At Big Bob's insistence the media was not to be informed of the death of the Belcher family, until Louise had been told. The last thing he needed was for her to accidentally find out from a news report. He also made it abundantly clear that the staff was not to say a word about the tragedy. Until Louise knew. He pointed out that a seventy-five-year-old man who had outlived all but one member of his family. Didn't exactly have any reasons to fear prison, and that was enough to keep everybody's lips zipped. The next few hours were hell. Simultaneously wishing that Louise would wake up already. So, he could tell her and be done with it, and dreading having to break the news. He hated having to be the one to do it, but Gayle was an absolute basket case and from the limited interactions he'd had with Gloria and Al. He didn't see either of them being able to break the news gently. Emotions were not his strong suit, but he was getting better with therapy, and he had the hospital's psychologists at his disposal.
Louise slowly blinked her eyes open, quickly shut them again, and then reopened them even slower than the first time. She repeated the cycle two more times. Before accepting that she was in fact awake. Awake and in the hospital. She had desperately wanted the events of the previous day to have all been a bad dream, and to wake up safe in her bed, but it was true. She grimaced at the sight of her cast. A big heavy contraption. Bad enough to spend the entire summer in a cast but something big and hot. That had to be the worst luck ever. Until she remembered about her family. They were presumably still trapped under the street. That was decidedly worse. She just hoped they were not angry with her for taking so long. If they were even alive to be angry. She quickly shook that thought away. She knew the odds were against them, but she did not want it to be true.
"Hey Louise, glad to see you are awake." Big Bob greeted.
"Yeah, I guess" Louise sighed.
"How's the leg?" Big Bob asked.
"It's OK. It hurts but it's not too bad." Louise replied.
"That's good" Big Bob replied.
"Their dead, aren't they?" Louise questioned.
"Yeah, they are. I'm sorry." Big Bob apologized. He hated to think she was anticipating this but at the same time he was relieved he didn't have to tell her outright.
"I guess that's good." Louise laughed.
"Why on Earth is that good?" Big Bob questioned.
"Because now they can't hate me for not getting there in time." Louise replied.
"Louise your family could never hate you." Big Bob assured.
"Well, they should, and I guess their ghosts do. Because this is all my fault." Louise snapped.
"Louise they were trapped under the street in a tiny car. It's a miracle you are alive. The odds of survival of rescue. They weren't great." Big Bob explained.
"Yeah well, it's my fault they got down there in the first place! I am the one who wanted to play detective! I am the one who wanted to find Cotton Candy Dan' real killer! I should have just let it be! Even if we had lost the restaurant at least we would have been together! At least they would have been alive! The cops would have figured it out eventually and they would have caught Grover. But no, I had to try and be the hero. Now Grover is on the loose and can hurt more people and it's all my fault." Louise sobbed.
"Louise" Big Bob whispered.
"I mean my parents are dead! Who is going to take care of me?! Gayle is crazy! My mom's parents don't care about us! Not that I deserve love! I deserve to be alone!" Louise cried.
"Louise you are going to be taken care of. I can guarantee that." Big Bob assured.
"By whom?" Louise sobbed.
"I can't answer that right now, but I can assure you. That you will have a home." Big Bob assured.
"What about Grover?" Louise questioned.
"Who exactly is Grover?" Big Bob asked.
"Grover Fishodor. He is the cousin of Mr. Fishodor and his brother Felix. He seemed like a nice guy, but he isn't." Louise explained.
"Look the media and the police. They are waiting for answers. I am going to make a few calls and we will take care of it. Now this does mean you are going to have to talk to the police, but I will be there for you. Through the whole thing." Big Bob assured.
"OK" Louise whispered.
Big Bob left Louise long enough to call the news station and give the go ahead to break the news of the death of his family. He also contacted the police and told them what Louise had told him. They would be by to talk to her soon.
It was a busy day at Channel Six News in Seymour's Bay. Between the fire at Wonder Wharf that had destroyed most of the park and resulted in the tragic death of the Fishodor brothers, and the incident under Ocean Avenue. When the crew first received the news, everybody assumed it was a sick joke. How could an entire family be trapped under a street, but the station manager quickly confirmed its accuracy. It wasn't until nine in the morning. The following day when the remaining family confirmed their tragic deaths. The news was immediately released by the station and all the other local stations.
