CCC #49

The chief picked up my kid sister and carried her limp form to the couch in the front room. I followed behind on my crutches. This was going to be hard. I could hear the boys playing in the back yard as I made it to the sink and got a washcloth out of the drawer.
After wetting it in the sink, I made it back to Marie and the chief. She was still unconscious as I placed the cloth on her forehead. It was a few seconds later that she awoke. She sat up on the couch, trembling, with tears in her eyes. I knew she was tough but this was not going to be easy.
“Marie, “ I began. “Marie, Jack is dead.” I didn’t know how to make it any easier so I just put it out there. “He was killed on the orders of Raymond Cabrese. We had been working on busting him for a year or so now. They caught him and killed him.” She tried to take it stoically but the sobs started.
I levered my way down and next to her on the couch. I didn’t know what to do besides take her in my arms and let her cry. I’d rather die myself than have to give her that news. I still hadn’t come to terms with the fact that my best friend was dead.
I wanted to run away like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Chief Whitcom was silent and sympathetic in the easy chair that had been Jack’s favorite. After what seemed a long time, the sobs subsided and Marie sat up.
She took my hands and looked me in the eyes. “Did he suffer?” she asked. I swallowed hard and squeezed my eyes shut against the budding tears. “Yes.” I said in a cracked voice. Her hands tightened on mine. “What happened?” she asked. “I don’t really know.” I answered. “I found him and he was already gone.” She swallowed hard herself and great tears welled up in her eyes. “Did you get them? Did they suffer?” she asked with venom in her voice.
I looked over at the Chief. I was still under arrest and I didn’t know if I wanted to tell the story of the wildnight 4 days ago. He shook his head slightly. “I got them all.” Was all I said.
She was crying again but managed, “He was relentless trying to get Cabrese. I am glad you accomplished his goal.” It was my turn to only nod and then hold her to my chest as she wept.
Finally, the Chief rose and said, “We have to go Steve.” “Okay” I said. “Marie, I will be back as soon as I can. The department will take care of the funeral. You can say goodbye then. The Marines will send people as well.” I got myself up and the crutches under me.
Marie stood as well. “Thank you for waiting and telling me yourself.”she said. “I am going to need you.” She raised herself on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. I nodded again. “I’ll be back.” I promised and followed the Chief to the door. I looked back in time to see her collapse again on the couch sobbing.
The Chief and I exited, closing the door quietly behind us. “Will you call my mother to come over and help her?” I asked him. “Already done” He said, and we walked back to the waiting patrol car and Hard Face behind the wheel.
I climbed in the back as the Chief got in the front. The car started and pulled out of the driveway. I remained silent as was my right, but tears made their way down my cheeks all of the way back to the station.

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