Getting There: How I Learned to Love Dragons And Crazy, Talking Cats

It was a terrible day at school on Friday. News vans and reporters invaded the campus. Security tried to keep them out, but every so often the kids were pounced upon as they walked outside or headed to classes.

Andi was exhausted from evading the reporters and students all wanting to know about Scott. She also spent most of last night defending Scott’s innocence to her parents and sister Brook. Mattie slept through it all. The ice cream chat with Dad had helped somewhat, yet she felt as if she couldn’t divulge all that had happened to her this week. She never talked about Ain-u-tep. Dad probably wouldn’t believe her anyway.

This morning however, the local newspaper had a story about Scott’s murdered parents. Scott was the only suspect so far, even though he claimed his innocence.

Then this morning, she was called to the principal’s office where two police officers and a detective were waiting for her. She stalled in answering questions, saying she had seen enough police dramas, she was an under-age juvenile and should only be questioned in the presence of her parents or an attorney. The principal agreed. She waited in the office watching the three men pacing and texting on their phones until Dad showed up. At least they took her seriously. She was glad she thought of it, since she was a fan of so many cop shows like NYPD Blue, Hawaii 5-0, NCIS, and others. Somehow, she knew Scott was innocent.

Rick Fallon raced in looking like a harried hen, his usually neat hair in a mess, and his tie askew. He rushed to Andi, crushing her to him. “Are you okay, baby?”

“I am, but glad you are here. Where’s Mom?”

“I came instead.” He whispered, “You know she is not good in a crisis. And I was pre-law in college before I chose computer sciences for my Master.” He said, smoothing his hair and then straightened his tie.

Andi smiled at her father, knowing how proud he was that he was a highly-educated dude. “They are asking about Scott and where he was last night. I thought you could also be a witness. I didn’t want to do it alone.”

He squeezed her tight. “Nor should you be alone. They would be in trouble.” He glanced up at the officers, “Can we go somewhere private for the interview?” He frowned at the lookie-loos gawking at them through the office windows. The secretary let them have a conference room.

The detective after introducing himself and the officers and getting pertinent information then began his questions.

“How do you know Scott Bays, Miss Fallon?”

“Can you call me Andi? I’ve known him and his family since second grade. He wouldn’t hurt or kill them.” She gnawed on a ragged thumbnail.

“We didn’t say he killed them. But he is a suspect.”

“He couldn’t have killed them. He met me at the Promenade Mall last night about 8:30, actually a bit later.”

“Did he seem agitated or—”

“He was devastated when told me about his parents fighting and that his father was drunk and so Scott stopped the fight.”

“How did he stop it?”

“He wrestled and clobbered his Dad. He thought he broke his nose. But his Dad hurt him too. Did you see the big gash on his face?”

The detective glanced at his black notebook, “That does match the coroner’s report, the victim had bruised ribs, a cut to a cheek and a broken nose. Not to mention the gunshot wounds. Do you know if Scott had a gun?”

“No way! The Bays don’t believe in guns. Heck, they are usually pacifist hippies, they go to Grateful Dead concerts. They’re all Peace and Love, Man.” She let out a choked sob, “His mom runs a yoga clinic, they eat gobs of health food, she’s a vegan. Scott isn’t but still, it doesn’t mean he killed them.”

Rick put a hand on Andi’s arm and said with authority, “Yes, that is all true. We’ve known the Bays for a long time. They used to go our church, the kids all played together. I don’t think Scott could do anything so heinous.”

“Heinous?” The detective chuckled. “Thank you, Mr. Fallon.” He turned back to Andi. “So, what did you and Scott do last night, after he talked with you?”

“We went to my house. He was afraid to go home—”

“Why afraid?”

“He didn’t want another fight with his Dad, you know?” Andi hesitated, then blurted, “Mr. Bays, Dale, Scott’s dad, was drunk and was beating Jillian, Scott’s mom. That’s why Scott hit his dad. But then he said, Jillian told him to get out, because she was calling the cops.”

The detective argued, “Why was she calling them? Per the 9-1-1 report, and Scott’s testimony, he called the police, saying there was a fight at his home. That was at seven-twenty.”

Andi looked up at the men about her. “If you killed someone, would you call the cops?”

“Maybe if I wanted to deflect the suspicion from myself, hm?” The detective replied flatly.

Rick interrupted, “This is all hearsay. Andi wasn’t there when it happened. She only knows what Scott told her. We are not true witnesses you know.”

“When did you leave the mall?”

Andi stated, “About 8:55. I remember, because I looked at the clock in the food court as we were leaving. I was afraid, we would get locked in the mall, it was closing soon.”

“You seem rather glib, with all the answers, Miss Fallon. Are you sure you weren’t involved?”

