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As they entered the warm, inviting home, Morgan couldn't help but be struck by the contrast between this cozy environment and the cold, sterile world of law enforcement that she inhabited. Every detail – from the family photos on the wall to the soft scent of vanilla candles – spoke of love and stability, things that Morgan had learned to live without.
The living room held a warm, comforting atmosphere, the soft glow of lamps casting a gentle light over the space. Francine gestured toward a polished wooden tray adorned with teacups and a steaming pot. "Would you like some tea?" she asked, her voice wavering.
Morgan and Derik exchanged a glance before shaking their heads in unison. "No, thank you," Morgan replied, her voice gentle but firm. "We won't be staying long."
"Please, have a seat," Francine urged, motioning to the plush couch adorned with colorful throw pillows. As they settled into the cushions, she took her place across from them in a matching armchair. She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, her tear-streaked face reflecting the pain she was trying to hold back. "I'm sorry for crying so much," she apologized, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"Please don't apologize," Derik said, his tone soft and empathetic. "We're so sorry for your loss, Francine."
"Thank you," she murmured, her fingers fidgeting with the tissue in her lap.
"Steven must have meant a great deal to you," Morgan observed, studying the woman's sorrowful expression.
"More than words can say," Francine replied, her voice thick with emotion. "He was such a good man. He was working so hard to provide for us, especially with our baby on the way."
"Steven worked for Robert Tuck, correct?" Morgan asked, her mind already turning over potential leads.
"Yes, on his farm," Francine confirmed, nodding slowly. "He offered Steven the job, but he refused to put him on record."
"Did you know that he was working under the table?" Morgan probed, watching for any signs of deception.
Francine hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I knew," she admitted, her gaze dropping to the floor. "But Steven needed the money, and he didn't have many other options."
Morgan could sense the deep regret in Francine's voice, the unspoken wish that things had been different for her and her husband. As they continued their conversation, Morgan knew that unraveling the truth was more important than ever – for Steven, for Francine, and for the family they'd never have the chance to become.
"Steven had been trying to get Robert to put him on the books," Francine continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "He wanted higher pay, especially with our baby coming soon. Robert was even behind on paying Steven for some overtime he’d done."
Morgan and Derik exchanged a knowing glance, the same thought crossing both their minds. If Robert didn't want to pay Steven what he was owed, perhaps he'd taken drastic measures. But how would that explain Melissa's murder? Morgan frowned, aware that there were still many unanswered questions.
"Did Steven have any other issues with Robert, aside from the issues of payment?" Morgan asked, her gaze fixed on Francine.
"Not really," Francine replied, shaking her head. "But I always found Robert... off-putting. He's an angry man. I'd heard rumors that he used to beat his wife before she left him."
Morgan could see the concern in Francine's eyes, the fear that her husband had been working for someone so volatile. She sensed Francine's guilt at not having done more to protect Steven from the dangerous situation he'd found himself in.
Morgan placed a hand on Francine's knee, offering her a small measure of comfort. "You couldn't have known, Francine," she said softly. "Sometimes, people like Robert are very good at hiding their true selves."
"I just wish I had done something," Francine whispered, tears welling up in her eyes once again. "Maybe if I had spoken up sooner, Steven would still be alive."
Morgan felt a pang of sympathy for Francine as she struggled with guilt and grief. She understood all too well the weight of regret that could accompany such tragic events. But dwelling on the past wouldn't bring Steven back; finding justice was the only way to honor his memory.
"We're going to do everything we can to find out what happened to Steven and bring whoever is responsible to justice," Derik assured Francine, his voice filled with determination.
"I just wish I'd stopped him from taking that job," Francine admitted, her voice thick.
Morgan could feel the weight of Francine's sadness, the grief she held for her husband and the life they could have had. She knew that so much of this case revolved around the choices people made and the consequences that followed. But as she looked at Francine, Morgan couldn't help but wonder if sometimes, life dealt people a hand they could never hope to win.
"You couldn't have known what would happen," Derik said, breaking into Morgan's thoughts. "You thought you were doing what was best for your family."
Francine nodded, her body trembling slightly with a deep, emotional pain. "I know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Francine's eyes met Morgan’s, and Morgan could see the flicker of hope in them. Hope for justice, for closure, for something to hold onto in the midst of the chaos that had become her life.
"Thank you," Francine said, her voice hoarse with emotion. Morgan nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of responsibility. "We'll do everything we can," she promised, before turning to leave.
As they walked back to the car, Morgan's mind raced with the possibilities.
Robert Tuck was clearly capable of violence, and with the secrets surrounding Steven's employment, there was no telling what he might be hiding.
***
