All Fall Down (35 page)

S
unlight spilled over Melanie as she stepped out of CMPD headquarters. The sudden brightness stung her eyes, but she welcomed its burn. Only a few hours ago she had thought she would never see the sun again, never again bask in its brilliant heat.

She and Connor had made it. They were alive.

As Connor had predicted, one of the CMPD investigators had been tipped by Bobby to Veronica and Mia's friendship. Bobby had also pointed out that both Melanie and Connor hadn't been seen since going into Mia's home, hours before.

The cavalry had come—and found the two of them strapped to those damned chairs and lying in a pool of blood. Uncomfortable, but very much alive.

After receiving a doctor's okay and getting cleaned up, they'd given their statements to the police. Her chief had been there. Chief Lyons, Harrison and Stemmons. Steve Rice. Chief Lyons had commended her for the job she'd done on both the Dark Angel and Andersen cases. Steve Rice had suggested there might be a place for her at the Bureau. Not to be outdone, the CMPD chief had echoed a similar offer.

Funny, she had waited so long to hear just such an offer, yet all she felt was numb.

Statements complete, she and Connor had been released to their own devices. Released to face tomorrow. And every day after that.

Mia.

A small sound of pain slipped past her lips and Melanie stopped, the horror of the past hours overtaking her. She struggled for an even breath, for a way to put it behind her, for a place to put it.

Connor drew her into his arms and against his chest. “I know how much it hurts, baby. I know.”

“How am I going to put it behind me?” she asked, voice breaking. She lifted her face to his. “How am I going to…forget?”

“You won't ever forget. But someday you'll wake up and it won't hurt quite so bad.” He cupped her face in his palms. “I'll be there that day, Melanie. And every other day, too.”

“I love you, Connor.”

His lips lifted. “And I love you.”

“Mom!”

Melanie turned. Casey stood down the sidewalk from them, his father beside him, a hand on his shoulder, holding him back.

“Casey!” She knelt and held her arms out. Stan let him go and Casey raced toward her, face wreathed in the most beautiful smile she had ever seen.

In a flash, he was enfolded in her arms, held tightly to her chest, to her heart. “I missed you so much, sweetheart,” she whispered. “So much.”

He hugged her back, tighter and harder than she would have thought him capable of.

After a moment, Melanie loosened her hold, but
didn't release him. She lifted her gaze to her ex-husband. He gave her a small salute, turned and walked to his car.

She watched him go, then smiled, forcing thoughts of Mia back, along with them the ache of betrayal, of disbelief and disillusionment. She would have plenty of moments for mourning the sister she had loved with all her heart, but not this moment. This moment she dedicated to life.

Lifting Casey in her arms, she turned to Connor. “What do you say we go home, Agent Parks?”

“I like that idea, Officer May. I like it a lot.”