And love
Chap 24 Visitor, or more?
A/N: In chapter 23 I made a mistake. I originally started to name the young girl in Bridgeport Cassie (short for Cassandra); in 23 I wrote Carissa – wrong! Now I am going back to Cassie, sorry for the confusion.
Now I'm back after a hiatus, reading a beautiful trilogy on Joanna. See Luke 8:2-3.
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DINNER
Mary Rose takes Cassie's hand and leads her downstairs. They enter the dining room and Cassie takes the place between the sisters. The adult's gape at the newcomer; "Mary Rose, who is our guest?" Jamie mumbles.
"This is Cassie, she is here visiting us," Mary Rose confidently introduces the guest. "She came with mommy and daddy today."
All heads turn to Jamie.
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DINING ROOM TABLE
Frank's phone chimes, his emergency tone. "Excuse me for a moment, I must take this," he steps away from the table and goes to the sunroom to talk.
"Frank Reagan here."
"Frank, this is Chief O'Malley of Bridgeport PD. We have a situation here."
"Oh, how can I help?"
"Let me start from the beginning."
"That's usually best," Frank chuckles.
"Yes, it is. When my men thoroughly checked the O'Brian compound, they found a real tragedy. Iin an upstairs bedroom in the main house they found what appears to be a murder-suicide."
"Have you identified the bodies?" Frank asks.
"Yes, we have. The probable murderer is John O'Brian; his victim is MaryAnn – his wife. But we have a problem."
"Such as?"
"John and MaryAnn's 9 y/o daughter is missing."
"Would that be Cassie?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"She is sitting in my dining room, eating dinner."
Silence.
"Chief?"
"Ah . . . yes . . . would you repeat that, please?"
"Cassie, presumed O'Brian, is here with me in Bay Ridge."
"How did that happen Frank?"
"I don't know yet. It appears that she somehow came here to NYC with my son. He and my daughter-in-law went up to Bridgeport to transport Kara and Dylan Walsh back to NYC; Kara and Eddie are best friends."
"Did your son intend that?"
"I don't think so. May I call you back after I know more?"
"Certainly, please do ASAP."
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DINING ROOM
Frank retakes his seat. He places his elbows on the table and rests his chin in his hands. He looks at Jamie, "Well, what do we know, son?" He looks at Cassie, and can tell that she has been crying.
"Dad, can we talk in the sunroom?"
Frank nods, yes.
As Jamie passes Cassie, he puts his hands on her shoulders. He squeezes lightly and whispers in her ear, "It will be ok." He follows his dad out of the room.
The men sit on either end of the couch, slightly facing each other. Frank starts:
"Chief O'Malley called. They found a murder-suicide in the home on the O'Brian property. It appears that it was Cassie's parents, John and MaryAnn."
Jamie bows his head, rubbing his palms down his face. "God, dad, what are we going to do for her?"
"We need to see what family she has, and if they can care for her. I will have Abby Baker start the process of discovery."
"And in the meantime?" Jamie voices.
"Can you and Eddie look after her?"
"I think so, I'll call and see what she says. She is at the hospital right now, supporting Kara and Dylan."
"Good, I will talk more with Cassie; she said that she knew something terrible had happened upstairs. That was why she snuck into my SUV and came here with you. This will be a shock, but she has an inkling."
"Ok, I'll slip into the kitchen and call Eddie."
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DINING ROOM
Frank sits down next to Cassie, places an arm around her shoulders and begins to talk softly.
KITCHEN
Jamie takes out his cell and presses Eddie's speed dial. When:
Eddie bursts thru the back door and into the kitchen. She runs into Jamie's arms; after a hug and kiss she exclaims "Jamie, Dylan just woke up!"
"That's great babe, but I need to talk with you-
"I gotta grab some stuff and get back to the hospital."
"Eddie, wait. We need to talk-
"No, I need to go-
"Eddie, stop-
Voices raise-
"Jamie! I need to go and support-
"Eddie! Stop-
"NO! Don't you understand-
Voices higher-
"We have something important to decide-
"NO! My best friend needs me!" Eddie is screaming now.
"Eddie, our family needs you!"
"The girls?"
"No, but-
"I'm going back to be with Kara and Dylan!" She grabs the car keys off the counter, heads out of the kitchen and slams the door.
Jamie hangs his head, SHIT!
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DINING ROOM
Everyone heard it all, including Cassie.
As Jamie steps back into the dining room Cassie quickly gets up, slamming her chair against the wall. She is starting to cry as she bolts to the stairs and runs up to the bedroom where she had been playing with Mal and Mary Rose, the youngest one hot on her heels.
Mal gets up and goes to the doorway. She turns around, standing with fists on her hips and her arms akimbo. "You folks stay here, hear me! Us girls will fix this mess!" She turns and goes upstairs, joining Cassie and Mary Rose.
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TBC
