A Deeper Darkness by Ellison J. T

Author:Ellison, J. T. [Ellison, J. T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, thriller, Suspense, Crime, Romance, Contemporary
ISBN: 9781459226968
Goodreads: 17893515
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2012-04-24T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Two

Georgetown

Susan Donovan

Susan was reading a book to Ally and Vicky when she heard the door chimes. Muted footfalls followed, then the bell-like voice of her mother-in-law, Eleanor, drifted up from the foyer, followed by the deeper tones of Detective Fletcher. Susan sighed and handed the book to Ally, who took it self-importantly and turned to her little sister, more than happy to take over.

“I’ll be back in a bit, ladies. If you need anything, call from the landing. I bet Grammy will be up shortly.”

“Okay, Mommy,” they chimed in unison.

She watched them from the doorway for a moment, her perfect little angels, then took the stairs down. The terrible threesome, as she’d started thinking of them, were lined up in the kitchen, ready to dissect her words yet again.

God, she just wanted this over. Hiding out at Eleanor’s house, dreading the funeral tomorrow, trying to keep the girls entertained and sheltered from the reality of their father’s murder, wondering who had broken into her house, and why, was starting to take its toll. And the girls… Tomorrow was going to wrench all of them apart, but especially the children. It would tear asunder the basting stitches she’d put into their little psyches.

Susan had actually entertained the thought of not allowing them to attend, but Eleanor had talked her out of that. She made the entirely valid point that it was important for them to have some finality to the situation or else they might think he was coming back. Apparently Eleanor had lost her father at a young age and was never told the whole story, only that he’d gone away, and figuring out the truth when she was old enough to be cognizant of the realities of life and death had caused a permanent rift between her and her mother.

Susan thought the girls had a handle on things, albeit on a small scale—they’d lost multiple goldfish and a hamster and seemed to grasp the concept of death—but she wasn’t altogether sure they would understand that their daddy was never, ever coming back. This wasn’t like a deployment, when he’d go a few days without word, then show up in their Skype, smiling and freshly sunburned, with new shadows behind his eyes. For now, being away from home was causing more consternation than anything. They were both out of their routine, and that made for difficulties.

After tomorrow, things would have to go back to normal.

Her new normal.

At least that’s what she kept telling herself.

She entered the kitchen and the conversation stopped. The detective stepped forward and shook her hand. His was warm and dry, like he had a fever. She pulled away abruptly; she didn’t need to get sick, but he didn’t seem to notice. Or care.

“Thanks for letting me come over, Mrs. Donovan.”

“You’re welcome. Do you have news?”

“Some. I’ve just gotten back from New Castle, Virginia. We found William Everett. It looks like he committed suicide last week, prior to Major Donovan’s death.

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