Return to Innocence
Part 10
Peter led Kathy by the hand into her car. She had insisted on going to the hospital to see Michael, even though there was nothing she could do. . .anyone could do to change what had happened. Peter looked into her sad eyes and couldn't refuse her request.
Travis Wilson had agreed to stay at the house and watch over the sleeping Elizabeth until Kathy's neighbor could come over and care for the child. Peter thanked the man for agreeing to assist. Travis smiled sadly and said, "He was my partner, too."
The thought had stunned Peter. It had not dawned on him that Michael had a new partner, a teammate who would be just as devastated by the loss. Wilson had remained calm and efficient during the events following the raid, much calmer than Peter had ever felt.
"Thank you, Peter." Kathy's voice was a mere whisper. "I know how hard it was for you to come to me. But, I'm glad it was you."
Peter nodded, afraid to speak, afraid that the emotional dam that he was erecting would burst and all of his sorrow and rage would come rushing out, uncontrolled. He glanced over at Kathy and saw her wipe a tear from her cheek, then she spoke again. "When we get to the hospital, I need to cal Jack and Paula." She looked at Peter and realized that he did not recognize the names. "Michael's parents."
Peter, once again, could only nod. Kathy's hand raised to her cheek again, swiping at the next tear which came, following the path of the first. "Peter. . ." Kathy said his name and then stopped, taking a deep breath. "Tell me what happened."
Peter almost slammed on the brakes to the car. He didn't want to tell her. . .didn't want to remember. He could still feel the impact of Michael's body as it was flung lifelessly into Peter's. He could still feel the weight of his friend sprawled, unmoving, across his chest. No, he was certain he didn't want to remember.
He looked at Kathy, prepared to protest the question, and then saw her eyes. Eyes that needed to know the truth. . .needed answers. And one thing Peter knew was that Kathy's needs were more important than his own.
Peter stared ahead, watching the darkness, under the guise of attentive driving. Looking at Kathy, however, would break him. Staring ahead was the only solution.
He repeated the details of the night's events, leaving out those things that would only hurt Kathy. The recital ended up being short. . .succinct. It could have been a summary for the R-90 post-arrest report that would have to be completed, in triplicate, by him later. But it gave her the information she needed. . .the answers she craved.
Her voice became suddenly cold, "So the man who shot Michael is alive?"
Peter nodded. Kathy's eyes became painfully enraged. "How is that possible?"
Peter knew the anger she was feeling. It made no sense to him either. How could a good cop. . .a good man like Michael, be taken from them and trash like Watson survived. There were no answers.
Peter pulled the sedan into the hospital parking lot, finding that he had to park in the visitor's lot, rather than the police parking near the main entrance of the emergency room. The police lot was full of official vehicles. . .fellow officers who had come to offer their support, but instead, could only mourn the loss.
Another notable vehicle was in the parking lot. . .one that filled Peter's heart with dread. . .the Action 3 News Van. And with the van's arrival, so arrived Sandra Mason.
"Kathy, the press is here. The side entrance is secured. We have no choice but to enter from the front. Are you gonna be okay with this?" Peter had to warn her. Sandra could be brutal. Peter would do everything in his power to protect Kathy from the vulture, but he knew that even his Shaolin skills were no match for Mason when she was hot on the trail of a juicy new story.
Kathy nodded, wiping at her face once again. "I have to see him. I'll deal with them." Peter could hear the resolve in her words and knew that she would be strong. That had always been a trait about the woman that Michael spoke of with pride- -Kathy's strength during times of adversity. He wished desperately that he felt as strong.
The two approached the glassed in entrance of the emergency room and saw what could only be described as a three-ring circus taking place in the hospital lobby. Peter dreaded walking into the middle of it; even thought that Kathy might change her mind, but the woman kept walking forward, determined to see her husband one last time.
Sandra Mason saw Peter. Then she looked down at his front side. Peter, following her eyes, looked down also. He was startled to see dark brown stains covering his shirt. . .blood. Michael's blood. He had been so caught up in the tragic events that he had forgotten. How could he forget something so obvious? He closed his eyes for a brief second, realizing suddenly that Kathy had seen the same signs of death on his shirt. He now knew why she had correctly assumed the worse.
Peter opened his eyes quickly, feeling the sudden motion of Sandra Mason as she rushed towards him, microphone in hand, cameraman in tow. "Detective Caine, I have a few questions."
Kathy looked at Peter, not wanting to be caught up with the offensive woman. Peter scanned the room desperately, looking for assistance. Captain Jim Barnes had just entered the lobby from the opposite side. Peter motioned for the Captain to come over. The man looked at the reporter, looked at Kathy and then looked at Peter, nodded his understanding and approached the group quickly.
He placed himself between the reporter and the new arrivals. "Ms. Mason, I have already told you that we will be releasing an official statement to the press within the hour. Until such time, I would appreciate it if you would leave my officers alone."
Sandra looked quizzically at Peter, "But he's not your officer. . .he's with the 101st." Her voice was cocky, knowing that she had turned the Captain's words against him.
Barnes' face became hard, "Ms. Mason, Detective Caine now works in my division. He is under my authority. . .my protection. You will leave him alone." The man used his deepest, strongest voice and the sound waves could be felt by everyone in the lobby. All fell silent, including the reporter.
Peter nodded his head in gratitude for the Captain's intervention, and then he led Kathy by the arm towards the emergency rooms, hoping to find the doctor who had valiantly attempted to save Michael.
End Part 10
To Part 11