Chapter 6

Monday morning rolled around. Mark had Kaia in the backseat of his truck taking her to school. He looked in his rearview mirror at Kaia. She was reading her favorite book 'The Hungry Caterpillar'.

"Good book?"

Kaia looked up with a smile. "Yes."

Mark chuckled. "I'll tell ya one thing, you're reading skills are improving nicely. When you were reading 'If You Give A Mouse A Cookie' last night to your mom and I, we were very impressed."

"Thank you. I messed up a couple of times though."

"That's fine, honey. You'll get there. It takes time and practice. But, you're doing a great job."

"Thank you, daddy."

"You're welcome."

Mark turned the truck right and the school came into view.

"Alright, munchkin. Could you put your book in your backpack, please? I'm getting ready to pull up to the school."

Kaia closed her book then put it in her book bag. She zipped up her bag as Mark put the truck in park. Outside on the school lawn, students and teachers stood around in groups talking. Everyone was looking upset and distraught. Students, teachers, even the principal, was in tears.

"Daddy, why does everyone look so sad?"

"I'm not sure. Come on."

Mark exited the truck and Kaia did the same thing. Mark met Kaia on the other side of the truck and took her by the hand leading her up towards the school. Mark saw the principal talking to a teacher and stopped.

"Kaia, could you stay right her for a moment? I'm gonna find out what's going on. I'll be right back. Okay?"

"Okay."

Mark released her hand and approached the principal.

"Mr. Mitchell."

"Mr. Calaway."

"What's going on here? What happened?"

Mr. Mitchell sighed. "One of our students, Alyssa Scott, took a tumble down the stairs at her home over the weekend. The fall caused a broken neck. She's…she's dead."

An expression of shock shown on Mark's face. "No."

Mr. Mitchell nodded. "Yes. It's terrible news."

Mark closed his eyes and lowered his head. Without saying another word, he turned and slowly made his way to where Kaia stood, hands folded in front of her.

"What's going on, daddy? What happened? Is something wrong?"

A lump formed in Mark's throat. He took a knee before his daughter. He took her hands into his.

"Um…honey…"

Mark sighed.

"Daddy? Are you alright?"

Mark couldn't fight the tears any longer. He had to tell Kaia. He cleared his throat and tried again.

"No, I'm not alright. It's about your friend Alyssa."

"What about her?"

"Sweetheart, Alyssa won't be at school today."

"Why?"

"Um…she won't be lying to the teachers or anyone at school anymore."

"What do you mean? Where is she?"

"She's…she's gone."

"Gone? Did she move away?"

"In a way. She moved to Heaven."

"Heaven? Isn't that where people go when they die?"

Mark nodded. "She's lying with Jesus now, honey. There was an accident this past weekend and…she died."

"NO, DADDY! NO! NO!"

Kaia wrapped her arms around her father and cried. They both cried on the school lawn. Mark held her tightly in his arms, letting her cry on his shoulder. Mark rose off the grass, and with Kaia still in his arms, carried her back to the truck to head on home.

-Michelle sat in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee when she heard the front door open and close. She saw Mark and Kaia enter the house. Kaia dropped her backpack and ran towards the stairs leading up to her bedroom. Michelle rose from her chair and approached Mark as he shut the front door.

"Mark. What's going on here? Why is she not in school?"

Mark took Michelle by the hand and led her to the living room.

"Sit on the sofa, Michelle. Please."

Michelle sat down on the sofa and Mark sat beside her.

"Michelle, remember Kaia talking to us about her new friend Alyssa?"

"Yeah."

"Alyssa took a tumble down the stairs over the weekend. The fall broke her neck. Alyssa's dead."

Michelle gasped as her hands covered her mouth.

"Oh, Mark. No." Mark nodded. "That poor child. How dreadful."

"Yeah."

Michelle saw the look of anger on Mark's face. She knew what he was thinking. Only two words formed from her lips.

"The father. Mark, you don't think..."

"You can't convince me otherwise," Mark interrupted. "You can't tell me that this was an accident when I know good and well that it was no accident. I got a call yesterday from one of my buddies at the precinct. After I called the police Saturday morning and told them my suspicions on the matter, a couple guys went over to pay Chris a visit."

"And?"

"Lost cause. Nothing happened. They questioned Chris and he told them that she bumps into things and fall off things and that Alyssa was a very adventurous kid. If that's not the biggest sack of cow manure, I don't know what is. But, I know deep in my gut that Chris did this."

"But, honey. If the police don't believe Chris what can you do? How can you prove that Chris murdered Alyssa?"

"I might have an idea."

"Really?"

"But, I'm gonna need your help."

Michelle cocked an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Michelle, please. Please help me on this. I want justice for Alyssa Scott."

Michelle sighed. "Okay. What do you want me to do?"