After a few minutes Carol moved away from Jack to wipe at the tears soacking into his shirt. They wouldn't stop but she continued to wipe at them. She tried to control the sobs but it was no good, Jack could tell she was terrified, as much as she tried to hide it.
"This has gotten so out of hand," she cried, "I was just trying to warn him."
"Why were you warning him Carol," Jack asked, watching her carefully, knowing full well it was about Mark.
Shaking her head again she was pleased for the interruption as the three police officers came back into the kitchen.
"Miss. Bauer, we've taken your daughters statement too; unless there's anything else-"
"No, thank you officer. You've been very helpful."
"We'll keep the APB out on your partner. If he turns up anywhere we will take him in for the night. Unfortunately there's nothing more we can do."
"Thanks not necessary," Carol started, making Jack even more suspicious of her behaviour. The police officer interrupted again.
"I'm sorry ma'am but this is protocol with all domestic cases. If we find him he will be taken in, but we can only hold him for the night."
"Okay," Carol replied wearily, resting her head on one hand, the other nervously tapping the table top.
"Thank you," she added, before Jack got up to see the police men out. The youngest one from earlier nodded his head at Jack before leaving, Jack felt the desire to ask him what had happened but decided against it. He couldn't breach Carols trust like that, she would tell him what had happened when she was ready.
Taking a breath he headed back inside, the large house now silent, it seemed empty without the cops wondering back and forth with their radios blaring static every few minutes.
Taking the cold coffee from beside his sister he said nothing as he poured it down the sink and washed the cup out, refilling it with more of the steaming hot substance. Carol watched him from across the room, thankful for the silence.
Turning he lifted the cup up into the air, "should I add a little brandy?" he asked, a devious smile flittering over his face.
Carol rewarded him with a smile of her own before replying that she'd take it straight. Setting the coffee down Jack patted her on the arm as he took his seat again, this time sitting opposite her rather than at her side, unconsciously using interrogation techniques he'd learned years ago.
"Ready to talk now?" He asked, gently but insistent. She knew he was serious and she needed to talk to him, especially after the worry he would have experienced, coming her and finding the place swarming with police men. She was angry with herself for involving him, he shouldn't have to worry over her, she was old enough to take care of herself. She was the oldest, shouldn't she be looking after him instead?
"I mean it when I say this was taken out of hand. It was an accident really…" she said quietly, staring into the cup as though it held the answers to her problems.
"That's what they all say," Jack replied, fixing her with her gaze even though she didn't meet his eyes.
"It wasn't like that," she snapped, before slowing down, "he didn't hurt me. Not really," she paused, "like I said it was an accident, we're both to blame."
Jack felt his anger rise again at the thought of Mark, "then why's he left you here crying hysterically giving statements to the police?"
Carol looked up, meeting his stare finally, the harshness of his voice startling her. She shouldn't have involved him, he didn't like Mark as it was, once he learned what had happened he would want to kill the man. As upset as she was, she still loved him.
"That was my fault, I shouldn't have involved them."
Sighing Jack rubbed at his eyes before checking his watch. "Stop talking in circles Carol, just tell me what happened.
"Fine," she stated, annoyed that he wasn't letting it drop. "We got into an argument about the house. It got nasty, he pushed me and I fell on the floor. Casey was there, when she saw him push me she tried to jump him, only it didn't work. He got even angrier and came towards us, I was scared so I phoned 911 to stop him from doing anything else. It worked, he stopped and then moved away - I hung up the phone before it was even answered. We shouted at each other some more but then he made to leave. I was scared, I was hurt inside, and I didn't want Casey to get involved. If I had known the police would ring back I never would have called them. But they did, so I told them me and my partner were fighting and I was scared. Turns out they have to investigate any domestic problems no matter how small. That's how they ended up here," she said, sighing deeply. "Like I said no big deal."
Jack jumped up, knocking his chair down in the process, "no big deal," he roared. "If it was no big deal then why did his anger scare you so much that you needed to warn him off?"
Carols eyes filled to the brim with tears again, Jack instantly regretted his outburst. "Look I'm sorry," he said, picking his chair up from the floor, "but this is out of hand. I'm gonna find that piece of shit and-"
"Jack! We were both angry. It got out of hand. I only called the police because I didn't want Casey to get anymore involved than she was."
"Did he go after her," Jack snarled.
"Of course not," Carol whispered, shaking again. Jack wasn't sure if she was telling the truth or nor.
"Tell me something," Jack said, looking thoughtful as he sat back down, "why did you know you had to warn him off? How come you knew you needed a diversion? Has this happened before?"
Carol stared at him angrily, "of course not." She got up and started pacing the room, occasionally glancing at the clock. "Jack I appreciate your concern, and I'm sorry for scaring you. I overreacted and so did he. It was a silly fight taken out of hand."
"Sure," Jack said, not convinced, "I'm gonna go see Casey."
"I'd rather you didn't Jack," Carol said desperately.
"Are you telling me I can't see my niece?"
"No, of course not. Casey's angry at Mark, if she sees you its gonna feed her anger at him, seen as it wasn't even a week ago when you were rolling in the back yard with him."
Jack nodded, he understood.
"Let me see her, I wanna talk to her. She's my daughter Jack, I need to explain why this happened to her. This will be fine, I promise."
Knowing she wanted him to leave Jack asked, "what if Mark comes home?"
"So what? He'll feel terrible, apologise like mad and worry all night. We need to talk anyway," she added, faking her confidence on the matter. Inside she was terrified he'd return.
"Okay," Jack said, knowing she was lying to him. "I'm gonna go - if you need anything Carol, please call me."
"I will," she said, gratefully. Kissing him on the cheek she led him out and watched as he climbed into his car and started the engine. Closing the door at the sound of his car leaving Carol made sure to lock it.
Jack drove slowly down the street, feeling a mixture of anger and disbelieve at how Carol had defended Mark. She hadn't told him the whole story. Driving a few hundred yards away Jack turned the car around and parked, facing Carols house. Sinking down in his seat Jack shut of the engine, he was close enough to get to Carols, far enough away to stay unseen. If Carol wouldn't tell him the truth he'd just have to settle this with Mark himself.