughter in her time of grief. Trish told her that she was invited to go along to France with them while Mac and Harm were in Hawaii for their honeymoon. She'd been planning on asking Tom if it were okay before the accident. Mattie accepted, it was a place her parents had wanted to visit, but never had. After the funeral the Burnett's left for DC with Mattie and Andy because their flight was very early in the morning. Mac and Harm's flight to Hawaii would be late that night so they arranged to be back in DC in time for their flight.

TBC

(A.N. I struggled for months with writer's block trying to figure out a way for Tom Johnson to die, not by the cancer that was surely killing him, but in a way that was totally unexpected. You might say that the idea crashed into me, cuz Labor Day weekend our neighbors house was ran into by some numbskulls speeding through the neighborhood going way too fast and not knowing they needed to obviously slow down, and that the road wasn't as straight as they thought, luckely for my neighbors it was only their house that was hit, they were not injured. I realized later that night I finally had my way out of writers block and was able to finish the story within a matter of weeks.)