Louise would be released soon enough. Her vitals were stable and there wasn't much more that could be done for her leg. The cast would do its job and she just had to stay off it. Which wouldn't be that hard given how badly it hurt. She would have followed up appointments and would start physical therapy at some point, but for now she just needed to rest. They were just waiting on the discharge paperwork and for the police. She could not believe that she had to relive what had happened. That she would have to relive it numerous times. Between her statement, the trial, and the fact that this was going to be major news for a while. She was eating a pathetic hospital lunch. When the door to her room opened and two officers walked in. Big Bob entered to greet them, and they had a short conversation in hushed whispers. Before the officers walked up to her bed.
"Good afternoon, Louise. I am Officer Franklin, and this is Officer Miller." Officer Franklin greeted.
"Hey" Louise muttered.
"First of all, on behalf of the Seymour's Bay Police Department and the town of Seymour's Bay. We are all terribly sorry for your loss." Officer Miller stated.
"Thanks" Louise muttered. She hated that phrase. I mean really why did it need to be said? Somebody lost a loved one or loved ones. Another person or other people were dead. Of course, people were going to feel bad, but why did people have to go around apologizing for it? It wasn't like it was their fault. The only person who owed her an apology was Grover and she doubted that would happen.
"Now I know this is not going to be easy, but do you think you can tell me what happened last night?" Officer Franklin questioned.
"I knew Mr. Fishodor didn't kill Cotton Candy Dan. I mean why would he? An ex-con he can overwork and underpay? No way he would be expendable, and I doubt he had anything Mr. Fishodor would have wanted." Louise began.
"Were you close to Calvin?" Officer Miller asked.
"He was our landlord. I mean he was an interesting guy, and I am sad that he is dead, but we weren't close. I just wanted my family to keep our home. Money was tight and the rent was due. Mr. Fishodor had an understanding with my parents. They could pay a little late, but whoever took over. At the time it was supposed to be his brother Felix. I doubted they would be so kind, and I mean I'm nine. I shouldn't be on the streets. So, I played detective. The carnies swore they would never kill one of their own. So, we went to the wharf. My brother, sister, and me." Louise explained.
"And you encountered Grover at the wharf?" Officer Franklin asked.
"Yes, we ended up under the Mole Hill and he confessed his plan. Then he made Calvin and Felix try to flee the country in a fake submarine. I mean it was part of an old ride. So of course, it wouldn't actually float. So that's why they are dead." Louise explained.
"What about your family?" Officer Miller asked.
"Grover got us trapped in a clam car. Another old ride. My dad drove away, and I guess we were going to climb out where the sinkhole was, but it was filled, and we were trapped. My dad tried so hard to break the pipe with the wheel. It was a metal wheel, but he couldn't. We managed to crack the top open, but I was the only one who could fit through the hole. I escaped and screamed for help, but the fire had broken out and sirens were blaring everywhere. So, nobody heard me. Finally, I threw my Kuchi Kopi through the storm grate, and somebody saw. They called 911 and got me out but because of the fire. I was down there a long time. They said I passed out and when I woke up, I was here. I told them what happened, but it was too late." Louise explained managing to not break until the end.
"Thank you for being so brave. That is all we need, and our thoughts are with you." Officer Franklin replied.
"We will catch him." Officer Miller assured.
"Thank you, officers." Big Bob said.
"No problem and here are some numbers you can call. She is going to need a lot of help." Officer Franklin replied, handing Big Bob a sheet of paper.
Grover walked around the remains of Wonder Wharf. His plan was working perfectly. A few tears for the reporters. Saying how tragic it was to have lost his cousins in the prime of their lives and how devastating the loss of the wharf was for the community. The evidence was burned to a crisp and the Belchers were certainly dead. Nobody would ever know. A police car pulled to a stop in front of the wharf. Why on Earth were they here? They said last night they had everything they needed. Everything was in the hands of the fire marshal now, and he had handled everything so well. He quickly drummed up more fake tears and somberly waited for the officers to approach.
