Chapter Eight: Shock
No one was really prepared for what they were going to see. Being in a plane crash didn't lessen the blow—it magnified it.
When they arrived, everyone simply stood and stared at the wreckage. Smoke still curled a path into the sky as small fires burned around the metal. There was luggage and pieces of the plane spread out all over.
Kate was the first to move, running over to a bush and throwing up. Nigel almost had to force himself to go over to her—his whole body seemed numb. Jordan's eyes were filled with unshed tears, and Woody's face was pale as a ghost.
Garret's face was stony, as if he was trying to shove back the memories and act unaffected. Instead, it just made him harsher than usual. Bug hadn't even made an attempt to get out of the van.
Everyone was in shock.
Finally, Garret began giving orders. "Okay people, let's get going. The faster we move, the faster we can leave." The callousness of his tone seemed to jerk everyone back to life. A few stunned glances made Garret change his stance. "I just meant…this is hard enough. We need to get these people out of the plane so they can be brought back to their families."
After a few more murmured instructions, the team set to work. Nigel and Jordan walked to the end of the plane and began processing the five bodies that they found there.
They worked silently until Jordan couldn't keep her thoughts to herself. "Do you think they knew?"
Nigel looked at her questioningly. "Knew what, love?"
"Did they know that the plane was crashing? That this would be the end for them? I mean…in Devan's plane everyone was unconscious…they didn't have to feel the falling and the crashing…."
Nigel pondered that for a moment. "I don't know," he said, squeezing her hand. "I hope not."
Jordan nodded, but then continued, "The FBI agents knew."
"Yes. And so did we."
"But we lived. I just…they must have been scared."
Nigel didn't have an answer. He just looked away and started to prepare a body for transport.
At the mangled cockpit, Garret and Kate were waiting for rescue workers to free the pilot and copilot for them. While they waited, Detective Seely came up behind them.
"So, where are we at?" It seemed amazing that he could react so normally to such a situation.
"We're going as fast as we can," Garret answered. "Wait, why are you here? Woody was called to be the detective in charge."
"Yeah, my captain got wind of that," Seely said. "He thought that it would be better if someone else handled this case. Something about conflict of interest."
"That's hardly the way to describe it," Kate responded.
Seely rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Hoyt's off the case. If you see him, tell him to go home." With that, Seely marched off to consult with the others in charge.
Garret sighed as he was given the "all clear" signal. "Let's go."
Bug was still in the van. Woody was by him, trying to get him to at least move.
"C'mon, Bug," Woody tried awkwardly. "Garret's right…we need to get these people back to the morgue."
"Yeah, so we can give their families…and children…the news that they're gone forever," Bug said despondently. His hands were deep in his jacket pocket, one hand grasped tightly around one of Maddie's small toys.
Woody hung his head. He knew how Bug felt…the feelings of helplessness and fright came rushing back the moment he took in the scene. Instead of trying to persuade Bug anymore, Woody just leaned against the van. He didn't need to be out there, amongst the remains of the aircraft. Everyone would tell him what he needed to know later.
But he knew he couldn't just sit there. Bug might be able to try to avoid it all, but Woody couldn't. He let Bug know he was leaving, then headed in the direction he has seen Jordan go.
Hours later, all the dead from the crash were transported to the morgue and placed in drawers. Everyone was completely drained, physically and emotionally.
"Listen…we can start the autopsies in the morning," Garret said. "Everyone go home. Try to get some sleep. We've done what we could today."
No one replied, and one by one they all left. Woody was the last to move. He walked slowly through the morgue, stopping when he got to Jordan's office. He had never found her at the scene, and he hadn't ridden back with her either. Woody needed to see how she was doing.
The room was dark, but the soft sniffles told him and Jordan was in there. He paused at the doorway, taking in her silhouette lying on the couch. He softly walked over and joined her.
Woody lifted her into his arms gently and held her tight. He didn't say anything…he didn't know what to say. He just wanted to reassure her that he was there, and that she was there.
Jordan's tears soaked through his shirt, and his own began to form in his eyes. He held her tighter.
"We have to find what happened," Jordan said quietly. Her voice startled him a bit.
"We will, Jordan," he said. "It's going to be okay…we'll figure it out."
Jordan nodded against his chest. In a few more minutes, Woody realized that she was asleep…simply too exhausted to function anymore.
He gently pulled her afghan over her shoulders and lay down on the couch with her. There was no point going home…he'd just stay here and keep Jordan close. Tomorrow would come soon enough.