Courage Enough - Chapter 6
Chapter 6 ~ Falling Apart in Pieces
The next morning when Lindsay arrived at work, she promptly got a text from Claire about the identity of the victim. She left a note for Jacobi telling him where she was and to call her if anything else happened. Lindsay walked in at the same time as Jill and Cindy followed shortly thereafter. After the foursome exchanged hellos, Claire jumped into her findings.
“We now know the victim to be Scott Johnson. We identified by dental records. Now we found a strange mark on his chest,” Claire said as she pulled back the sheet covering the victim. As soon as she did so, Cindy gasped and went pale. Lindsay was immediately by her side, preventing her from collapsing.
“Cindy, honey? What is it?” Claire asked.
Cindy swallowed and replied, “That’s Scott. I work with him at the Register. He’s the one who told my editor about the undercover cop on our last case. I just saw him at work yesterday.” Lindsay pulled a chair over so Cindy could sit down and Claire pulled the sheet back over Johnson so Cindy wouldn’t have to look at him. Cindy sank into the offered chair with a blank look on her face. Lindsay looked at Claire and Jill with a subtle nod towards the door. They got the message.
“Cindy? I’ve got court in twenty minutes. I’ve gotta run before Denise has my head. You gonna be okay?” Jill asked.
Cindy nodded, visibly trying to will herself not to cry. As Jill was leaving, Claire managed to slip out unnoticed by Cindy. As soon as the two were gone, Lindsay immediately knelt down in front of Cindy and took her hands. Cindy looked at Lindsay with tears in her eyes. “I just saw him yesterday, Linds. I talked to him. Who could hate him enough to do this?”
Lindsay had no response, so she did the next best thing. She pulled Cindy to her in a fierce hug, hoping that was the right move. Cindy started to sob against her jacket. Lindsay just pulled her tighter and started to play with her hair. Cindy clung to Lindsay as she started to hyperventilate. At that point Lindsay separated and looked Cindy in the eyes. “Cindy? You need to breathe. Babe, you’re hyperventilating. You need to slow down and breathe with me.” Cindy began to calm down a little. “Good. There you go. That’s a bit better.”
At this point, Claire felt safe to reenter her domain bearing tissues, which she handed to Cindy. Cindy managed a nod as a thank you. Claire placed a hand on Cindy’s back while Lindsay kept a firm grip on one of Cindy’s hands.
After a bit, Cindy finally managed to choke out, “thanks guys, but I really should get back to work.”
“Cindy, you can barely breathe, let alone work. I need to get in touch with Scott’s family anyways. I am going over to the Register to get the information and you are taking the rest of the day off,” Lindsay swiftly replied.
“But…”
“Uh-uh, no buts honey. Lindsay’s right about this one,” Claire interjected.
“Alright,” Cindy grumbled. Cindy let herself be led out of the morgue by Lindsay’s firm grip.
“Jill…you can come back now!” Claire called down the hallway once Lindsay and Cindy were out of sight and hopefully out of earshot.
Jill sheepishly poked her head back around the corner of the hallway, “how’d you know I’d still be here?”
“Because I know you, hon,” Claire said with a smirk.
“Fair enough,” Jill replied. “She okay?”
“She’s with Lindsay. I think she’ll be fine sooner than we expect,” Claire said sagely.
With a nod, Jill gave Claire a hug and headed off to pull Scott’s phone records.
On her way to the Register with Cindy, Lindsay called Jacobi and filled him in. He promised to meet her there to help canvas coworkers. After hanging up with Jacobi, Lindsay stole a glance at Cindy. She still looked a little pale and her eyes were bloodshot. Lindsay started to rub her thumb over Cindy’s hand. Cindy seemed not to notice and Lindsay was about to ask if she was okay when Cindy started talking.
“I didn’t even know him that well. He was basically a coworker who liked to steal my deadlines, but it’s so different when you actually know the victim. I was not expecting to see someone I knew. Usually I’m able maintain some distance. Sorry I fell apart. I was so not expecting to see Scott when Claire pulled back the sheet.”
