When the Dead Speak

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Sam took a breather, settling back on the lumpy couch in the master bedroom. She had spent the afternoon cleaning out the walk-in closet. Boxes were marked with colored tape based on whether they were for the church rummage sale or storage until the remodeling was complete.

The master bedroom had fond memories of how she used to climb into bed and get lost in the mound of pillows. She would curl up on her father's side just to smell his aftershave, feel as though he were always there even though he was half way around the world on a news story.

The room looked out of place now. Not just because the decor didn't match the rest of the house, but because it seemed so empty, so...she couldn't bring herself to say the word dead. She pulled a mahogany jewelry box onto her lap and opened it. Inside were cuff links, tie tacks, and a variety of sterling silver bracelets and necklaces with inlaid turquoise and coral.

Her fingers picked through the tarnished silver and leather wristbands until a familiar-looking pin caught her eye. She slammed the lid shut and hurried down the staircase.

"Abby?" Sam clutched the jewelry box as she ran through the dining room into the kitchen.

Jake strode in from the study with his typical gait, long strides, similar to her father's. Maybe it was their height. Even at the precinct, she noticed Jake had a purpose to his walk. It wasn't an arrogant strut. Jake's head would be bent slightly forward, always kept straight, but his eyes would sweep the room from left to right under those thick brows.

"Abby and Alex just left," Jake said. He opened the refrigerator and checked the contents.

Sam cocked her head, looked at Jake's wet hair and his clean knit shirt that smelled of Abby's fabric softener. "This isn't a goddam hotel, Mitchell. You're getting your clothes washed, your bandages changed..."

Jake slammed the refrigerator door shut, knocking some of the magnets off the front panel. "I'm outta here."

He slid the screen door open just as Sam said, "Wait." She opened the jewelry box and mumbled, "I need your help."

Jake jerked his head around. "Excuse me?"

Sam took a deep breath despising the fact that she had to repeat herself knowing full well he had heard her the first time. "I said I need your help." She looked at him and tried to stop the tears that were welling up. She whispered, "Please." Jake closed the screen door and walked over to Sam. "I found this in my father's jewelry box." She held up a gold pin in the shape of a lightning bolt.