Chapter Twenty-Two
Kate went to the hospital to visit her friend, her daughter and the wife of the friend, whom she was still undecided as to whether they would be friends or not.
Kate told Sean, “I went to the funeral home where they took your shooter. I saw his wife and signed the book.”
Sean asked, “Kate, have you lost your mind?”
Kate told Sean the story about Rusty Williams and how he was a war vet that fell through the cracks. She told about his wife and kids and that he had been cremated because the family didn’t have much money and they couldn’t repair the face. Kate had barely finished her story when they heard a soft knock on the door.
Haley walked over and answered the door. Kate stared into the face of the wife of the man she shot.
The woman introduced herself, “Hello, I am Sharla Williams, the wife of the man you shot. I came here to apologize for what my husband did and to explain that he had some mental issues that were a result of the war.”
Kate brought a chair and asked Mrs. Williams if she would like to sit. She told her she knew all about the war, she had served a tour there herself.
Sharla Williams looked at Kate and said, “I know about your war record and I know all about who you are. I saw you today, when you opened the door and glanced in, I saw you and I saw your name in the book.”
Kate said, “I am sorry for what I had to do, but I stand by that decision. Your husband showered the whole neighborhood with bullets even as the children ran up and down the sidewalk. Your husband got a raw deal from the government. He clearly needed help that he never received. I have seen the things that he has seen while over there. It is bad and it drives far too many people insane.”
Sharla Williams said, “Thank you for understanding but of course that doesn’t excuse what he did. I just wanted to come here and say that in spite of everything, I would ask you not to attend the funeral tomorrow. I don’t think my children are up for it and I don’t want to explain who you are.”
Kate replied, “I understand and I will honor your wishes. There is a fund for families of victims of violent crimes. I can put in for that to see if you are eligible.”
Sharla replied, “Thank you. I said what I came to say so I will leave you alone now.”
After Sharla left, Sean said, “I still can’t believe you actually went up and signed the funeral book.”
Megan said, “That’s my mom.”
Haley said, “If I had known you were going, I might have gone with you.”
They were bringing Sean’s food tray and Kate looked at the other two women there and asked, “Anyone up for some dinner? I can bring something back for you. I told the captain I was coming here and I would be back to work as soon as I am released for real duty.”
Haley said, “I have heard a lot about “The Squealing Pig ". I want to go there.”
Kate said, “I am sure Sean over sold it. It is just a nice hang out, not too loud where a couple of detectives can discuss a case.”
Haley said, “I have heard him talk about it many times and it was something he shared with you, it was the cop part of him and I want a glimpse of it, I want to feel like I have shared it with him. He may never be able to come back. I need to experience it now.”
Kate replied, “It is okay with me, how about you Megan?”
Megan responded, “Whatever, I am just along for the ride. What do they have?”
Kate said, “They mostly have pizza and sandwiches, some soups and a fish chowder.”
Haley said, “We could share a pizza. I just want to look around. Can you show me your usual table?”
Kate said, “We usually sit at the same place. Let’s go!”
Kate led the other women out to her car. After everyone was buckled in, Kate said, “Let’s go to the Pig.”
They found a parking spot and Kate escorted the two women inside. She didn’t think she had ever taken her daughter there either, but sometimes they weren’t talking so it was understandable if she hadn’t. Kate pointed to the table where she and Sean sat. It was unoccupied so they took their seats there. Kate pointed out the chair Sean usually sat in and Haley sat in it immediately.
Haley remarked about how close she felt to Sean while sitting in his chair. She had begun to slowly rub her hands up and around the chair she was in. She seemed lost in her own world.
The waitress came over to take the order and Kate ordered a large pepperoni pizza with peppers and mushrooms. She added a small salad for everyone.
Haley asked, “Do the waitresses here get to know your name, since you come here a lot?”
Kate replied, “They have a pretty fast turnover of help. By the time you really get to know someone they are replaced by someone else.”
Megan said, “I have seen some pizzas on a few tables, they actually don’t look too bad.”
Kate replied, “It isn’t a chain pizza place, that is the important thing. It is unique food prepared on premises and not dough shipped on a truck to be rolled out in the chain kitchen.”
Haley asked, “Did you guys really talk about your cases here?”
Kate answered, “We really did. I had my notebook with crime scene and autopsy photos spread out right there on the corner of the table.”
Before the conversation got too far out of hand the pizza arrived and the three women busied themselves eating, but Haley had to ask another question.
Haley asked, “Have you and Sean ever been sexual together? You are together all day long.”
Kate replied, “NO! We are professional, we see dead bodies and we see the lowest humans on the planet. Yes we are together all day but our environment is far from being sexually appealing.”
That seemed to satisfy Haley’s question and that stopped any new question. It was a white lie of sorts and she wanted to make sure Sean was protected. She was glad they got it out in the open. Kate wished Haley hadn’t asked it in front of her daughter but at least it was out.
They didn’t eat all of the pizza, there were a couple of slices left. Kate knew she needed to run off what she had already eaten.
Kate said, “Why don’t you take those last two slices left to Sean. I am sure he would appreciate that.”
Kate picked up the ticket left by the waitress and handed it with her debit card to the waitress when she came back around. Kate knew money would be tight for Sean for a while although he would still get a disability check that should start soon.
Kate told Haley she would take her back to the hospital but she thought she and Megan needed to go home and Megan needed to get back to school. Kate drove up to the front door of the hospital so Haley wouldn’t have far to walk. The front doors were locked at ten P.M. and she would have to go through security to get in after that.
After Haley got out, Kate sped away.
Megan said, “Oh my God, can you believe her at the restaurant.”
Kate replied, “She got a little over the top for sure.”
Megan said, “I watched her with Sean’s chair and I was beginning to think she was going to hump it next. I couldn’t believe it. I really couldn’t believe that she asked that question of you. I mean, wow. Even if I thought it was true I wouldn’t have asked it and especially in a crowded restaurant.”
Kate replied, “She is protecting her interest. She is scared, she almost lost him and it made her question everything. Let’s go home and get some rest.”