“Hey, hey, hey. Look at me. You have no reason to apologize for being human. I would have been shocked too if it had been someone I knew. I’m just glad we were there to catch you,” Lindsay said as she pulled her car into the parking garage next to the Register. She leaned over and pulled Cindy into a quick embrace before hopping out of the car. Cindy took Lindsay’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze before making her way towards the doors of the building.
When Jacobi entered the main office of the Register, he spotted both Lindsay and Cindy at what he assumed was Cindy’s desk. He made his way over and nodded hello to both of them, managing to keep the small smile off his face when he saw how Lindsay kept her hand on Cindy’s shoulder.
“Hi, Warren,” Cindy said quietly.
“Hey there, Cindy. How ya doin’?”
“I’ve been better,” Cindy sighed.
Lindsay motioned to Jacobi away from Cindy’s desk. Jacobi got the message.
“Hi, Jacobi. Thanks for meeting us here. I need to take Cindy home. She wants to stay here and work, but I have a feeling she won’t be at all productive. I got the victim’s address and his parents address, so would you do me a huge favor and inform the family? We can ask around here and canvass the employees tomorrow,” Lindsay said in a quick rush, all the while glancing at Cindy.
Jacobi just grinned and said, “You are so whipped, Boxer.
“Ugh. I knew I was gonna get a smart ass comment from you at some point. Just go talk to the family, please? I still need to get Cindy to let her editor know she’s taking the rest of the day.”
“Alright, Lindz. But, you owe me.”
“Don’t I always?”
Jacobi shook his head, but took the information from Lindsay nonetheless and headed out. Lindsay, on the other hand, headed back to Cindy’s desk.
“Come on, Red. We need to tell your boss you’re taking the rest of the day.”
Cindy nodded and silently got up, surprising Lindsay with her lack of argument. Lindsay almost let her go alone to ask her boss, but there was something about the way she was acting that told Lindsay to go with her. Cindy seemed in a daze, so Lindsay did all the talking. Cindy’s boss gave her the rest of the day quite quickly after being pinned with Lindsay’s laser vision. Cindy blankly followed Lindsay out of the Register to her car. After making sure Cindy was secured in the car, Lindsay went to climb into the driver’s seat. Just before buckling in, her phone rang. She cursed and got out of the car to answer the phone. It was Tom.
“Boxer.”
“Hi Lindz. I’m really sorry I didn’t get back to you yesterday about this weekend off.”
“You mean this weekend which starts tonight? You did manage to get me off tonight right?”
Tom cringed and answered, “Well, I was able to get you tonight and tomorrow off, but you have to work Sunday on account of the new case.”
Lindsay sighed, “Thanks Tom. That’s better than nothing.”
“How’s the case going? You get an ID yet?”
“Actually, yes. I just came from the Register. The vic is one of their reporters, Scott Johnson.”
“You’re red-headed friend know him?”
“Yes, Cindy does know him and she’s not doing so well right now, so I’m taking her home. I don’t really want to leave her alone. Something’s not right with her. I’m worried Scott might have told her something. If I can make it back in today, I will, but don’t count on it.”
“Alright, Lindz. See you later.”
“Bye, Tom.”
Lindsay snapped her phone closed and climbed into her car. Before putting the key in the ignition, she glanced at Cindy, who was staring straight ahead barely focusing. Lindsay turned the car on and headed home.
When Lindsay reached her house and situated Cindy on the couch, she went to change out of her work clothes and take Martha out. She returned from her quick spin around the block with Martha to find Cindy sitting in the exact same place. Lindsay walked over and engulfed Cindy in a tight embrace. Cindy practically melted into her and started crying again. Lindsay pulled Cindy into her lap and just held and rocked her. After a while, Lindsay realized Cindy had fallen asleep. So, Lindsay picked her up and carried her to the bed. Lindsay began to tiptoe out of the room when Cindy started to whimper, so Lindsay walked back over to the bed and slipped in next to Cindy.
