Police continue to investigate the horrific accident on Audubon Bay Bridge that has claimed the life of a little girl, and sent her family members to the hospital. The names of the victims have yet to be released. The accident forced police and fire crews to close the bridge around seven fifteen last evening. Chopper 7 is flying over the scene now. It is still dark here in Saint Canard but you can see police have started removing the barricades. The bridge is scheduled to be open at six o'clock, which is about ten minutes from now. KRB will be bringing you updates as the day progresses.
Drake has been asleep on the couch. Hayley turns off the television and it startles him. He immediately sits up straight and looks around until he sees Hayley.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" she says. "What time did you get in?"
"I guess it was around four o'clock" he says as he rubs the back of his head. Hayley hands him a cup of coffee and he accepts it. "Are the kids up yet?"
"No, they're still asleep" Hayley says as she sits on the couch next to Drake. "Launchpad left a few minutes ago, he took the bag of clothes for the girls."
Drake takes a sip of the coffee and grimaces. "I guess he made the coffee?"
"Yeah sorry, he was trying to help. Want me to make another pot?"
Drake takes another sip of the coffee. "Nope, this will do. I need to wake up and start my day." Drake stands up and starts to pace with his coffee cup in hand. Hayley watches him for a second before approaching him.
"Drake, what was it like at the bridge? What happened?"
Drake hesitates for a moment before answering her. "It was awful. Just…. completely devastating. Kids got hurt, one kid died…."
Hayley looks sadly at Drake as he continues "This family was coming home from… wherever, and in a split second their lives changed forever."
/
The six o' clock news is on the main television set at Gwen's apartment. The kids are listening to it as they prepare and eat breakfast.
We are live on the scene here at the Saint Canard City border where police have just reopened the bridge. Cars have been lined up on both sides of the bridge for the past hour, hoping to get a head start on their morning commutes. We just confirmed that the Saint Canard Elementary Schools, Middle Schools and the High School will each have a two hour delayed opening. The buses will run exactly two hours past their normal scheduled stops. The schools will be open early for any children that need to be dropped off early, and grief counselors will be available throughout the day at the Elementary school in the suburbs.
Gwen and Beth have been scrambling to get ready for work. They are also making sure that the kids have everything they need for their breakfast. The kids each have a bowl of cereal with milk. They've had their eyes glued to the television, waiting for the news reporter to talk about what happened on the bridge last night. Tank's cell phone rings and he walks away to answer it. The kids continue to watch the news report.
It was a night of tragedy for one family last night when their SUV collided with a truck on Audubon Bay Bridge. Witnesses say the truck was traveling eastbound in the left lane when a car traveling in the right lane cut him off. The truck driver slammed on his brakes and swerved into oncoming traffic, crashing into the SUV. The SUV then spun around and was hit by two other vehicles. Although many witnesses stopped to give statements, the car that cut in front of the truck kept going. The car was an orange Juniper and the first 3 digits of the license plate may have been EJ2. Police need your help locating the driver of this car. Police are also checking BridgePass records to see if they can locate the driver.
Drake and Hayley are also watching the news while drinking more coffee.
Last night's accident claimed the life of eight year old Carly Vassar. She is the daughter of Saint Canard Homicide Detective Leonard Vassar. Her triplet sisters, Chloe Vassar and Chelsea Vassar were airlifted to Duckburg University's Trauma Center, where they are currently listed in critical condition. The driver of the car is their aunt, forty one year old Victoria Beakman. She was taken to Saint Canard General Hospital with serious injuries. Her sons, Austin Beakman and Jason Beakman, were also in the car. Sixteen year old Austin was taken to Saint Canard General Hospital with serious injuries while ten year old Jason was airlifted to Duckburg University's Trauma Center. He is listed in critical condition. The truck driver was fifty four year old Mandelor Holten. He was taken to Saint Canard General Hospital with minor injuries. There were two other vehicles involved in the crash. Those drivers sustained minor injuries. Charges have not yet been filed in this case, but that could change as the investigation unfolds.
Drake lowers his cup of coffee and looks down at it. Hayley looks over at him.
"Do you know Leo?" She asks him, referring to the father of the triplet girls.
"He works in homicide. Our paths have crossed a few times. He's a good guy, he doesn't deserve this."
