Rachel stepped in for her. “I don’t know what your problem is Detective Dempsey, but I find your behavior completely out of line. Tiffany is not a resident but an employee, the daycare director, but even if she were a resident, I would expect her to be treated with respect.”
He had the decency to look chagrined. “My apologies.”
Tiffany ignored him. She had worse concerns. “What’s going on?”
“Tara overdosed.” Rachel barely got the words out before she choked on tears.
“Is she…” The final words of the question wouldn’t come out.
Rachel shook her head. “The coroner is on his way. We were on our way outside to meet him.”
The world crashed around Tiffany. Sweet Tara, gone forever. She’d come so far, overcame more obstacles than a person should have ever known. Like Tiffany, she’d been in an abusive relationship and broken free three months ago. Had there been signs?
Tiffany frantically searched all her memories over the last three months. Nothing in them indicated Tara was using, and Tiffany considered herself an expert at spotting the signs since she’d been a pro at hiding her own use.
It couldn’t be real, but Rachel wouldn’t lie.
Her legs weakened, barely able to support her. She reached behind her, used the wall as a brace. Only until her head stopped spinning. She had to be strong. For everyone. But nothing made sense.
She heard voices but couldn’t make them out. Felt a hand gently grab her arm and guide her to a chair.
Someone kneeled in front of her. Directed her to close her eyes and take deep breaths. To picture herself in a place that made her happy and concentrate on that.
The voice repeated the instructions in a calm, soothing manner.
Five times.
Tiffany did as she was told until she snapped out of her shock. She saw Connor kneeling in front of her, concern etched in the corners of his mouth. His hateful words from when he’d spotted her screamed loudly in her mind.
It didn’t matter that he’d been the one to bring her out of shock. It didn’t matter that he looked truly worried for her now.
What mattered was that he’d never forgive her for the person she’d been nine years ago.
Recognizing she was in Rachel’s office she pushed her hands against the armrests of the chair and stood to her feet. “I have to go. The children will be upset and need me.”
He nodded. “I’ll escort you to the daycare.”
“Where’s Lilly?” she asked after glancing around and not seeing the carrier. “In the lobby. I called Mrs. Leola and explained what happened. She’s going to take Lilly to her house for the day.”
You had no right, she wanted to shout, but deep down she appreciated the gesture. Today would be a long day, with little time to manage a puppy she’d only had for two days. “Thank you.”
He rocked on his feet, his discomfort palpable. “About earlier, I’m truly sorry. There’s no excuse for my behavior.”
She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “This isn’t the time. We’ve had a tragedy and the shelter will have to ban together to get through this. I’m worried about the effect it will have on the other residents.”
“Nevertheless-”
“Excuse me,” she said pushing past him, “I have a job to take care of.”
He followed silently beside her, pushing open the double doors for her that she hadn’t been allowed behind earlier.
Carl met them midway down the hall. “All the residents and children are in the cafeteria. Can you make sure none of them leave, please, until I give the all-clear?” He absently scratched behind his ear. “The coroner is pulling around back so none of the ladies and children will have to see, as long as they stay in the cafeteria.”
“I’ll make sure of it.”
“Thank you.” Carl bit down on his lip before speaking again. “Lila isn’t handling it well at all. She’s the one who found her. I thank God all the children were in the cafeteria eating breakfast when it happened.”
“She’ll need lots of prayer and counseling. All the ladies will. I’ll speak to Rachel about bringing in a grief counselor. At the very least, we can bring Morgan in.”
