CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT

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Heating up one of the few meals that's left in the freezer I split it between the kids, sitting them at the table while I change Abel and settle him back into his crib upstairs, his eyes already closing as he does what almost looks like a happy wiggle on his mattress.

Returning to the kitchen Donna sighs and comes to my side, watching the kids carefully "What do you think's wrong? Ope got a phone call and left like his ass was on fire, without telling me a single thing."

I shrug and make a couple of cups of fruit tea, the smell of Strawberry and Mango rising from the cups is soothing, but doesn't replace the coffee I desperately want, but won't touch cause of Donna. "I have no idea D. Chibs got a phone call, freaked out a little and they vanished into Chapel. All Jax said was he'd be a while and to come home."

It doesn't help my nerves at all when Jax and Opie both ring shortly after 9, telling us both that they'll be a while longer and for Donna to stay where she is. Jax telling me that Miles is on his way as well makes my already frayed nerves almost sever, but knowing that Cam, Al, Lyla, Cherry and Gemma are all at the clubhouse is the only reason I don't argue. That and the fact that the kids are all already asleep upstairs.

Donna frowns as she closes her phone "Something's really wrong."

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes at her obvious statement I simply nod and turn back to the piles of washing I'd been sorting through.

At 1045 when all the washing is clean, dry and folded Donna stands up and stretches "Bed time I think. Text the guys and let them know?"

I nod and make a move to head up the stairs, freezing in mid-step and watching Miles jump to attention when there's a knock at the door. Miles holds up his hand at the same time I turn and give Doj a command to sit, stopping right where he was on the landing he looks down the stairs towards the front door, the hair on his back sticking up and his ears flicking rapidly back and forth.

Miles moves slowly to the door and cracks it open, his shoulders relaxing as he pushes it further open "Hale. It's a bit late for a social call."

David steps through the gap and pushes the door closed behind him, his eyes meeting mine with a grimace "Unser is at TM but I wanted you to get the unmodified story."

I gesture towards the kitchen, watching David as his head swivels around "Nice house."

"Thanks but I know you didn't come here for decorating tips. What's the problem?" Donna and Miles both sit down at the table while I head straight for the stove. "Who wants hot chocolate?"

Everyone nods, bar David who politely declines as I start breaking chocolate into a bowl he clears his throat and turns towards me "We got a positive ID on the body found in the hotel today. And tonight another building was set on fire, no body this time though."

I sigh and nod "Okay, so you're here cause of why?"

David shakes his head "The woman in the hotel was someone presumed dead a long time ago."

"Who?"

"The woman that caused the accident that killed JT."

"I thought JT's brakes failed?" I abandon the hot chocolate to sit at the table and fix my eyes on David.

He shakes his head slightly "They did fail, but the reason he was braking in such a hurry was due to a woman who swerved her vehicle into the middle of the road, right into the path that JT was taking. His force of braking caused the brake cable which was damaged, to completely shear, leaving him with no brakes. From the reports with no brakes he had the choice of going over the edge of the road, down a 50 foot drop into a river, or onto the other side of the road. I can only guess that he thought he'd be able to get past the truck." David sighs and shakes his head "Anyway, I'm off topic. The woman was positively identified as the owner of the car; she disappeared that day but the damage to her vehicle it was assumed she had been thrown over the edge into the water."

"Okay. So you've ID'ed her. Not that it changes anything."

David frowns "Doesn't change anything, complicates maybe."

"How?"

"Her daughter was the one who rang to report that there was a building on Main on fire."

By now my frown is complete; I'm not sure why any of this information relates to me, or the Sons. I get that finding out the woman who was ultimately responsible for JT's death hadn't died as suspected is a huge thing, but she is dead now and that's not going to bring JT back, just open some old wounds.

David gains my attention again; as the sound of bikes pulling into the drive meets my ears "The building on Main was your one. What was Sherman's is gone."

Jax's voice in the doorway surprises me, even though I'd heard the bikes, the venom in his tone is clear "You asshole. I just told Unser that I would tell her, she needed to hear it from someone who loves her."

David stands up and turns around his back tenses, for a split second I feel admiration for him having the backbone to stand up to the entire charter "I'm an asshole? It's your clubs fault that her business has just been torched." Spinning back to me there's a very vindictive tone in his voice when he speaks again "The part of the building which was your bit has been decimated because there were no active smoke detectors or fire alarm the businesses on either side are damaged as well, but their fire protection systems kicked in and saved the building. You'll be lucky if they don't sue to try and get damages back from you."

I nod, blindly getting up and ushering David towards the door "I'll go and look at it tomorrow and see if there's anything I can do. And speak to the neighbours."

David looks shocked as I open the door "You don't want to go now?"

I narrow my eyes and feel my forehead bunching in confusion "It's eleven at night. What the fuck am I going to see now that won't still be there tomorrow and easier to see?"

David shrugs, going down the stairs and walking towards his squad car "Your choice. I'll let the fire investigator know you'll be there tomorrow. I'm sure he'll have some questions. Oh and Sarah; welcome home."

Closing the door behind me as I step back inside I lean against the wood for a second "Not even a day back and the world is ending." I mutter. Pushing off the door I walk back through to the kitchen "Right so someone tell me what happened. And where the fuck is Chibs?"