Hayley rubs his back, knowing that her brother is deeply affected by this. "No he doesn't."
Drake looks up at Hayley and notices that she has tears in her eyes. "Do you know him?"
"I knew him in high school. He was my partner in physics. When Mom and Dad died, he was a really good friend. He helped me catch up on my school work. I couldn't really talk to my friends but he made it really easy to talk to him."
"I can't imagine what he's going through. He can't even grieve for his child because his other children are in really bad shape. And even they could…." Drake doesn't finish the sentence. Instead he takes the last sip of his coffee and pulls himself together. "I need to get Jake ready for school." Hayley watches as Drake leaves the room and walks up the steps.
/
The kids finish their breakfast and clean their dishes. They haven't said a word to each other since watching the news report about the accident. Austin Beakman is a sophomore at Saint Canard High School, so Skyler and Tank know him. Abby notices that Tank is getting ready to leave.
"Where are you going?" she asks him as she breaks the silence.
"I have to go babysit my sister while my folks go to work."
"What about Honker? Can't he watch her?" Abby joins Tank and they both walk down the steps to the common area of the building.
"They're going to drop him off at school early. He wants to work on his science project."
Abby chuckles "It's not due for another three weeks"
"That's Honker" Tank laughs. His expression turns serious as he looks into Abby's eyes. He pulls her into a kiss, and she kisses him back. "I'll see you at school."
Abby watches Tank leave. She is smiling, something she doesn't do very often. Launchpad arrives and notices her happy mood.
"Hey Abster. I have some stuff here for you and Gosalyn." He gives her the bag.
"Thanks Launchpad"
Launchpad joins Gwen in the apartment and they embrace. They hold each other for a while as they think about the family involved in the accident. A triplet sister lost her life in the accident, and her sisters' lives will never be the same. Her parents' lives will never be the same. They think about their own unborn triplets. They cannot imagine losing one of them. Even though they are not born yet, the love and the connection are still there. Abby, Gosalyn and Skyler watch them in silence. Beth walks into the room and witnesses their embrace as well. As they let go of each other, Launchpad notices that Gwen has tears in her eyes. He wipes them away and tries to reassure her. "Everything's going to be okay."
/
Two weeks have gone by since the tragic accident on the bridge. It is Friday night, and Drake, Beth and Hayley are preparing to go to the viewing for Carla Vassar, the girl that lost her life in the crash. Trina will babysit Jake, MacKena and Christian. Abby is getting ready for a date with Tank and Gosalyn is getting ready for a rehearsal with Javo. Gosalyn is surprised that Abby is going out with Tank again.
"I can't believe you are going out with him again." Gosalyn shouts as she packs some things she'll need for rehearsal. "What do you see in him anyway?"
"I don't expect you to understand. You grew up with the guy"
"The guy's a player Abby. I just don't wanna see you get hurt"
"I really wish people would stop saying that" Abby says as she styles her hair.
"Oh yeah? Who else is on the 'stay away from Tank' wagon?"
"Well there's you, and Skye, and Zach…."
"Really? Zach said something to you?" Gosalyn asks.
"Pretty much the same thing you said. That he's a player and I that I shouldn't bother with him, blah blah blah" Abby finishes her hair and picks out a pair of shoes.
"Well there you go. That's three people that care about you that say you shouldn't be getting involved with Tank. What's going on with you two anyway? Are you dating now?" Gosalyn asks her friend.
"We haven't really defined what we are yet. And I'm okay with that. We're hanging out and we're having a good time. Can't you just be my friend and be happy for me?" Abby asks.
"I just don't want you to get your heart broken. And from what I've heard, Tank is known to do that" Gosalyn takes her bag and leaves the room. Abby sighs and shakes her head. She pushes the negative thoughts out of her head so she can finish getting ready for her date.
/
Gosalyn joins the adults in the family room. Each of them dressed in black and ready to go to the viewing. Tank is also there to pick Abby up for their date. Drake sees Gosalyn and walks over to her.
"Hey Sweetheart, I hope you don't mind but I asked Tank to bring you home from rehearsal"
"I don't mind" She tells her Dad. "But I don't get why you're all going to the viewing. Did you know Carly?"
