Willing to Die (Alvarez & Pescoli)

“Don’t you think I have?” Sarina said, sniffing. “And . . . nothing.”

They continued to talk to the detectives for another twenty minutes or so before Paterno wrapped things up by telling them that they’d be kept informed.

“And you’re on the case, too,” Sarina said to Regan.

“Not officially.” Pescoli caught the tiniest bit of a reaction from Tanaka. The tightening of her jaw.

As Paterno stood, indicating the meeting was over, Sarina said, “Are you taking us to view the body? To ID Brindel?”

Regan shot to her feet. “Look, I’ll do it, okay?”

Sarina wasn’t about to be dissuaded, “But—”

“Seriously, you don’t want to do this. You can . . . work with the funeral home when the bodies are released tomorrow. It’s late now, but . . .” She turned her attention to Collette. “I’m used to this and do it all the time, and really, you don’t want to go through the viewing. Not tonight.”

For once her older sister actually listened to her. “I’m good with it. But Sarina . . .”

“I want to see her.” Sarina glanced nervously from Regan to Collette.

“You will,” Regan assured her. “But not now. Go home. Check on your kids. Get some sleep. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

“I don’t know—” Sarina was waffling.

“Sarina, seriously, I’ve got this,” Regan assured her.

“Don’t you think we’ve been through enough today?” Collette asked. She collected her scarf, wrapping it around her neck before reaching for her coat. “Let Regan handle this. She’s the professional.” She handed the shorter woman a damp jacket. To Regan, “You’re staying over, I assume.”

“With me,” Sarina said.

Regan held up a hand. “I’ve got a small apartment, an Airbnb unit not far from Brindel’s house. I’ll stay there.”

Sarina was dumbfounded. “The baby’s with Nate?”

“Here. I brought Bianca with me. She’s watching him now.”

“I—I want to meet him,” Sarina said. “I—just wish it was under better circumstances, you know.” She swallowed back another spate of tears. “I really wish you would have taken me up on my offer and stayed at the house. Now that Denny’s gone, I’ve got lots of room.”

“Denny’s gone?”

“You don’t know?” Sarina’s face crumpled. “He left me. Abandoned us. For . . .”

Oh, God.

“. . . another woman,” she squeaked out. “Left our sons. Can you imagine? Ryan and Zach are devastated. Devastated.” Sniffing, she dabbed at her nose. “Who would do that to their own kids?”

Collette looked over the top of Sarina’s crown to Regan and she gave the tiniest of shakes to indicate that the subject of Sarina’s marriage shouldn’t be pursued, at least not here. Not now.

They walked into the hallway and Collette said, “Why don’t you come over to my house in the morning?”

“No, no. Mine,” Sarina insisted. “I’ll have to get Ryan and Zach off to school.”

Collette agreed. “Fine.” To Regan, “Good with you?”

“How about in the afternoon?” Regan asked. “That will give me enough time to figure a few things out, I hope. And I’ll need to spend some time with Tucker and give Bianca a break.”

“That’ll work,” Collette said, before Sarina could protest.

“I’ll escort you out,” Tanaka said, and as Collette, carrying the umbrella, shepherded Sarina down the hall, the young detective led the way.