"How may I help you officers? I gave my statement last night. Pardon me if it was not clear. I am just so distraught." Grover sniffed.
"Grover Fishodor you are under arrest for the arson of Wonder Wharf; and the murders of Calvin and Felix Fishodor, and Bob, Linda, Tina, and Gene Belcher. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided to you." One of the officers explained as he placed handcuffs on Grover's hands.
"There… There has to be some mistake." Grover stammered.
The news of the loss of two of their students sent the faculty and staff of Wagstaff into a frenzy. A frantic mass email was sent to every parent, and teachers were careful to not play the news in their classrooms. Some teachers even changed lesson plans to keep students from having to utilize the internet. Since the home page was the website for Channel Six News. Any parent who could attend was called to an emergency PTA meeting and that's where it was decided the news would be broken via an emergency assembly during the last period. Kids would then be sent home and outside of final exams. For the sixth through eighth graders, and graduation. All other activities would be suspended for the remainder of the year.
The student body of Wagstaff gathered in the auditorium wondering what the assembly could possibly be about. There were only a couple of days left in the year and the kindergarten through seventh grade had already had their award ceremonies. What could they possibly be telling them. The speculation ranged from a lecture on how to have a safe summer to the announcement that the school was going to be torn down and turned into a candy factory. A few kids feared that summer vacation had been cancelled due to global warming. While others assumed that global warming meant an extended summer break. Eventually Mr. Frond walked up to the microphone giving it a solemn tap.
"Hello Wagstaffians. You are probably wondering why this last-minute assembly has been called. It is with a heavy heart. That I inform you that two of our students Tina and Gene Belcher were killed last night in a tragic accident. Along with their parents. Louise Belcher survived the ordeal and is currently in the care of her grandfather. We will be holding a meeting at a later date to determine a way to support Louise and your parents will be notified when the times and dates of the services are announced. All end of the year activities save for semester exams and graduation activities have been cancelled or postponed. We will inform you of the new dates once they have been decided. Grief Counselors will be available beginning tomorrow and through the first week of summer vacation." Mr. Frond explained.
Alex Papapasian felt the world fall out from under his feet. How could this be? He had never fit in. He had never really had a friend. Until he started talking to Gene in gym class. Gene was a fellow fat kid and was usually the only kid slower than him. Coutney could be slow, but she had a medical reason and people were sympathetic to her. Gene was one of the few people who never shamed his body or his interests. They were virtually the same. Aside from the fact that Alex took school a little more seriously. Now he was gone.
Rudy reached for his inhaler. How could this be? How could Louise's entire family be dead? Dead as in gone forever? This had to be a mistake. This had to be a nightmare.
Benj shifted nervously in his chair. He hadn't known the Belcher kids well and he had never met their father. He had met Linda a few times at school activities, and she was always very kind to him. Tina was so much older. They never interacted much but she always offered to help him if she saw him in the hall during her hall monitor shift and would greet him in the halls. He had been partners with Gene on a field trip once and he had been kind to him, but they never really talked after that. Not because of Benj's condition but just because Gene was forgetful. He hadn't interacted with Louise beyond an occasional hello in the hall. Until her Amelia Earhart project a few weeks earlier but she was so nice and never made him feel bad. He hated that this had happened.
Zeke felt a pain he had never felt before. As if somebody was simultaneously punching his gut and squeezing his heart. Tina was dead? but he loved her! Gene sweet Gene who had never hurt a soul. Their parents were gone too. Bob was one of the few adults who saw the good in him and even though Bob was only at Wagstaff a few days. His kindness had made a huge difference in Zeke's life. Linda was always so kind to him, asking him about wrestling and being the mom, he never had. Cheryl was nice enough and loved him, but she just didn't feel like a mom to him. How could they all be gone? and poor Louise. She acted tough but she was actually extremely vulnerable. She did not deserve this. How was she going to cope. Mr. Frond continued to ramble on, but Zeke could not sit another second. He grabbed his backpack and ran out of the auditorium. He ran straight out of the school and down the street. He had no idea where he was going. He just needed to get away from all this pain.