The next morning when Lindsay arrived at work, she promptly got a text from Claire about the identity of the victim. She left a note for Jacobi telling him where she was and to call her if anything else happened. Lindsay walked in at the same time as Jill and Cindy followed shortly thereafter. After the foursome exchanged hellos, Claire jumped into her findings.
“We now know the victim to be Scott Johnson. We identified by dental records. Now we found a strange mark on his chest,” Claire said as she pulled back the sheet covering the victim. As soon as she did so, Cindy gasped and went pale. Lindsay was immediately by her side, preventing her from collapsing.
“Cindy, honey? What is it?” Claire asked.
Cindy swallowed and replied, “That’s Scott. I work with him at the Register. He’s the one who told my editor about the undercover cop on our last case. I just saw him at work yesterday.” Lindsay pulled a chair over so Cindy could sit down and Claire pulled the sheet back over Johnson so Cindy wouldn’t have to look at him. Cindy sank into the offered chair with a blank look on her face. Lindsay looked at Claire and Jill with a subtle nod towards the door. They got the message.
“Cindy? I’ve got court in twenty minutes. I’ve gotta run before Denise has my head. You gonna be okay?” Jill asked.
Cindy nodded, visibly trying to will herself not to cry. As Jill was leaving, Claire managed to slip out unnoticed by Cindy. As soon as the two were gone, Lindsay immediately knelt down in front of Cindy and took her hands. Cindy looked at Lindsay with tears in her eyes. “I just saw him yesterday, Linds. I talked to him. Who could hate him enough to do this?”
Lindsay had no response, so she did the next best thing. She pulled Cindy to her in a fierce hug, hoping that was the right move. Cindy started to sob against her jacket. Lindsay just pulled her tighter and started to play with her hair. Cindy clung to Lindsay as she started to hyperventilate. At that point Lindsay separated and looked Cindy in the eyes. “Cindy? You need to breathe. Babe, you’re hyperventilating. You need to slow down and breathe with me.” Cindy began to calm down a little. “Good. There you go. That’s a bit better.”
At this point, Claire felt safe to reenter her domain bearing tissues, which she handed to Cindy. Cindy managed a nod as a thank you. Claire placed a hand on Cindy’s back while Lindsay kept a firm grip on one of Cindy’s hands.
After a bit, Cindy finally managed to choke out, “thanks guys, but I really should get back to work.”
“Cindy, you can barely breathe, let alone work. I need to get in touch with Scott’s family anyways. I am going over to the Register to get the information and you are taking the rest of the day off,” Lindsay swiftly replied.
“But…”
“Uh-uh, no buts honey. Lindsay’s right about this one,” Claire interjected.
“Alright,” Cindy grumbled. Cindy let herself be led out of the morgue by Lindsay’s firm grip.
“Jill…you can come back now!” Claire called down the hallway once Lindsay and Cindy were out of sight and hopefully out of earshot.
Jill sheepishly poked her head back around the corner of the hallway, “how’d you know I’d still be here?”
“Because I know you, hon,” Claire said with a smirk.
“Fair enough,” Jill replied. “She okay?”
“She’s with Lindsay. I think she’ll be fine sooner than we expect,” Claire said sagely.
With a nod, Jill gave Claire a hug and headed off to pull Scott’s phone records.
On her way to the Register with Cindy, Lindsay called Jacobi and filled him in. He promised to meet her there to help canvas coworkers. After hanging up with Jacobi, Lindsay stole a glance at Cindy. She still looked a little pale and her eyes were bloodshot. Lindsay started to rub her thumb over Cindy’s hand. Cindy seemed not to notice and Lindsay was about to ask if she was okay when Cindy started talking.
“I didn’t even know him that well. He was basically a coworker who liked to steal my deadlines, but it’s so different when you actually know the victim. I was not expecting to see someone I knew. Usually I’m able maintain some distance. Sorry I fell apart. I was so not expecting to see Scott when Claire pulled back the sheet.”
