Chapter 20
"Jesus Christ"
Was all Emmet could say. Being a police chief he had a front row ticket to anything nitty gritty. There were the drive-byes and gangbangs in the inner city but it still hurt to see the bodies after they'd gone straight through the windshield. Especially the ones involving drunk drivers. But that was the thing about Molly Hadison, she wasn't drunk.
It was only sunrise when the squad cars arrived. Still soaked from the drizzling rain that had been pouring all night long. It had been a mostly sunny autumn even for Connecticut. The trees swayed gently in the morning breeze. It was all peaceful and quiet, say for the police helicopter and about 3 to 4 police cars and 1 ambulance. The worst part was that it happened on the freeway too. She was going so fast that when the car turned it caused at least 6 or 7 other cars to crash.
He didn't look at the body any longer than needed, he'd seen enough. It's truly shocking what a steering wheel can do to a face. The forensics had looked through her purse to get her ID and insurance. Not that insurance would do any good. Molly Hadison, the license said. Emmett knew who she was, the Hadison family was well known throughout the community. He saw her address on the card and took a breath. Time to be the bringer of bad news.
Andy sat with Tyler and James. The police officer kept talking but Andy stopped listening right after she had said "dead." The woman sat on one of the lounge seats waiting. For any sort of response.
"I know it's a lot to process right now."
James just looked down at the floor, at nothing.
"I-" he trailed off. "I don't understand, she never drank." He folded his hands. And even if she did she knows better than to…"
The officer nodded her head, understanding.
"We're still trying to figure out the details but we will let you know soon."
Tyler sniffed and for the first time Andy could see, the boy actually had a heart.
"So that's just it, I lost my mom." He buried his face in his arms but Andy heard him say one more thing that sounded like the word. "Again"
James stood up and headed to the kitchen. "Thank you for coming by." He said, obviously giving a sign that she should leave.
"We will give you a call as soon as we figure out more details. In the meantime, I'm so sorry for your loss Mr. Hadison." She made her way out of the front door as quickly as she could.
Andy walked over to Tyler and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Tyler." He started, "I don't think she just… crashed." He knew how bad it sounded the moment the words came out of his mouth. But he couldn't un say them. Tyler stood up and looked at Andy, his eyes puffy with tears.
"Stay the fuck away from me." He almost growled, "we were fine until you came along." He shoved past Andy. Great, I've assimilated just perfectly.