“Hey, that is wrong!” Rick put out a hand, patting her arm. “Andi, don’t say anything more. Look, Detective, we are innocent, here. We were only trying to help Scott. He called Andi last night to meet her at the mall. He felt he had no one to turn to, since his parents were fighting. So,” he ran out of steam then added, “so, you just look for someone else who might have killed the Bays, not Andi or Scott.”

“Just one more question. Andi, what time did Scott call you last night?”

“Hm, maybe around seven-thirty or forty.”

“Did you recognize the phone number? Was it his?”

Andi shook her head. “Not really, I didn’t even know it was him, at first.”

“And you say you met him at the mall at what …”

“Eight-thirty, well, that’s when I got there. He showed up about eight-forty-five.”

“Where did you go after that?”

“We went into the janitor’s closet, because he didn’t want anyone to hear us.”

One officer snickered, but stopped when Andi glared at him. “He only wanted to tell me what happened.”

“Why do you think he was so late in meeting you? According to the coroner, the Bays were killed between eight and eight-thirty. But Scott said he left home right after the emergency call. Is that true?”

“I don’t know.” Andi was thoughtful, “Oh, when he came he had a cinnamon bun for me, it was still hot. So, he had just gotten it. You know that place is always crowded, so I think that is why he was late. He knows it’s my favorite.” She smiled up at the officer, “He is actually sometimes thoughtful. He can be very caring.”

“Hm. Well, most of what you say corroborates with his testimony. So … you can go for now. If you think of anything else that is pertinent to the case, call me.” He passed over his card.

“I will, Detective Lopez.” Andi nodded. “What happens to Scott now? I know he’s innocent.”

“Did he happen to say why he vandalized the house?”

Andi gasped, “No way. No, he did not. You see? He didn’t do it!”

“Well, we shall see after we get all the forensics and prints in. Thanks for your time, Miss Fallon. Mr. Fallon.” The detective said curtly.

Rick let out a held breath as the men left. He put his head in his hand sighing. “Man, that was awful.”

“How do you think Scott feels? I know he didn’t kill them. He didn’t have time.” She burst into tears, “Who would kill them? They were nice people.”

“Evidently, somebody didn’t think so. Do you think they might have killed each other? They were always so lovey-dovey and touchy-touchy, maybe they offed themselves in a lover’s suicide pact.”

Andi shaking her head, stood, “I don’t know Dad. But I think they were in trouble. Scott said Jillian was drinking a lot lately, and they were fighting all the time. Dale got fired from a new job earlier this week. So, who knows what really happened.” She swiped her sleeve across her face, “I just cannot imagine how Scott is feeling now.”

Rick nodded. “I know how I felt when my Dad died, Mom was so alone. We just sort of fell apart.”

Andi put her arm through his. “You helped Grandma get over it. She’s remarried now. So, you shouldn’t have any regrets, right?”

“Yeah. Hey, who is the parent here? Me or You?” Chuckling, he ushered Andi to the hallway. He put his arms around hugging her close. “Have I told you lately how wonderful a girl you are?” He saw her weak response. “You are smart. I am proud how cool you were in there just now.”

Andi held up her chewed thumbnail, “Ha, I almost chewed this to the quick! I almost peed my pants, too.”

“Well, you were outstanding. Honey, I know I messed up on your birthday. And this week, there has been so much going on with you. You always seem so far away. I miss you.”

“I miss you too, Dad.”

“What do you say, you play hooky for the rest of the day? Come to work with me and you can goof around with some of the new games. I could use a smart kid like you.”

“You still owe me a game, anyway.” Andi nodded. “Okay, Dad. But can we find out about Scott first? If they let him go, maybe he could stay with us. Can he?”

“If the cops will let him, sure.” He pulled her along under his arm. “First, let’s go to your locker and get your homework if you have any. You can use my laptop at the office.”

“You know Mom is going to be bananas, when she hears I played hooky.”

“I’m a big guy, let me handle her.”

“Right. Dad, I love you. Thanks for coming today.”

Rick’s eyes teared, “That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me in a long time, Andrea.”

“Well, I think these are the longest conversations we’ve had in years, Dad, let alone this week. You always have your nose in your I-Pad or your head plugged into something, you rarely pay attention to us.”

“Guilty as charged.” Rick smiled as he watched Andi remove some books and stuff them in her backpack. “You have a very neat locker. Mine was always a jumble. Your mom always said it smelled like cabbage.”

“Yeah, I remember the story. Grandma used to pack corned beef and cabbage for your lunch.”

“What a memory!” Rick hustled his daughter toward the exit. “What do you say we go to the Irish Tavern for a hot corned beef sandwich?”

“Dad, I’m a vegan,”

“Oh right. I’ll be the carnivore and you can have a bubble and squeak casserole.”

“You’re on.”

Andi looked back at the library wondering if the cat was lurking about. Disappointed, she grabbed her father’s arm and clung tightly to him, hoping she was ready for the new challenges ahead.