“Hey, hey, hey. Look at me. You have no reason to apologize for being human. I would have been shocked too if it had been someone I knew. I’m just glad we were there to catch you,” Lindsay said as she pulled her car into the parking garage next to the Register. She leaned over and pulled Cindy into a quick embrace before hopping out of the car. Cindy took Lindsay’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze before making her way towards the doors of the building.
When Jacobi entered the main office of the Register, he spotted both Lindsay and Cindy at what he assumed was Cindy’s desk. He made his way over and nodded hello to both of them, managing to keep the small smile off his face when he saw how Lindsay kept her hand on Cindy’s shoulder.
“Hi, Warren,” Cindy said quietly.
“Hey there, Cindy. How ya doin’?”
“I’ve been better,” Cindy sighed.
Lindsay motioned to Jacobi away from Cindy’s desk. Jacobi got the message.
“Hi, Jacobi. Thanks for meeting us here. I need to take Cindy home. She wants to stay here and work, but I have a feeling she won’t be at all productive. I got the victim’s address and his parents address, so would you do me a huge favor and inform the family? We can ask around here and canvass the employees tomorrow,” Lindsay said in a quick rush, all the while glancing at Cindy.
Jacobi just grinned and said, “You are so whipped, Boxer.
“Ugh. I knew I was gonna get a smart ass comment from you at some point. Just go talk to the family, please? I still need to get Cindy to let her editor know she’s taking the rest of the day.”
“Alright, Lindz. But, you owe me.”
“Don’t I always?”
Jacobi shook his head, but took the information from Lindsay nonetheless and headed out. Lindsay, on the other hand, headed back to Cindy’s desk.
“Come on, Red. We need to tell your boss you’re taking the rest of the day.”
Cindy nodded and silently got up, surprising Lindsay with her lack of argument. Lindsay almost let her go alone to ask her boss, but there was something about the way she was acting that told Lindsay to go with her. Cindy seemed in a daze, so Lindsay did all the talking. Cindy’s boss gave her the rest of the day quite quickly after being pinned with Lindsay’s laser vision. Cindy blankly followed Lindsay out of the Register to her car. After making sure Cindy was secured in the car, Lindsay went to climb into the driver’s seat. Just before buckling in, her phone rang. She cursed and got out of the car to answer the phone. It was Tom.
“Boxer.”
“Hi Lindz. I’m really sorry I didn’t get back to you yesterday about this weekend off.”
“You mean this weekend which starts tonight? You did manage to get me off tonight right?”
Tom cringed and answered, “Well, I was able to get you tonight and tomorrow off, but you have to work Sunday on account of the new case.”
Lindsay sighed, “Thanks Tom. That’s better than nothing.”
“How’s the case going? You get an ID yet?”
“Actually, yes. I just came from the Register. The vic is one of their reporters, Scott Johnson.”
“You’re red-headed friend know him?”
“Yes, Cindy does know him and she’s not doing so well right now, so I’m taking her home. I don’t really want to leave her alone. Something’s not right with her. I’m worried Scott might have told her something. If I can make it back in today, I will, but don’t count on it.”
“Alright, Lindz. See you later.”
“Bye, Tom.”
Lindsay snapped her phone closed and climbed into her car. Before putting the key in the ignition, she glanced at Cindy, who was staring straight ahead barely focusing. Lindsay turned the car on and headed home.
When Lindsay reached her house and situated Cindy on the couch, she went to change out of her work clothes and take Martha out. She returned from her quick spin around the block with Martha to find Cindy sitting in the exact same place. Lindsay walked over and engulfed Cindy in a tight embrace. Cindy practically melted into her and started crying again. Lindsay pulled Cindy into her lap and just held and rocked her. After a while, Lindsay realized Cindy had fallen asleep. So, Lindsay picked her up and carried her to the bed. Lindsay began to tiptoe out of the room when Cindy started to whimper, so Lindsay walked back over to the bed and slipped in next to Cindy.