When the Music Ends (The Winter Rose Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF

she’s
in shock."
                "How
did you know it was…rape?" Such an ugly word, especially when
talking about someone you love. Sean looked like he wanted to vomit.
                "If
you had seen the blood running down her thighs..." Ellen lost control,
sobbed, and then visibly steeled herself to continue. "There was so much.
It must have been brutal. There’s no doubt what happened."
                "I’m
going to kill him."
                "No,
Sean." Her voice was hollow sounding, which matched the desolation on her
face. We’re not going to take an eye for an eye. We’re going to do
this legally. He’ll pay. She’s going to press charges."
                "Do
you understand what that means, Mom? There’s going to be a trial. Danny
will have to relive the whole thing again and again before he can be
punished." Sean shook his head. It was agonizing even to think about it.
                "I
know." Ellen began to cry even harder.
                Erin walked over to Mrs. Murphy and put her hand on the older woman’s arm.
                She
started, looked up.
                "Oh,
Erin. I’m so glad you’re here."
                "Of
course. Where else would I be?"
                Of
one accord Sean and Ellen opened their arms and drew Erin in, as though she were
a member of the family. They remained like that, holding each other, until the
police officer, a kind looking older woman, exited the room.
                She
looked at them for a long moment before saying, "You can go in now.
I’m finished. I’m so sorry." And they could see she was. No
matter how long one worked in law enforcement, some sights still retained the
power to appall.
                They
entered the room on weak legs. The curtain around the bed was open now. Sheridan’s shock had finally worn off and she was cuddled in her father’s arms
crying hysterically. He rubbed her back gently. His own eyes were very red, his
face wet.
                Hearing
the footsteps on the tile floor, Sheridan looked up. The entire left side of
her face was swollen and bruised with a deep cut in her cheek. Sean made a
strangled sound and stopped in his tracks. Erin was at the bed in a second,
scrambling up beside her friend, putting her arms around her.
                "Oh
God, Danny," she wept.
                Sheridan turned and hugged her. "Erin." Her voice was very weak, harsh from so
much crying. The girls clung to each other in misery. Now that the ice was
broken, Sean and his mother approached the bed, hugging Sheridan. No one knew
what to say, so they mostly just took turns holding her and crying.
                After
a couple of hours, a nurse came in and told them, gently, that they
couldn’t all stay. It was very late and the patient should try to rest.
She had a sleeping pill for Sheridan, which the girl accepted gratefully. Ellen
insisted on staying, of course, and so did Roger, but Sean offered to take Erin home.
                Before
leaving, Erin gave her friend a fierce hug and whispered, "I love you,
Danny. I’ll come back in the morning."
                Sheridan didn’t say anything, but her arms tightened around her friend.
                Then
Sean took Erin’s hand gently and led her away.
                Erin was still very weepy as they walked through the silent hospital, hand in hand. She
couldn’t really calm down. Tears kept streaming over her cheeks. Outside,
by the Mustang, Sean pulled her close.
                "Oh
Sean, what are we going to do?"
                "I
don’t know. Poor Danny. I can’t believe it." Both were
drowning in a flood of agonized disbelief. They huddled together, trying to
block out the cold October wind, and the horrible memories of what they had
just seen.
     
                She
squeezed him