The Ravine by Robert Pascuzzi Page B

screamed, “Danny, you rotten coward, how could you? What would make you do something so horrible? Why? Why? Why? Oh Lord, why do you allow such misery to happen in our world?” He felt crazed and carried on like that for the rest of the drive home, but composed himself as he pulled into his driveway. He would be no help to anyone if he was out of control.
    When Mitch entered the house, he hugged Rosemary, and she told him Carolyn was upstairs lying down.
    “How is she?”
    Rosemary shook her head and said, “Not good.” She was very worried about her daughter.
    When Mitch walked into the room, Carolyn gazed at him with a look of utter disbelief. They simply held each other and cried.
    Finally, Mitch got up and said he would call—whom? Not Tony, given the circumstances. Rachel’s mother and father were gone. He would call Maryann—she would know about the arrangements. Maryann had now moved out, but had been legally adopted by Rachel and Danny; so, in essence, they were her parents and Evan and Christopher were her brothers.
    “Do you know if we have her number, honey?”
    Carolyn shook her head and said, “It’s in the address book downstairs.”
    Mitch reached Maryann and learned that the funeral service would be in three days, and that there would not be a wake. “I don’t think anyone could bear it, Mitch.”
    She suggested that he contact Tom Schroeder, the man who worked for Tony and was friends with Danny, and who first discovered the murders. She believed he knew someone in the police department who was planning to sit down with her and a few other close friends at Tom’s house tomorrow afternoon.
    “I know Rachel would want you guys to be there,” she said. “I’ll see you then.” Maryann gave him the number, but her monotone made it obvious she was as stunned as everyone else.
    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