“It would be the best thing, Grace. I’m sorry,” he told her as she abruptly walked away from him and headed over toward the window in Donald’s office.
She was looking out toward the police cars and could see reporters and camera crews everywhere. Instantly she turned back toward the men in the room.
Jim was explaining that what happened to Grace this morning was leaked to the press. They were carrying on about interviewing her and about her being the only connection to the murders. They were showing pictures from three years ago, when all the press surrounded Clara’s murder and of Grace at her sister Clara’s crime scene. The media was playing the tapes over and over again on the television sets.
Donald, Jim, and Sandman looked at the main TV in the office outside Donald’s room.
The detectives gathered around listening to the reports, watching a scared, crying twenty-two-year-old woman shaking with fear as police officers and friends tried to comfort her. Then they showed the funeral and the same young sad Grace crying, mourning her sister’s death.
The news reporter spoke as the pictures covered the screen.
“Grace Thompson has returned home after nearly three years away. She has returned to her loving family and friends and with her return comes the news that a serial killer is loose in the area. The serial killer could possibly be the same person who killed her sister Clara Thompson nearly three years ago. The anniversary of Clara’s death will be next Wednesday. We hope to share an interview with the Thompson family and perhaps Grace herself as new information surfaces on this killer who remains on the loose and unidentified,” a reporter stated.
Grace stood in the doorway. She remembered it like it was only yesterday. The media had little respect for what her family was going through. Then they showed her mother and Eric holding her, comforting his grieving wife.
Grace recalled Eric’s ability to control the reporters, give them just enough information to make them leave the family alone. She was thankful to him for that.
A tear escaped her eye as she leaned against the doorway. Sandman and the others looked at her with sadness in their eyes. They probably remembered the incident as if it were only yesterday. As she glanced around at their faces, she recognized many of them. The way they offered support, searched day and night for Clara. The community came together pooling their hopes and prayers for a miracle that never happened.
Then her brothers John and Frank were at her side, pulling her attention away from the television set trying to once again console her as they brought her back into the office.
“I shouldn’t be here. I should be back in Europe. I should have never returned.” Grace pulled away from Frank and walked toward the corner of Donald’s office. She ran her fingers through her hair then placed her hands on her hips. The sadness that the scenes on the television set had caused her was now turning into anger and frustration.
“Don’t say that, honey. You belong here with us, your family, not in Europe,” said Frank as he stood behind his sister.
“We’re stronger than this asshole, sis. We’re Thompsons and we don’t give up without a fight,” said John.
Grace gave a small smile at her brother’s attempt to lighten things up. “I know that and I’m just getting frustrated. You should call Mom and make sure Eric is there with her and she’s not alone. This is going to upset her badly. Seeing those scenes on the television and remembering that time in her life.” Grace sat down on one of the office folding chairs.
John and Frank were so angry about the leaked information.
“I’ll call Mom. You call Peter,” said Frank as they took out their cell phones.
* * * *
Sandman knew that Grace found her sister’s body. She had gone through so much, that was obvious. He wondered why she left home for Europe. The family seemed so close, so loving. A lot of questions went through his mind.
He watched her on the TV and then standing there by the door so hurt, so sad, and scared all he wanted to do was take her away from all this.
He needed to get her away from here. Her life depended on it.
“Sandman.” Grace softly said his name as he turned and walked to her. She sat on a cushioned folding chair looking drained and exhausted but wanting to talk.
He squatted down next to the chair, still towering over her petite size, reminding him how feminine and delicate she was. She needed protection. He took Grace’s hand into his. He spoke to her softly, quietly, and she was thankful for his kindness.
“I can’t leave my family, Sandman. I can’t run away from this…From them again. I don’t know why this is happening. I just don’t understand it. My mom….Oh God, my mom needs me. I need her, too. I’ve been away for so long. This isn’t fair. I’m not going and you can’t make me.” She wiped an escaping tear from her eyelash.
Sandman felt terrible and this was definitely a bad situation. He knew his main priority would be to protect her and he wasn’t confident that he or his men would be able to accomplish that if she stayed here.
“Grace, honey, I know this is terribly difficult for you and for your family but…” He couldn’t continue his sentence as Grace began to speak.
“No buts. I’m not leaving m
y family.” She looked away from him, determined to fight him every step of the way. Sandman needed to come up with something fast or Grace could refuse his protection completely and that would be suicide.
“How about a compromise? If things stay the same for a while, if this killer doesn’t try to contact you, try to hurt you in any way, and as long as I feel your life is not in danger, then we can stick around here. How does that sound?” he asked her.
Grace looked at him and smiled as she squeezed his hand.