Mallory Raydor

Part 4

Mallory felt as though she was in a dream as her own mother asked her questions about her best friend.

"How long had you been living together?"

"Uh, we moved in just about two months ago and we were only supposed to stay through May or June. He was just being a good friend and letting us stay with him."

"How did you know each other?"

"We all went to high school together, kind of hung out with the same group and then after we all went to UCLA and just stayed really close. He's... He was, Oliva's godfather. Does my husband know yet?"

"He just came in, he's with lutenent Flynn now." Sharon replied. "I can't imagine how hard this is for you. But I have to know, was there anyone who would have wanted to hurt him?"

Mallory shook her head, "no" she breathed tears stinging her eyes. "Do you know for sure it wasn't just a robbery?"

"It's possible and we will look into it but just from the scene itself it doesn't look like one." Sharon explained handing her a tissue.

"Dylan had come out after high school and it had been hard. A lot of people didn't like that about him. It's why he moved out to that area, to get away from people we knew and start a new life."

"Do you think someone hurt him because of it?"

"If they did it was news to me and someone from his old neighborhood. I mean he was really proud. I know people have a hard excepting that but he was a good person. He didn't do drugs or get in with the wrong crowd. He just cared about people. He worked at a help center for kids who came from hard lives. It was called Center for hope."

"Sounds like a really great guy." Sharon smiled.

"He was" she sniffed with a soft smile.

"I think I got all I need for that."

"Chris can tell you a lot more. They told each other everything, and if Dylan was in trouble he would have told Chris."

Sharon nodded jotting down a few notes. "How are you holding up?" She asked putting down her notebook.

"My bestfriend is dead and I just found out my own dad has been lying to me... He is actually my dad right?" Mallory asked.

"What? Yeah, that I know for sure" Sharon replied a little thrown off.

"So you really didn't know about me being alive?"

"No idea, we didn't have a very good marriage after Ricky was born and then after losing you it was completely gone. But we stayed married for a long time, separated but still married. Then a few years ago I filed for divorce. I rarely saw him and the only contact we had would be when he came around drunk or when the kids were little he occasionally came over."

Mallory nodded looking at her daughter who was asleep on the couch. "He was gone a lot growing up. I had a nanny or my favorite was when the woman across the hall watched me because she had two little girls around my age and it was like a sleep over every night."

"What did he tell you when he was gone?"

"He usually said it was for work. Then when I got older, probably a teenager I started realizing that it wasn't work. The second I got the chance I moved. College was my escape, but I could still go home on weekends. I tried to help with the gambling and drinking but it rarely worked more than a few days then he was off on another binder. Dylan and Chris always were my back up when he came home. I couldn't always handle him myself and I trusted them."

"I'm so sorry" Sharon sighed.

"Don't be, my childhood may not have been all that great but I like to think I turned out okay. And I still love dad, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be who I am."

"And who's that? I want to get to know you." Sharon said with a soft smile.

"I think that may take more than just a conversation." Mallory said. "And I'm not sure I'm ready for that right now."

Sharon smiled softly and nodded, "I get it. Just take your time and know I'm here if you need me."

"Thanks" Mallory smiled. "Is there a chance I can see Chris?"

"Sure, I can see if they are done." Sharon nodded. They got up and Sharon led her out of her office. "Are you done with Chris?" Sharon asked Andy.

"Yeah Provenza is finishing up with him right now." Andy replies glancing at Mallory. "Can I get you something? You look a little pale." Andy asked.

"Uh, yeah do you have water and some fruit?"

"Sure I'll take you to the break room." Andy said leading her down the hall.

In the break room Andy grabbed her a water, "help yourself to fruit." He said gesturing to the fruit bowl.

"Thanks," Mallory said taking a banana.

"I know this is a lot to take in but if I know anything about your mom, and I hope I know her pretty well since she's my wife. I know that she loves her kids and she does anything for them. She never wanted you to be out of her life." Andy said with a gently smile.

Mallory looked at him, "I didn't realize she re-married."

Andy nodded, "Just last year actually."

"Wow, congratulations. And I'm sure you're right about her loving her kids. But I never had that. So this might take a minute."

There was a knock at the door and Mallory glances over her shoulder seeing Chris. Mallory got up, letting out a soft sob as she hugged her husband who held her close.

"He's gone" she cried into his chest.

"Shhhh, I know babe. Are you okay?"

"I don't know, this feels like a nightmare."

"I know"