Her phone rang and she picked it up. “Hello?” Her voice sounded faraway.
“Fallon? What’s happened?” Diablo said.
“I found out my mother is dead,” she said. It felt like she was out of her body, watching herself sitting at the kitchen counter talking with Diablo.None of this feels real.
“Fuck! I’m so sorry, sweet pea. I’m coming over now. This must be hard for you.”
“She was murdered. She never left me. She was taken from me. Why would someone want to do that?”
“You’re not making sense, sweet pea. No matter. I’m on my way.”
She put the phone down and continued staring until Diablo came in. He rushed over to her and hugged her. After a while, she was able to tell him what had happened. She showed him the article in the paper and the photograph she found of her mother with the locket.
Then she broke down and cried. The thought of her mother dying on the cold ground in the middle of nowhere haunted her, and she knew that thought would forever be part of the fabric of her mind. Diablo stroked her hair as she had her meltdown. He didn’t offer platitudes or cheerful sayings—he was just there. And that’s exactly what she needed.
As the blue sky began to turn amethyst and cranberry, Fallon drew away from Diablo and smiled weakly. “Thanks for just being here for me.”
“Of course. You’re my heart, sweet pea. When you’re in pain, I am too.”
“You’re the best. I have this urge to call my dad. I guess I just need to talk to someone who knew her and loved her too.”
He nodded. “I can see that. You should call him. It’ll be good for you.”
She went into her bedroom for privacy and plugged in her dad’s number. When he answered, she almost hung up. “Hi, Dad,” she said meekly.
“It’s about time I heard from you. Why the fuck have you been ignoring me? And why the hell did you move out?”
“Dad, I didn’t call for that.”
“And you moved in with that biker scum. Fuck, Fallon. Didn’t I raise you better? Do you think your mom would’ve wanted you to end up with a low-life biker? I can tell you no fucking way she would’ve wanted that.”
“I didn’t call to argue. I called because I have some real disturbing news to share with you about Mom.”
“What is it?” he asked in a low voice.
“The cops found her body… or at least what’s left of it. She was murdered, Dad. The detective said she died from a blow to the head.”
Total silence. Thinking she’d lost the connection, she glanced at her screen. Her dad was still connected.
“Dad? I know it’s a shock. I’m still reeling from it.”
“Are they sure it’s her?”
“Pretty much, especially since they found the locket with my picture in it near her. I can’t believe someone killed Mom.” Her voice hitched.
“Where was she found?”
“Bison Peak. Remember how Mom used to love to go hiking there?”
“Vaguely.”
“I still can’t believe it.”
“When will the cops be talking to you?” he asked.
“Tomorrow.”
“No reason to tell them about our fights. You know how innocent people get railroaded when they want to solve a case.”
