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waited for Cynthia to arrive, Casey was across town
    starting to get worried. She’d been in the shower when Craig popped his
    head in to say he was leaving. At least that’s what she thought he’d said, it
    was hard to tell with the water running. After reaching his voice mail
    throughout the day, Casey decided to watch television for a few hours that
    night. Around ten, she started dozing off and gave up waiting for Craig to
    stop by. Casey turned off the television and got up to get a glass of milk.
    In the kitchen, which was really part of the living room separated only by a
    half wall, she poured milk into a glass. Walking back into the living room,
    she sat down by a small window facing the front of her apartment. As Casey
    drank her milk, she listened to the steady sound of traffic below on Main
    Street. Casey tried Craig’s cell phone one more time before calling it a
    night. When she reached his voice mail again, she decided not to leave a
    message and went to bed.
    A police cruiser patrolling the neighborhood came down Main Street just
    as Casey went to bed. The squad car passed her apartment window and
    turned right at the corner of Chestnut. The officer cruising around spotted a
    parking spot up ahead across the street from the corner market. He slowed
    down to pull into that spot, and got out to buy a pack of cigarettes. The
    officer noticed a car with all the windows down parked halfway down the
    block. Curious, he walked over to this car, finding it odd for anyone in this
    neighborhood to leave their car windows down at night. He walked around
    the outside of the car and then peered inside. Checking the glove
    compartment he found a registration and insurance card. After a quick
    review of these papers, he walked back to his cruiser and called in the name
    on the registration. “This is 2141,” he said into the hand-held radio
    connected to his dash. “I need to check on a registration. Craig Simpson,
    date of birth…”

    32

CHAPTER

    FIVE

    Clay stood in the background, as the two sisters embraced. While Mrs.
    Simpson told her sister everything she knew about the shooting, he listened
    quietly, remembering that everyone in the family called her Vi. Suddenly,
    Cynthia realized he was in the room and turned to him. He was taken aback
    when she addressed him.
    “Clayton, thank you. Thank you for being here for Vi.”
    He nodded and, unexpectedly, found himself embraced tightly by this
    strange woman. He was equally surprised when he found himself returning
    her embrace with an intensity that stunned him. Usually he was distant with
    people, radiating to no one, least of all strangers. Yet here he was, totally out
    of character, comforting Cynthia Edwards, a woman he’d met a handful of
    times.
    When Cynthia asked Vi how she found out, Clayton stepped in, explaining
    for Mrs. Simpson what happened and sharing all the facts he’d gotten from
    his Captain about the robbery.
    “Our precinct pastor would normally advise the family, but I asked my
    Captain if I could do it.” Clearing his throat he continued, “I hope that was
    alright.”
    Vi Simpson immediately sought his large hand, enclosing it within her
    smaller one.
    “You were close to Craig and it must have been hard to come over here,”
    she told him. “I just want you to know I appreciate it.”
    Clay glanced down at their joined hands and felt the shock waves grab hold
    of him once more. This time he fought for control of his emotions and won.
    Suddenly it occurred to him, with all she was going through, Craig’s mom
    seemed to truly care about what he was feeling. The knowledge puzzled and
    humbled him all at the same time. Turning his hand slightly inside of hers, he
    linked their fingers together and tried to convey his appreciation.
    “Mrs. Simpson, I’m here for you, whatever you need me to do.”
    She squeezed his hand in response, closing her eyes against his statement,
    willing the tears to stop. In that moment, he couldn’t