Miranda James - Murder Past Due

The tragedy of it all was stunning, and I felt such pity for Julia. I could do something for her, though, by continuing to look after her son however I could.

“How are you?” I examined Justin with concern. He looked like he had slept very little the past two nights.

Justin shrugged. “I don’t really know. It’s all too freaky.”

Diesel rubbed against his legs, and Justin squatted down to hug the cat.

“Yes, it is,” I said. “I want you to know, though, if I can do anything to help you, I will.”

“Thank you,” Justin said, looking up at me. Besides the fatigue, I thought I could see the beginnings of a new maturity in his face. He stood.

“Actually, there is one thing you can do for me, if you will.” Justin watched me calmly. “I’d like to stay here with you for now.”

“Of course you can,” I said. I had to speak around a lump in my throat. “Diesel would miss you terribly, you know.”

Justin gave me the ghost of a smile. “I’d miss him, too. Rick wants me to move in with him and my brothers and sisters.” He shook his head. “That sounds so weird. I have brothers and sisters now. Half, that is, but still.”

“I’m glad. It’s good to have family.” I paused. “But it can be a bit confusing to try to get to know them all at once. Maybe you need a little time to get used to the idea.”

“Yes, sir,” Justin said. “Thank you, Mr. Charlie, and you too, Diesel.”

He stood there for a moment, and my heart ached for him. But Diesel and I would do our best to help him.

“I think I’ll go up to my room and take a nap,” Justin said.

“Sounds like a good idea.” I smiled at him. “And I’ll bet you can talk Diesel into coming with you.”

“Come on, boy,” Justin said, waggling his fingers at the cat. “Let’s go upstairs.”

I sat down at the table, forgetting about work for the moment, as boy and cat left the kitchen. I heard Justin clumping up the stairs, and I realized what a reassuring sound that was.

In the years since my wife died, I had done my best to isolate myself from all but the necessary daily contacts with other people. With my son and daughter off living their own lives, I had only Diesel for any kind of emotional companionship.

That had been enough for a while. But the shock of the events of the past week had broken through that shell I had almost unknowingly put up around me.

For a moment I fancied I could see both Jackie and Aunt Dottie sitting at the table with me. “It’s time,” Jackie would say, and Aunt Dottie would nod in agreement.

I smiled as the images I conjured up faded away, leaving only the glow of happy memories.

Yes, it was time.

I gathered my things and headed for work.