Dissolution by J.L. Campbell

Author:J.L. Campbell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Caribbean & Latin American Literature, Family Drama, Siblings, Family & Relationships
Publisher: The Writers' Suite
Published: 2023-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

Thirty-One

In the living room, Sherryn sat in front of the television, listening to the news with one ear.

"And on the crime blotters, thirty-six-year-old Gloria Wedderburn was found bludgeoned in her two room house in the Waterhouse community. There was no sign of forced entry, and based on information received, the police theorize that Miss Wedderburn may have been attacked by someone close to her. Miss Wedderburn remains in critical condition at the Kingston Public Hospital. Investigations will continue...”

With nausea knotting her stomach, she stumbled to her feet and hurried to Reece's office. She slammed the door behind her and marched to the desk. Despite trying to calm herself, her breathing was uneven. "Tell me you didn't do it."

Brows raised, Reece stared at her, but she wasn't fooled. She remembered his silence, and the deadpan expression he wore two days earlier, after they talked about Gloria and Maurice. His eyebrows drew together. "Do what?"

"Hurt Gloria," she whispered.

With one hand, she gripped her neck, the other hugged her waist. How was it possible to go from normal body temperature to freezing within minutes? She shivered, shook her head, and tried to form a rational thought.

Please, God, don't let him have anything to do with this. I can't bear this on top of everything.

Reece broke in on her prayer. "Hurt her how?"

"It was just on the news. She's in hospital in critical condition. Please say you don't know anything about it."

"I don't. No doubt she got what she was working for, but I didn't do it."

He spun the chair as she walked around the desk. Gripping him by the shoulders and bending to stare into his eyes, she begged him, "Promise me you didn't do this."

"Sher, it had nothing to do with me. I haven't seen her since the day before yesterday. Besides, she moved. I wouldn't know where to find her."

She cupped her forehead in one hand. "Jesus, Reece, the police are going to come."

He nodded. "Yes, of course, but I'm sure I'm not the only person who'd love to see her suffer."

"You know this will cause more problems, don't you?"

His shoulders heaved as if he was trying to control his breathing. "Unfortunately, yes."

"What do I tell the children if the police come here?"

"I hope they don't." His earnest stare helped reassure her. "Maybe I should go to the station, rather than wait for them to come to me."

"I dunno, Reece, if you didn't do anything then—"

"You're right," he said, "but I don't want the children frightened if the police turn up here."

"Oh, God," she whispered.

He got up and held on to her arm. "What's wrong now?"

"Maurice, how do we tell him his mother's been hurt?"

"I don't think we should say anything. Let's see what happens first. I don't want to scare him. Not after what she did."

"Okay. Yes. That's the best thing to do."

He pulled her into his arms, and she allowed him to hug her. She whispered into his shoulder, "I hope this doesn't turn into a bigger nightmare for us.

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