"No, but I know her father. And your Aunt Hayley went to school with him. We want to pay our respects"
"We should get going so we're not late" Beth says.
The adults and Gosalyn leave as Abby walks down the steps. Tank is there to greet her. "You look great" he says to her.
"Thank you. Shall we?"
/
Drake, Beth and Hayley are at the viewing, standing in line to pay their respects to the family of Carly Vassar. Drake greets a few fellow officers that have come to pay their respects. He also introduces them to Beth. Hayley catches up with some people that she went to high school with. Some of them have remained friends with the girl's father Leonard Vassar, while others have lost contact.
As they come close to the front of the line, they see Carly's grieving parents shaking hands and accepting hugs from friends. Drake looks over and sees one of the triplet girls, Chelsea Vassar. She was released from the hospital a few days after the accident. She has her broken arm in a sling and a bandage around her head. She is sitting with her grandmother, just a few feet away from her sister's casket. Her cousin Austin was also released from the hospital. He doesn't appear to have any injuries. He takes a seat next to Chelsea and puts his arm around her. Watching the family grieve for the child brings tears to his eyes. Beth sees this and puts her arms around him.
"This isn't right Beth"
"No it's not" She agrees.
They reach the front of the line. Drake shakes Leonard's hand and introduces him and his wife to Beth. Beth shakes hands with both of them as they express their condolences. Hayley gives Leonard a hug and immediately starts to tear up.
"I'm sorry, I swore I wouldn't do this" She says as she wipes the tears from her eyes.
"It's okay" He says to her. "It's really good to see you. It's good to see all these people that have been part of my life. Some of these guys I haven't seen since grade school. My wife and I are just so overwhelmed by all the support"
"You're a good person Leo. I'm sorry that you have to go through this"
Hayley walks over to the casket to say a prayer. Drake and Beth approach Chelsea. They don't know her, but they feel the need to extend condolences to her too. They've seen people come and go after greeting her parents, but nobody has really talked to her during the viewing.
Drake squats down to her level to introduce himself. "Hi Chelsea. I'm Detective Drake. I'm a police officer like your Dad"
"Hi" is the only word that she can get out. Austin still has his arm around her.
"I know that you don't know me, but will it be alright if I give you a hug?"
Chelsea nods and stands to hug him. Drake holds her for a few seconds and starts to feel emotional again. He lets go and looks her in the eye. "This is my wife Beth. We have kids and they've been saying prayers for you, and your sisters and your cousin every day. And we're going to keep doing that, okay?"
Chelsea nods again. Austin helps her sit in her seat again since her arm is in a sling. Drake and Beth put their arms around each other and leave with Hayley.
/
Abby and Tank are in his car parked at the waterfront. They have some time to kill while they wait for Gosalyn's rehearsal to be over. Tank kisses her and they start making out. Tank kisses her neck a few times. Then he lifts her shirt and kisses her stomach. They are both caught up in each other and are able to forget about the world that surrounds them, until they hear the loud sound of a car horn. Tank's foot pressed the horn on the steering wheel. They both giggle and sit up in their seats again. Both are disappointed that the moment is ruined. This only leaves them wanting more.
"Are you okay with all this? You and me?" He asks her
"Yeah, why?"
"I know that people have been saying things to you about me. And they're kind of all true."
"You mean you're the one that ran down that poor old man with your car and dumped his body into the bay?"
"What?" Tank gasps in horror.
Abby laughs at his facial expression. "You should see your face, it's priceless."
"Oh yeah?" Tank tickles her and she squeals. They both laugh and start to make out again.
/
At rehearsal, Javo takes the time to thoroughly explain the characters of their dance to Gosalyn. Although she enjoys dancing, she does not enjoy acting, but she wants to impress him and do well with her performance. She listens to him intently and does her best to apply his notes to her dancing. They start their dance which features Gosalyn as the sheltered princess and Javo as the knight that breaks her free from her castle that's confined her all her life.
