Chapter Twenty #2
“That’s a good idea. Don’t let me hold you up. I came to see how you’re doing and if I could help at all.”
“Stick around. I want to bounce a few things off you if you have time.”
“I got nothing but time, and I’m happy to bounce with you.”
Sam smiled at his predictable reply as she put through the call to Trulo.
“Lieutenant,” Trulo said. “What can I do for you?”
Eyeing the kitchen door and keeping her voice down, she said, “I have to tell two five-year-olds the worst possible news about their parents. I’m looking for a little guidance if you have a minute.”
“Ah, that’s a tough one.”
“For sure. Their older brother is coming, and he’ll be here when we tell them, but I have to admit, I’m a little out of my league here, Doc.”
“Totally understand, and I’m glad you asked.
One of the most important pieces of advice I can give you is to make sure they are told their parents are dead.
Use that word because they will understand it.
Often, we’re tempted to use gentler-sounding terms such as passed away, but that doesn’t help the child to understand the finality of what they’re being told.
You also want them to know they’re allowed to ask questions at any time.
They may not react the way you or I expect them to.
Sometimes they can seem almost nonchalant about life-changing news, but it could be that they’re still processing what you’ve told them and don’t fully understand yet. ”
Sam sat on the sofa and took notes.
“If they have comfort toys like stuffed animals or blankets, it’s good to have them close by when you tell them and do it in a place where you’re not likely to be disturbed in any way.
They need a safe, peaceful, quiet place.
I think that’s the important stuff. If you’d like me to be there when you tell them, I’m more than willing to come by. ”
“I think we’ll be okay, but I appreciate the offer.” Sam feared too many additional strangers underfoot when they were already surrounded by strangers.
“No problem. If there’s anything else I can do, please feel free to reach out. While I have you, I saw Sergeant Gonzales earlier. Without giving anything away, I want you to know I encouraged him to take some time off. I think it would do him good.”
“Is he okay?”
“I can’t answer that.”
“I understand. Thanks again, Doc.”
“Anytime.”
Sam closed the phone and said to her dad, “One more call and I’m all yours.”
“Take your time.”
Sam called Ms. Finklestein—and yes, the word Picklestein ran through her mind.
Damn Nick for putting that in her head! When she picked up, Sam said, “This is Sam Holland. I’m wondering if you were able to get into the Beauclairs’ home to get the items the children requested.
We’re going to share the difficult news with them when their older brother arrives this afternoon, and it would be good to have their comfort items here by then. ”
“I heard from the fire marshal, and someone from their office is going to take me in shortly. I’ll come straight to your home from there.”
“Very good, thank you.”
“I would like to be present when they’re told.”
“As long as you allow us and their brother to be the ones to tell them.”
“That’s fine.”
“We’ll see you soon, then.” Sam ended the call before the woman could comment further.
She never had gotten along well with authority and having a social worker up in her grill made her nuts.
While she knew it was entirely necessary, it still rankled and reminded her of the days when they’d had regular visits from social workers while they were in the process of adopting Scotty.
Thank God that was all in the past now. “Social workers are right up there with receptionists,” she said to her father, who grunted out a chuckle.
“My baby girl never did like being told what to do.”
“It’s a character flaw.” Sam put her feet up on the coffee table, taking a break while she could. Who knew that working from home could be as ass-kicking as a day on the streets?
Skip rolled his chair closer to her and lowered his voice. “What’re you thinking on this one?”
“My thoughts are all over the place, darting from the obvious ex-business partner with an ax to grind to the ex-wife who blamed the husband for outing her mental health issues during their divorce. I ruled her out, so now I’m wondering about the moms at the kids’ school who disliked Cleo for her sweetness and dedication. ”
Skip’s brows furrowed. “They disliked her for being sweet and dedicated?”
“Apparently, those traits aren’t welcome in someone new when there’s already a squad of alpha bitches running the joint.”
“Ahhh. I see. Your mom used to refer to it as the Mommy Brigade. She used to come home from meetings at school ready to murder someone. She’d go right for the liquor cabinet.”
Sam laughed. “Maybe I’m more like her than I thought.”
“You have a lot of her qualities. You’re loyal and loving and a great mom.”
Sam couldn’t recall the last time she’d heard her father pay such a glowing compliment to the ex-wife who’d cheated on him.
“Don’t look at me that way. I loved her. We were good for a long time. Until we weren’t. With hindsight, I don’t blame her for what she did. I was a shitty husband for the last ten years we were together.”
“Wow. You’re all evolved and stuff.”
“Having nothing to do but sit still all day gives a guy lots of time to think and reflect.”
“If you wanted to come into HQ a couple hours a day, everyone would be thrilled to have you and your brain at their disposal. You know that.”
“I appreciate it, but there’s nothing worse than retirees hanging around pining for the glory days.”
“That’s not what you’d be doing. You’d be contributing. I’ve got Cruz out on his freaking honeymoon for the next two weeks and Gonzo possibly taking some ‘personal’ time. I could use your help if you’re willing to give it.”
“Always willing to help you. You know that.”
“Good, then you’re hired starting Monday. Don’t be late or I’ll bust you down to Patrol.”
“Nice try, Lieutenant, but I still outrank you every day and twice on Sunday.”
“Are you already being insubordinate, proby? That’ll be noted in your jacket.” She let out a giddy laugh. “This is fun!”
Skip rolled his blue eyes, one of the only parts of him that still worked exactly the way it had before his devastating injury. “What’s the next step in the investigation, Your Highness?”
“Everyone’s due to report to me in person or on the phone by four. I’ll know more then.”
“How are the little ones doing?”
“Okay. Thank God for Shelby.”
“How many times in a day do you say or think that?”
“Too many to count.”
“You’re not getting too attached to those kids, are you?”
“Probably. They’re awfully cute.”
“Sam.”
“I know,” she said, sighing. “Tracy said the same thing. It’s hard not to get attached when they’re so sweet and going through such an awful thing.”
“I’ll confess to being surprised to hear you’d brought them home with you. It’s not like you to bring the job home.”
“I know, but they needed to go somewhere, and I acted before I thought it through. Not that I regret offering, because I don’t.”
“Still.”
“Trust me. I get it. If I’ve heard you say it once, I’ve heard it a million times. Leave the job at the office.”
“Sometimes it’s almost impossible to follow that advice.”
“This was one of those times.”
“Try not to make a habit out of it.”
“Don’t get too big for your britches, proby,” Sam said with a small smile.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Right,” she said, laughing. “Sure you wouldn’t.”
“Have you heard from Joe about the kids?” Skip asked, referring to his close friend, Joe Farnsworth, the chief of police.
“Not yet. Will I?”
“I’d pretty much count on it.”
“He’s going to freak, right?”
“Probably.”
She took a deep breath. She’d deal with that when she had to. One thing at a time. “I’d better go check on my charges and see if I can convince them to take a little rest before their brother gets here.”
“I don’t envy you having to tell them this news. They’ll always remember it.”
Sam’s chest and stomach felt heavy with the weight of what she needed to tell them and the knowledge that they would forever tie her and Nick to the worst moment of their lives. Maybe it was just as well that they wouldn’t get to keep them.
“Come give your old man a smooch.”
She got up and went to him, rested her hands on shoulders that were now bony rather than brawny the way they once had been, and kissed his forehead. “Love you, Skippy.”
“Love you, too, baby girl. Feel free to come cry on my shoulder later if you need to.”
“I will, thanks.”