I watched out the car window as Lucas exited the police station. From the heaviness in his shoulders, I could tell that the news wasn't good.
But I had spent the last hour in the car trying to get myself to calm down and come to terms with it.
Well, as best as I could right now, anyway.
Lucas opened the driver's side door and slid into the seat. He turned to look at me. His eyes, usually warm and comforting, held a sadness that confirmed what I already knew. He didn't need to say a word; I could see it etched on his face.
My father was gone.
I took a deep breath, struggling to summon the tears that seemed to have abandoned me.
"Is it him?" I asked, my voice a fragile thread in the quiet of the car.
Lucas nodded solemnly, and the numbness that had cocooned me tightened its grip. The