Gosalyn's dancing is angelic and beautiful, but she is still not bringing out the character that Javo is looking for. After a minutes into their routine, he takes her and holds her in such a way that prevents her from pulling away and he kisses her. She tries to pull away from him, but she can't. His hold on her is much too strong. She gives in and starts to kiss him back, hoping that her cooperation will please him. She's also a little curious about what it feels like to kiss him. He's older, he's experienced and he's very good looking. They continue to kiss, and Gosalyn allows herself to get lost in the moment. She even starts to enjoy it. But nothing could prepare her for what happens next. He gently puts his hand on her leg and glides his hand up until he touches her crotch. He keeps his grip on her and continues to kiss her as he caresses her crotch. After a few seconds, Gosalyn realizes that his fingers are inside of her. She immediately starts to feel scared and tries to stop him. She can't pull away from him and she can't talk since he is still kissing her. She begins to moan as she struggles to get away from him until he stops kissing her and let's go of her. Javo presses the button on his tiny remote to stop the music.
"Work on the character" He says to her firmly. He gathers his belongings and leaves her there again in the dark studio. Gosalyn falls to the floor and starts to cry.
/
Its a few days later in the Mallard house and the family is getting ready to start their day. Gosalyn finds Drake in the nursery changing MacKena. Hayley had to leave early for a meeting so he agreed to take care of his niece. Gosalyn is trying to get permission to double date with Skye, Abby and Tank, but it is a school night.
"The answer is no" He says to her.
"Come on Dad, it's just one night and we promise to be home before curfew" Gosalyn pleads.
"I don't understand why you have to go out on a school night. Can't this wait till the weekend?" He asks her as he puts a diaper on MacKena.
"We won't have time this weekend. And the guys have a retreat next week. The movie won't be in theaters much longer."
"I'm sorry honey. But the answer is still no."
"But Dad!"
"Gos, your progress report came in the mail yesterday. I was going to wait and talk to you about it later but here it goes. Your grades are slipping. You've been so busy with soccer and dance and studying seems to be taking a back burner in your schedule. I need you home studying tonight."
"But I can study in study hall!"
"You are not going. And that is final, finito, end of discussion." Drake has finished dressing MacKena and picks her up. "Now, you need to get ready for school and I need to get ready for work. We'll have tacos for dinner tonight, alright?"
"Fine" Gosalyn says with disappointment in her voice. She leaves to go to her room to finish getting ready. Drake feels slightly bad as he watches her, but he feels confident that he made the right decision, until he brings it up to his partner.
/
Drake and Taylor are in their patrol car on their way to interview more witnesses for their case. They are still looking for a young mother that went missing two years ago. They discuss Gosalyn wanting to go out with her boyfriend on a school night. Even though Taylor is a mother, she is still young, so she can relate more to Gosalyn. She thinks Drake's decision is unreasonable.
"She's lucky I let her date in the first place. I still think she's too young for that"
"She's going to be fifteen. What, did you think she was going to wait till she's eighteen?" She asks him jokingly.
"That would have been nice. Why does she have to date now? She's got plenty of time for that" He says as he quickly turns the corner.
"Whoa, slow down there Detective. Woman with a baby on board"
He glances over at her and softens "Sorry. I just don't want her to grow up too fast. I want her to stay being a kid for a while and concentrate on her school work and her sports."
"She can still be a kid and have a boyfriend. I mean she's not….you know."
Drake glances at her again and knows exactly what she is implying. "No, no she's not…. doing that. She even told me she thinks she's too young for that." Drake thinks this over more and hopes that his daughter isn't having sex.
"You actually talked to her about this?" Taylor asks with a hint of shock in her voice.
"Of course I did. She's my daughter and I was worried about her. Especially after that case we had last spring… you remember the teenagers that tried to run away and have a baby?"
"Yes I remember that" she says. "It's good, you know, that she talks to you about that sort of thing. Most parents avoid the subject completely."
"Does that mean you approve of my highly exceptional phenomenal parenting skills?" he asks her.
"Careful Detective, your ego is showing" she says to him. "But yeah, I do"
"But you still think that I should let her go out tonight"
"Yes I do" she says. Drake sighs as he turns the next corner at a slower speed. He continues down the block but makes a turn on the next street. Taylor notices that he is not going the right way.
"Where are we going?"
"Gosalyn's school" He answers her. Taylor smiles and leans back in her seat.
/
Gosalyn walks outside of her school during lunch period to meet with her father. He had sent her a text message to let her know that he was there. He is standing outside of his patrol car and Taylor is sitting in the passenger seat. She waves to Gosalyn and Gosalyn waves back. She is not happy to see Drake, which doesn't really surprise him.
