When she rose, Dylan turned her and she collapsed against him and sobbed. Quiet sobs that were dredged from deep inside.

She cried as they took Joanie away, and continued as Dylan urged her from the room and they walked back to the office of Lieutenant Heath.

“You want me to get her a coffee?”

“Please, and add a couple of sugars,” Dylan said, lowering Piper into a chair. He dropped down before her as the lieutenant left the room.

“Piper.” She looked up at him. The pain in her eyes ran deep. “Do you remember the last time you saw Joanie?”

She nodded.

“Hold on to that, baby. Remember her as that person, not the one you saw today.”

“I-I’ll try.”

He pulled her in for another hug and she held on to him until Lieutenant Heath arrived with her coffee.

“You drink all this now; it’ll help steady you.”

She nodded and took the cup Dylan handed her. He took his and sat beside her.

Unlike Piper, Dylan was thinking straight and he knew that from this day on her life would change beyond recognition. The impact of her friend’s death would not only be about grieving, there was now a child to consider. A child she was guardian to.

“Miss Trainer, Miss Prentice’s daughter, Grace, has arrived in the building. I understand you are her legal guardian?”

Piper nodded, drinking more of the coffee, then placed it on the desk before her and straightened in her seat.

“Do you have a bathroom I could use? I want to wash my face before Grace sees me. I don’t want to scare her.”

“Of course.” He gave her directions.

Piper left, and then it was just Dylan and the lieutenant.

“I’m sure you’ve checked, but is she the only one left for that child?” Dylan asked.

The man sighed, then fell back in his chair.

“Yes, and a letter stating she was the child’s legal guardian in the event of Miss Prentice’s death was found in the bag with the child’s things. And as I said before, there is also a letter addressed to Miss Trainer.”

Dylan got to his feet and paced around the small room. She wasn’t his concern. He’d only met Piper a few weeks ago, and yet here he was right in the middle of something that he’d normally run from. If he was honest, the door looked pretty good about now. But he wouldn’t do that... couldn’t do that to Piper. She needed his support, if only until her family could reach her.

“The social worker will bring the child and check things over, then forms will need to be signed and they’ll have to also do a home visit to check the circumstances of Miss Trainer’s situation are agreeable.”