Survivor In Death (In Death #20)(69)

Dyson sat at one of the round tables, her head bent close to Dave Rangle's. Both of them looked as if they'd seen much better days.

“Mrs. Dyson, Mr. Rangle. I appreciate you making the time to come in.”

Jenny Dyson sat up, sat straight. “I had planned to come today, before I got your message. I'd like to ask you first if there's any progress in the investigation.”

“We have what we believe may be a couple of good leads. We're pursuing them. In fact, Mr. Rangle--”

“Dave,” he told her.

“Dave, if I could speak to you for a few moments when we're done here, I'd appreciate it.”

“Of course.”

Eve took a seat. “Are you here as Mrs. Dyson's legal representative or as Mr. Swisher's partner?”

“Both. I'm aware, as you are, that Jenny and Matt were named as Coyle and Nixie's legal guardians should something happen to Grant and Keelie. I...” He shook his head. “How's she doing? How's Nixie doing? Do you know?”

“She's dealing. She's being counseled. She's safe.”

“If you could somehow communicate to her that she's in my thoughts. Mine and everyone at the office. We--” He broke off when Jenny laid a hand over his. “I'll get to that later. We're here at this time to discuss the guardianship.”

“We can't take her,” Jenny blurted out.

“For her own safety and security, as well as the security of this investigation, I'd be unable to turn her over to you at this time. However--”

“Ever.”

“I'm sorry. What?”

“Jenny.” Dave spoke to her gently, and when his gaze came back to

Eve's, it was full of sorrow and regret. “Jenny has asked me to represent her in dissolving the guardianship. She and Matt feel unable to fulfill the terms. I've agreed to begin the process, and will file in Family Court today.”

“She has no one.”

“My child is dead.” Jenny's breath rushed out, rushed in. “My baby is dead. My husband is devastated beyond any words I can use to tell you. We're burying her today, our Linnie, and I'm not sure he'll last through the service.”

“Mrs. Dyson.”

“No. No! You listen.”

Her voice peaked up in a way that had other cops in the room glancing over, weighing the situation.

“We can't take her. It wasn't supposed to happen. If there'd been an accident, we would step in, we'd have taken Nixie and Coyle.”

“But it was murder, so you won't?”

“Lieutenant,” Dave began, and was silenced again.

“Can't. We're not capable of this. My baby is dead.” She pressed both hands to her mouth. “We loved Keelie and Grant, those children. We were almost like family.”

“The bits and pieces of family Nixie Swisher have left show no interest in providing for her welfare,” Eve put in. “There was a reason you were named guardians.”

“Do you think I don't know that?” The words whipped out. “That I feel nothing for that child, even through my own grief? Part of me wants to go to her, take her in my arms, and hold onto her. In that part of me, my arms ache to hold her. But the other part can barely say her name. Can't bear the thought of seeing her, of touching her.”

Tears slid down her cheeks. “Part of me can't stop thinking it should have been her, and not my child. It should have been her we're burying today and not my Linnie. I may hate that part of myself, Lieutenant, but it's there.” She let out a shuddering breath. “It's always going to be there. I'll never be able to look at her without wondering why, without wishing. And my husband ... I think it would drive him mad.”

“Nothing that happened that night is her fault.”

“Oh, I know it. I know it. But I wonder how long, if I did what Keelie and Grant asked, it would take for me to have her blaming herself. I have to go.” She pushed to her feet. “My husband needs me.”

“Jenny, if you could give me a few minutes with the lieutenant.”

“Take all the time you need. I'll get myself home. I want to be alone right now. I just want to be by myself.”

“I don't know if she should be.” Dave made to rise as she hurried out.

“Hold on.” She took out her communicator, gave Dyson's name, the description, her current location, and requested a plainclothes team follow her to make sure she arrived home safely.

“She's a good person, Lieutenant. I know how this must seem to you, but it's costing her to walk away from this.”

“It should. Don't you Family Court suits stand for the rights of the child?”

“For the family--and for what's in the best interests. After talking with Jenny, after seeing Matt, I can't state that trying to hold them to their agreement is in Nixie's best interests.”

“You could hold off a few days, see if they change their mind.”

“I have to file the papers, at her request. But I can slow things down a little. And I will. But I can tell you, they won't change their minds. They're leaving the city after the funeral. They've already made arrangements to move upstate, with her family. Matt's been given a leave of absence, and she's closed her practice. It's . . .”