"What are you doing here?" she asks him.
"It's good to see you too my darling daughter" Drake says with a sarcastic tone.
"If this is about the progress report…." she starts, but Drake interrupts her. He bends down to her level to look her in the eye.
"No it's not. Although I'm not exactly thrilled to find out that your grades are slipping this early in the school year, I don't think missing out on one night out with your friends is going to improve them. I think it's a good wakeup call, and that in itself should tell you that you need to work harder."
Gosalyn is confused. "So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you need to up your game on your schoolwork. But, not tonight. Because tonight, you are going out with your friends"
"Really?" Gosalyn asks as she shows her excitement. "You're letting me go?"
"Yes" he confirms. Gosalyn hugs him so tight that she nearly knocks him over.
"Thanks Dad"
"You're welcome" He pulls her out of the hug so he can look her in the eye. "Don't make me regret this okay? I need you home before curfew."
"Okay"
Gosalyn watches as Drake gets back in his patrol car and drives away.
/
Later in the afternoon, the kids arrive at a park near the water front. It is still daylight but there is nobody around. The movie that they planned to see has sold out, so they are left to occupy themselves for the rest of the day. Tank and Abby are in the front seat while Skyler and Gosalyn are in the back. Gosalyn has been staring out the window. She hasn't told anyone about what Javo has been doing to her. Anytime she is in a car or in her room her mind wanders to all of the moments that he touched her. She's having a hard time shaking those thoughts out of her head, but every once in a while she gets a distraction. The kids have been laughing about something Tank said, but Gosalyn missed it. She looks at Skyler and pretends to laugh along with them.
Tank parks and turns the car off. He and Abby hesitate for a few seconds, and then they turn to face each other and make out. Gosalyn and Skyler are surprised and appalled to be witnesses to their heavy make out session. Skyler speaks up.
"Hey guys…"
Tank and Abby giggle as they break away from their kiss.
"Do you guys mind, um, maybe taking a walk for a few minutes?" Abby asks them while she's still giggling.
Gosalyn and Skyler roll their eyes. They each open their door and get out of the car. Tank and Abby continue to enjoy their time together as Gosalyn and Skyler converse outside the car.
"Can you believe them?" Gosalyn asks him.
"I tried to tell Abby not to get involved with him." Skye says.
"So did I. But now she's… Oh my god. They're… they're doing it, aren't they? Are they?" Gosalyn asks him. It occurs to her that Tank and Abby are doing more than just making out.
Skyler can't help but laugh. "Yeah, yeah I think they are."
Gosalyn is disgusted. "Eww, good god, why do they have to do this here?"
"Sweetie, that's what people do here. But… we don't have to."
Gosalyn looks at Skyler and suddenly it occurs to her that they aren't doing it. And that may be a problem for her boyfriend. "Does it bother you that we don't?"
"No, no it doesn't. I'm happy with the way things are. Sex, it just complicates things. I've seen so many people break up after having sex and I don't think it's worth it. Not for us anyway."
"What makes us so different?" She asks him.
"We didn't just hook up. We were kids when we started to get to know each other. Our relationship is growing just like we are. And I treasure that more than just one night of sex. When we are both ready, we'll know it."
Gosalyn is satisfied with his answer. Her look of dread turns into a smile and she kisses him. Their lovely moment is ruined when a police officer pulls up. They are under eighteen and the sun has begun to set. The park is closed at sunset, so they really shouldn't be there. Gosalyn gulps as she looks at the patrol car. She promised her father that she wouldn't let him down. Skyler knocks on the trunk of the car to get Tank and Abby's attention, but it doesn't work. The police officer approaches the driver's side and knocks on the window. Both ducks are partially clothed and scramble to cover themselves with their clothes. Gosalyn covers her eyes in embarrassment.
/
Drake says goodbye to the officer that dropped the girls off. Gosalyn and Abby are standing in the family room with Beth, waiting for Drake to go off on them. Drake slowly approaches the family room. He feels betrayed, and he regrets changing his mind about allowing the girls to go out on a school night. He's well aware of the park near the waterfront, and he's also aware that young people park there to have sex.
