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The other officer gestured toward the house. “Why don’t we go inside?”
“No.” My legs refused to cooperate. “I need to know.”
The female officer touched my shoulder. I flinched back. “Kennedy, you should make yourself comfortable. Are your siblings home?”
“I think so, but I’ll need to check.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “Let’s go in and you can gather the others.”
I didn’t want to. I wanted to kick the police off the property so I didn’t have to hear what they had to say. But clapping my hands over my ears wouldn’t make whatever news they planned to share go away. It would only buy me a little time to be in denial.
“After you.” She indicated for me to lead the way.
My legs barely functioned correctly as I walked across the parking area, up the stairs, and then tested the handle. The door was locked, which must mean Mom and Malcolm were still out. They’d left me in charge, and I’d delegated to Blair when I had to run an errand. Blair might have an attitude problem, but he was careful about keeping our younger siblings safe.
I slotted my key into the lock and entered, automatically removing my shoes and lining them up beside the others. To my surprise, both officers did the same. I gestured through a door to the left.
“That’s the living room. I’ll get the others and be with you soon. Can I bring you a cup of coffee?” Anything to delay the inevitable.
“No, thank you,” the male officer said.
I jogged up the stairs to the first floor where the bedrooms were and knocked on each door. “Come on, kids. We’ve got guests.”
Blair emerged first, his guitar tucked under his arm. “Everything’s fine,” he said a little sullenly. “I’ve been checking up on them.”
Mina’s head popped through another doorway. “Do I have to come?” she whined. “My book is in a really good spot.”
“The police are downstairs,” I told her, watching her eyes light with interest. My half sister was obsessed with the criminal justice system. She was always reading mystery books meant for older kids.
“The police?” Jamie and Joel chorused in tandem, bouncing out from the den, both wearing pajamas even though it was midday. “Are they here to arrest someone?”
God, I hoped not.
“I don’t know, Jamie. Why don’t we go down and ask them?”
“Okay!” He raced down the stairs with Joel at his heels.
“Careful, boys,” I called. One of these days, they were going to trip and injure themselves.
Mina stepped out of her room and followed them at a more measured pace.
“You sure you have no idea what this is about?” I asked Blair quietly.
“What? You think I’ve been breaking the law?” He sounded offended. “I’m a misunderstood musician, not a thug.”
I held my hands up in a gesture of peace, but I couldn’t help wondering… if it wasn’t that, and nothing had happened to the kids, then what had brought them here? An icy shiver ran down my spine. I didn’t think I wanted to know the answer.
I dropped by the kitchen to collect Ingrid, who kept the house tidy and the children fed when Mom wasn’t here. We gathered in the living room.
“Please, sit,” the female officer said.
I sank onto the edge of the sofa, wishing the boys were still young enough that they’d climb onto my knee for cuddles. I could use the physical comfort. Unfortunately, they’d decided that eight was too old for snuggles.
“I’m Officer Rush, and this is Officer Needham.” The woman took a deep breath, and I dug my fingertips into my palms, using the tiny pricks of pain to ground myself. “I’m very sorry to have to tell you this, but a little over an hour ago, your parents were involved in an accident. They passed away before they could be taken to hospital.”
“No,” I gasped. It wasn’t possible. I’d seen Mom and Malcolm only this morning, and they’d been in perfect health, laughing and joking as they prepared for the day.
“You’re lying,” Blair spat, lunging to his feet.
