Come Fly With Me Read Free Page B

but he seemed restless, and that’s why he went back out for a drive at that hour in the pouring rain.”
    Allison watched the exchange intently. She’d seen enough police dramas on TV to know that the police always suspected those closest to the victim first. Their questions sounded routine but she was on guard. She could not let this continue.
    “Excuse me, gentlemen,” she chimed in. “I’m just wondering why you think this might warrant a criminal investigation? It sounds like my father missed his turn and then lost control of his car in the storm.”
    “Ms. Ross, your father’s car ended up at the bottom of an embankment behind a house that runs along the Hudson River on 9W, as you know." He unbuttoned his jacket as he continued. "The new owners had not moved in yet and had placed barriers along the road to prevent just such an accident occurring from the mud run-off while their home and driveway were under construction. That barricade had recently been dragged off, and the streetlight over the property was out. It is possible that all these circumstances will add up to coincidence, but when the CEO of a large privately-owned company meets an untimely demise on a road that he’s very familiar with—alarm bells go off.”
    “Thank you Detectives, I hope that this all turns out to be an unfortunate accident. I shudder to think of any other outcome.” Vivienne's hand shook slightly as she drew her fall jacket a bit tighter around her waist.
    “Well, ladies,” the men rose to signal the close of the meeting. “If you think of anything, even seemingly insignificant, don’t hesitate to contact us.” Detective Notis handed over his card and they nodded their good-byes.
    Allison looked at her mother, “And here I was just thinking this week couldn’t get any worse.” They walked toward the parking lot and got into the car. Allison turned on the ignition and her mother's hand shot out to stop her.
    "Alli..." she began as her voice broke. Her eyes filled with unshed tears. "I'm holding it together by a thread, but those detectives and the things they're implying..."
    "Who said you have to hold it together? Not for my sake, don't. Let it out. Scream, cry, whatever it takes," she finished softly."You've been so composed, way too composed. It isn't healthy."
    She shook her head, "No, not here, not now, in a parking lot in front of everybody."
    "There's no one here. Just you and me. It's just you and me and Jeremy, now."
    She paused as her mother gasped out a few large sobs as she gripped her folded arms tightly and rocked back and forth for a while. "I'm ...its okay, let's go home."
    "If you're sure."
    Her mother nodded her assent, and she pulled out of the lot. "But we still need to talk about the cottage," Allison added.
    "Okay, I can do that. It's good; I can refocus on that," she nodded. "You have to deal with what went on there in order to move forward."
    "I have moved forward. I have a successful business; I'm living in the here and now. The past is long gone; I will not deal with stupid childhood memories."
    "...that you carry around with you every day."
    "Not true. Not true at all."
    "Allison."
    "Sorry, sell the damn cottage, burn it, I don't give a flying f..." she stopped herself. Getting angry with her mother was not going to solve anything and her mother was very vulnerable right now. They both were. She was happy to pull into the driveway a few minutes later before she might say anything truly hurtful. She shot out of the car and slammed her door, taking out her frustration on it instead.
    Carol was sitting on the sofa looking at old photo albums. She jumped up in concern as Allison came storming in. “What happened?” she asked.
    “I’m going up to pack,” Allison responded.
    Carol turned toward her older sister, “Vivienne?”
    “At what point did I allow myself to become a personal punching bag for my children?” Vivienne said.
    Her soft voice floated and followed Allison up the stairs,