"What were you thinking? I'm sorry, that would imply that you were thinking. You were supposed to be at the movies. What were you doing at the park this late in the day?"
"The movie was sold out" Gosalyn says.
"So what, instead of coming home you decide to go riding in cars with boys? Made a pit stop at the park known for people stopping by to have sex? Hopefully a stop at the local pharmacy was part of the itinerary. You did use protection didn't you?" Drake says as he raises his voice. The girls don't answer him. Beth is not really sure what to say either.
"Well?" Drake asks with much impatience.
"Yes" Abby speaks up. Gosalyn looks up at her and can't believe her ears. Drake and Beth can't believe it either. Abby has tears in her eyes. She decides to make a confession. "I used protection with Tank, and all the other boys I've had sex with. Excuse me" Abby rushes out of the room and runs up the steps. Drake and Beth both watch in horror. Beth follows her.
Drake looks at Gosalyn. "Other boys?"
Gosalyn shrugs her shoulders, even though she is well aware of Abby's summer of sex.
/
A few days later, Drake and Taylor arrive in a town called Haystown, which is about an hour away from Saint Canard. They received a tip that their missing person Teresa is living there. They walk into a small diner and eye the waitress at the counter. She fits the description of their missing person, except her hair is darker and she appears to have lost weight. They sit at the counter and wait for her to serve them.
"How may I help you?"
"You can tell us why you don't use your real name, Teresa." Drake says. The waitress looks up at him, knowing that she's been caught. She immediately changes her facial expression in an effort to hide her identity.
"My name is Delsea. You must have me confused with someone else."
"No we don't" Drake says. "So why don't you tell us what's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your family is looking for you" Taylor says. "They filed a missing person's report. They really want you to come home."
"It's like I said, you have me confused with someone else." The waitress says again. This time she gets nervous.
Drake pulls out a photo that was taken of Teresa and her kids two years ago and shows it to her. "This is you, two years earlier, a few pounds heavier and with hair a shade lighter. What I don't understand is, why are you hiding from this?"
She hesitates before she answers him. "You can't possibly understand" She picks up her coffee pot and takes a few steps away from him.
"Then explain it to me. Please. What are you hiding from?" Drake pleads with her.
"Those kids are better off without their mother" She answers him.
"Better off how? They miss you and they want you back" Drake pleads with her again.
"Look, I know you found me, but I'm an adult. And therefore I get to decide whether or not I want to be found. You cannot tell anyone that you found me here" Drake and Taylor are at a loss. They don't understand how she can stay away from her children like this. They both look at the photo as the waitress walks away.
/
In Saint Canard, Gosalyn and Javo are preparing for another rehearsal. They are not at Bree's studio since all of the rooms are occupied by students. Instead they are at a friend's studio a few blocks away. Javo is stretching while Gosalyn is looking out the window. She takes a sip of her water and notices a few young kids running toward the building. There is a family that lives in the downstairs apartment. She remembers being that young and being that excited to be home from school. She would have an after school snack and then join her friends outside and just play all afternoon. Things are different now that she is older. She has soccer practice every day after school and dance rehearsal most nights of the week. She thinks about how much easier her life was when she was nine and had no care in the world. She takes another sip of her water before starting rehearsal.
/
Drake and Taylor are in their patrol car heading home from Haystown. They cannot believe that they found Teresa only to discover that she didn't want to be found. Drake has a hard time with this.
"How can she do this? How can she stay away from her kids like this?" He asks.
"She's young. She probably wasn't ready to be a mother." Taylor tries to make sense of Teresa's decision.
"What about the rest of her family. What about her parents? They deserve to know where she is"
"But we can't tell them. Teresa was right. She's an adult and she has the right to say she doesn't want to be found. This sucks, but we have to respect her wishes" Taylor says.
Drake shakes his head. His phone rings and he answers it in a harsh tone. "What!"
It is Gwen. Taylor notices that Drake's mood quickly changes from agitation to horror.
"What happened, is she okay?" he asks Gwen.
"Drake, just come to the hospital, please" she says to him.
"I'm on my way" Drake throws his phone down and turns on the car's siren.
"What is it? What's going on?" Taylor asks him.
"Gosalyn's hurt, we need to get to the hospital.