The Nature of Things

Chapter 51

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Lindsay found Debbie sitting on the small bench outside of the waiting room and sat beside her, taking her hand.

"They asked me to sign a release to put her on life support."

"Did you?"

"Yes," Debbie said through tears. "The doctor said he'd come back out and let me know how she's doing but that's been over an hour ago now."

"I talked to the nurse and she was going to let him know that I'm here and then let us know what's happening. She's going to be fine, Deb. She's a fighter, like her mother."

"Her mother. Have you heard anything about Melanie?"

"Just what Brian told me on the way here. He got there after the explosion. The only thing he knew was that they'd gotten Jenny Rebecca out of the car. So far no one can tell me anything about Melanie or if they got her out in time."

"We just have to keep praying, Lindsay. Praying for both JR and Mel."

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Brian burst through the door just as the doctors did and Justin ran for him. They held onto one another tightly as they watched the doctors and nurses fight to save their little girl's life. After ten minutes, Maya was placed on a ventilator and was being carefully monitored once again. Thankfully she was still alive, but her condition was very touch and go, and could change for the worse at any moment.

The boys sat together on the small couch, holding hands and holding out hope that their daughter would live through the night.

Brian filled Justin in on the accident and called downstairs more than once to check on Michael's condition.

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Carl got the call from the precinct and met the doctor in his office. He was shocked when the doctor handed over the small plastic bag containing a business card.

The shock was overwhelming when he read the name on the card. He knew that the guys on the scene had determined that the brake lines had been cut intentionally on Ben's car. Carl wasn't sure that the evidence could be true, but all fingers pointed to the name on the card.

His alibi wasn't air tight and he did have plenty of motive for murder. But what he couldn't figure out was whether or not he'd known that Michael was taking Ben's car that morning.

Carl had no choice but to arrest him and take him in for questioning.

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After the conversation with Carl the doctor informed Ben that Michael's condition was critical but stable at the moment. He'd allowed him in to see him for just a few minutes and Ben tried to remain optimistic.

Carl found Debbie and let her know that Michael was out of surgery. He also had the unpleasant job of informing Lindsay that Melanie's remains had been found in the driver's seat of the car. He held her as she cried and tried to stay impartial since he was the investigating detective in a major murder case.

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Brian was standing over Maya's crib when Carl let himself into the room. Nodding to Justin, he pulled Brian aside to speak to him in private.

"I hate to do this now, but I really have no choice Brian. They found your business card at the scene of the accident and with the evidence stacking up against you, I've been backed into a corner."

"So you think I tried to kill my best friend." Brian's voice was quiet and stable, as if he'd already known that the inevitable was about to happen. "Can we at least do this somewhere other than in my daughter's hospital room?"

"I'm sorry, Brian." Carl placed the handcuffs on Brian's wrists and began to read him his rights.

"Brian? What the fuck is going on?"

"Don't worry, Sunshine, it's going to be okay."

"Why are you arresting him?"

"Don't, Justin. Just stay with Maya and do what has to be done. I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Damnit, Brian, what are you being arrested for?"

"Murder."

TBC...........

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