Reckless
Part 18
"Margaret, Lyam," Harry whispered, regretting that his words would wake the couple. Tom's mother rested her head against her husband's shoulder. The two were huddled together on the corner of the waiting room couch. Despite the fact it was midday, the couple was sound asleep.
Harry's voice caused Margaret's eyelids to flutter. At first her green eyes were blank, as if confusion kept her memories at bay. Then the knowledge of where she was and why she was there returned. Her face creased with worry as she turned her head to the source of the voice which had woken her. "Harry?" She gently pushed herself upright. "Is there something wrong with Tom?"
Harry gave her a gentle smile. "No, no. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
The woman's face showed a flash of regret. "My. . .my nerves are just a little on edge right now," she whispered.
"That's understandable." Harry stood upright and took a seat in the chair next to the sofa.
Margaret glanced at her sleeping husband. His mouth open slightly, but he otherwise seemed undisturbed by the activity. She gently pushed his mouth closed. "We took a little nap this morning at Tom's place, but I guess that wasn't enough."
"You've been through a lot the past couple of days. You really should go back and get some real sleep," the captain lectured.
"When we know that Tom's going to be okay we can do that." The determination in her words was clear.
Harry nodded, feeling the same way. "Where's Frannie?"
"She said she wanted to get some fresh air. She seemed very upset, but she wouldn't talk about what was bothering her. She must still be outside." Margaret was silent for a moment, then she took a deep breath. "We saw Cassy this morning."
"Here?"
"No. At Tom's. She looked bad, Harry. We tried to talk to her, but she left so quickly we didn't have a chance. You'd have thought we had the plague."
Harry glanced down at his folded hands. "She's not doing very well. On top of that, Evelyn's here."
Margaret grimaced at the man's words. "Oh Lord, that's all she needs." The woman shook her head. "I know she thinks that we blame her for what's happened. She won't give us a chance to tell her how we really feel."
The captain nodded his understanding. "She can't forgive herself so there's no way she will believe you can accept what's happened."
"We have no choice but to accept what's happened. She didn't hurt Tom on purpose. It was accident. . .a horrible accident."
Harry's breath caught in his throat. "That's one of the reasons I'm here."
Margaret frowned at the look on the man's face. It was evident by the worry in his eyes that something was very wrong. She moved forward on the couch, her stomach knotting with a twinge of fear. The motion woke her husband. "What?. . .What?" he gasped as he tried to get his bearings.
"Sorry, Lyam," Harry apologized.
Tom's father wiped the sleep from his eyes. "It's okay, Harry."
Margaret turned to her husband, the concern still showing on her face. "There's something wrong."
"With Tom?" Lyam sat upright quickly.
"No, no." Harry's words halted the man. "Something things have happened that I didn't expect."
"What?" Margaret's impatience was getting the best of her.
Harry stood and moved to the window, not wanting to face the couple as he discussed the case. "The preliminary Internal Affairs investigation has been released."
"And?"
"And, based on Cassy's statement and the circumstances that we know about at the warehouse, the investigators have concluded that she negligently failed to follow procedure."
Lyam stood and moved closer to Tom's boss. "What does that mean?"
"Right now, it means that Cassy is on suspension until further notice."
"That's it?" the other man pressed.
Harry shook his head and turned to face the father. "The investigation will continue. If Cassy's actions are found to be unjustifiably reckless and if certain other. . .things happen, it could lead to criminal action."
Margaret moved to join her husband. "What other things?"
Harry inwardly cringed, not wanting to tell the parents that their son's survival would be the factor which would decide Cassy's fate. He didn't have to.
Lyam pulled his wife close. "If Tom doesn't. . ." he stumbled over the words, took a breath and continued. "If Tom dies, what happens to Cassy?"
Harry swallowed. "She could be brought up on second degree murder charges."
The parents' faces paled in unison. "No," Margaret finally whispered, suddenly angry. "Don't you even talk about Tom dying. It's not going to happen."
Lyam tried to keep his wife in a protective embrace. Her Irish temper took hold and she pushed away violently. "I will not let you talk about our son dying."
"Honey, please. Harry and I are just discussing the possibilities," Lyam softly consoled.
"No. I won't hear it. Don't ever talk about our son like that again," the mother scolded.
Lyam took a deep breath, gave an apologetic look to Tom's superior, then moved towards the woman. "I'm sorry, Maggie. You're right."
The woman's eyes were reddened by her emotions. She lost control. Tears spilled over and down her cheeks. "He won't die. He won't," she whispered, now allowing her husband to pull her into a tight hug.
After a few moments of sobbing, she pushed away from Lyam's shoulder. Harry moved to her and placed a hand on her arm. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have upset you like that."
The woman gave him a regretful look. "I. . .I've behaved like a child. I'm sorry." Standing up tall, she gave him a strong look. "Is there anything else we should know?"
Harry looked up to the heavens for support. He didn't want to have to broach the other issue, but he knew he had no choice. "Yes. There is something else." He moved back to the window. "The whole thing is ludicrous, but the press has gotten a hold of something."
Lyam rolled his eyes. "The press?"
Harry turned back to the parents. "One of the television stations has found out that Tom and Cassy used to be married. They are implying that maybe. . .," Harry stopped, thinking through his words. "They are hinting that the shooting may be tied into the divorce."
Margaret felt an irrational chuckle come to her lips. "What? That has to be a joke."
Harry shook his head. "I wish it was. I couldn't believe it either, but you know how the press can be."
Lyam glanced at the disgusted humor in his wife's eyes. He felt his anger surge. "How dare they even imply that."
Margaret reached a hand to her husband's shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Honey, it's not important. It's certainly not worth getting angry over. We know the truth. That's all that matters."
Lyam swallowed down his ire. Harry shook his head. "If it were only that simple."
"What else?" Margaret was almost afraid to ask the question.
"Cassy's heard the report. She's very upset."
"Certainly she can't think anyone would believe a story that farfetched," Lyam responded, incredulously.
"She's hurting right now and the report certainly didn't help. Even though common sense should tell her that no one who knows about her and Tom would believe it, a part of her is terrified that people she cares about, like you, will fall for the lie."
The couple shook their heads in unison. "Harry, if you see her," Margaret finally spoke, "tell her to get down here. We need to talk. . .and we need to talk now."
Harry smiled at the woman's words. "I'll do what I can."
Lyam chimed in. "You tell our daughter-in-law that if she doesn't get her butt down here, I'm going to come to her. This has gone far enough. I will not let her do this to herself or to Tom."
End Part 18
To Part 19