Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Three: A Troubled Family

"Just what the hell is the meaning of this?!" the irate man strode over  to the trio causing Voight and Jay to automatically stand up and stand protectively in front of the pale woman.
"Gentlemen please take a seat," Celia instructed with calm authority then looked over at her husband with a stern expression, "Franklin you will behave like the good man you are and not like a bully .....,"
"But ....,"
"Please join us," the lady of the house held out her hand which was quickly taken as  Carson pulled over a chair and sat down taking a firm grasp.
"Mr. Franklin we ....," Voight began only to be interrupted.
"You need to talk to everyone involved in the case and that includes me," Celia cut in showing she was not only a loving and loyal person but also astute.
"Yes M'am," Jay nodded, relieved and grateful for her intervention, antagonising Carson Senior was not their aim.
"It's just Mary told me ...,"
"Mary is just worried about me but no one dictates what I do Honey, even when I'm ill."
"I know I'm just  ....," the contrite man looked at the Visitors as if he had forgotten their presence and straightened his shoulders determinedly, "my sincere apologies Gentlemen. I should not have made assumptions."
"You have a lot on your plate Sir," Jay put in when the Sergeant didn't respond then looked at their Hostess and reminded, "you were telling us about Clara ....,"
"Oh yes .... well she left for her Uncles' place in New York about a month after ... Tommy ....,"
"Has she come back since?" Voight sought formal confirmation of the family dynamics but the sadness that seemed to engulf the mother when the subject was broached had foretold her answer.
"No. We visited her a few times but she never comes home."
"I have to ask," the Sergeant stated solemnly, "did her leaving have anything to do with Tommy?"
"No.  She wasn't really ......," Celia quietly replied but her words faltered as she held tightly to her husbands' hand.
"Upset?" Jay asked gently after sharing a knowing glance with his Superior, they needed to know the full background however unpleasant it was for the parents, they couldn't simply make assumptions.
"Clara doesn't really show .... emotions ..," Carson took up the explanation and added with obvious reluctance, "she wasn't exactly broken up when Tommy never came back."
"How was she 'exactly'? the Detective probed gently sensing he was navigating a minefield of family torment.
"She was ..... indifferent."
"She was twenty at the time," Voight noted, "any chance she was involved?"
"No!" Claras' one word denial however was laced with a familiar dread, they had clearly considered the possibility.
"We did wonder," Carson admitted shamefully, clearly feeling a failure in his parenting duties, "but we never broached the subject with her. Things were already bad enough besides losing another child."
"We've lost her anyway," the distraught mother swiped a stray tear away, determined not to fall apart.
"You haven't told her about your diagnosis," Jay stated rather than asked.
"It's not news you give over the phone," Carson answered without answering the question.
"Well thank you for speaking with us," Voight rose, "as soon as we know anything at all we'll be in touch."
"Thank you Sergeant, Detective, " Celia smiled wanly, "I know you will do your best and that's enough.  I thank you most sincerely."
"M'am," Jay had walked over to the slight form, "whatever truth is out there your love for your children can't be diminished."
"I see you've been in the wars yourself young man."
"Nothing serious," the green eyed man brushed aside the comment and looked at the two hands still grasped together, "you rely on each other.  We'll do all we can."

Sitting in the SUV ten minutes later as they left the leafy suburb behind Voight stopped at a red light and broke the comfortable silence.

"How did you know Clara hadn't been told about her mothers' illness?"
"It was a hunch really," Jay shrugged, "I think they're afraid to tell her because it's highly likely she won't react as a person normally would."
"As in she won't be upset?"
"Yes."
"Clara was never regarded as a Suspect," Voight reminded then declared unhappily, "that changes now."
"I hope we can rule her out."
"Me too," the Sergeant sighed heavily as he obeyed the green light, after meeting Mrs. Carson he was more determined than ever to resolve the puzzling case.