He went back to the bedroom and told Carolyn about the plans for the next day. Little by little Carolyn was starting to accept that this had really happened and knew that the only thing to do was to help with the plans however she could. She couldn’t bear the thought of going through this, but she was going to be strong for her friend. She didn’t know how she felt about Danny, however. It was too early and there were just too many unanswered questions.

When Carolyn came downstairs her mother offered her the cup of coffee she never got that morning, and they sat in the kitchen in silence. Joe had come over while Mitch was upstairs.

Mitch stepped outside the kitchen door into the breezeway and dialed Tom Schroeder.

When he picked up, Mitch introduced himself and explained how close they were to the Turner family. Tom reminded Mitch they had met once at Danny and Rachel’s place, at a Christmas party.

“Mitch,” Tom said, “you guys should know that Danny and Rachel talked about what good friends you all were, and how much they missed being near you. Danny mentioned to me that you were sort of like another big brother to him.”

Mitch didn’t quite know what to say. He was like a big brother to a man who had just killed his wife and child. He didn’t feel like a very good friend at that moment, so he changed the subject.

“Tom, I understand that someone from the Akron police department is going to be at your house tomorrow. Is that right?”

“Yeah, I know the homicide detective on the case, and he agreed to talk with the family and a few close friends for a few minutes and answer any questions we might have. You wouldn’t believe how many TV trucks and reporters have shown up. Everyone thought it was best not to make the family walk in and out of the police station.”

Mitch thought it was unusual that the police would do this, particularly so soon after the crime. But he had a million questions, and his nature was to pursue things until he thoroughly understood them, so, as much as he dreaded the meeting, he was grateful that he and Carolyn were asked to attend. He was relieved Tom did not choose to go into the details of his discovery that morning. Obviously this was a subject no one wanted to go near.

He jotted down all of the pertinent information, got the directions, thanked Tom, and said he would see him at two the next afternoon. It was a relief to talk about something like directions, rather than the reason for the call.