No news. Silence. The police had given him nothing since they had questioned him. Sam hadn't been arrested so it seemed clear that their interest in him had gone but the fact there was nothing else going on frustrated Sam no end. He wanted the killer caught. He wanted the person who ended Brooklyn's life to face justice. Sam wanted to look the person in the eye and ask them why. - Why were you driving so recklessly? - Why didn't you stop? - Why did you end the life of a Mother? Sam had called on Chad and asked for some help. "Chad, can you come with me to the station? I feel that they aren't looking for Brooklyn's killer. I think they'll brush me off if I go alone. I'm not good with cops. I'm worried I'll lose my temper and make things worse." Chad was a stand-up guy. On the other end of the phone he listened to Sam's request for help. He felt privileged that Sam felt he could ask for help. He thought Sam was holding up well under the circumstances and shuddered every time he thought of Brooklyn. He'd be as lost as Sam if anything happened to Ella. "Sure I'll come over Sam. Why don't I bring Ella over? She can look after Louis for you for an hour or two. She misses the little fella, it'll be good for her." Sam was thankful for Chad's help. He was beginning to be become a dependable friend and really an advocate for him when he had to deal with the police. [hr] The following day Chad and Ella had cleared their diaries and visited Sam. Ella's face was sad when she entered Sam and Brooklyn's home. She'd lost her best friend too and Sam had been too wrapped in his own grief to consider other people's suffering. "How are you doing Sam?" Ella asked softly, her hand delicately resting on Sam's forearm. "I'm okay," Sam said, his eyes moistening a little. He felt bad. He had a sense that somehow he blamed Ella. If Brooklyn hadn't gone over to her house that night she'd still be alive. It was ridiculous of course and Sam never said anything, but nevertheless he couldn't really face Ella. What Sam didn't know was Ella too felt irrational guilt for something completely out of her control. Ella was an attractive, fun loving woman. She was Brooklyn's best friend growing up but the three of them had been a trio really and there was room enough for all of them in their relationship. Something had left Ella too, it was like the lights had been dimmed. Something had gone from her that perhaps would never come back. "I miss her too," replied Ella before breaking eye contact with Sam. She saw Louis playing and that gentle lilt in her voice raised a little, "Hey big man!" she said picking up the boy, "are you going to have some fun times with your Auntie Ella today?" Ella gave Louis a little kiss and settled to spoil attention on Brooklyn's little boy. [hr] As they drove over to the police station Chad spoke to Sam of how he was getting on and how Ella was feeling. "You know, she's not doing okay really. I'm hoping an afternoon with Louis will do her good. I know I sound selfish Sam, but I was relieved when you called. I know you've got your Mom and I know you won't want Louis out of your sight at the moment but if you ever need a baby-sitter for a few hours, call on Ella, it'll help her." Sam nodded. "I will Chad. I'll see what I can do," Sam said. Sam was dealing with things himself and didn't really want to see Ella that much. She was a part of their triangle. Every time he saw her he'd just know that Brooklyn wasn't there. In fact he couldn't remember a time he had spent time with Ella alone - Brooklyn was always there. At the police station Sam visited the lead officer responsible for the case. Officer Collins was the man who broke the news to Sam of Brooklyn's death. He was the officer who interrogated Sam too. He was working when Sam and Chad entered the station. His heart sank. He didn't really have to tell the men anything at this stage. They were no closer to making an arrest and technically Sam was still a suspect. Deep down Collins thought the crash was an accident. Probably some drunk. Yes, it was still a crime and a serious one but he doubted there was malice in it. The driver either didn't know what they'd done or just panicked and drove off. There was a lead on the vehicle but not much to go on... Laurence Collins poured some coffee for the two men and made himself a cup as they sat in the office. "I'm telling you this because I think you should know. We've a lead, a small one and I don't want you to get your hopes up." Officer Collins took a deep breath, "So, about a mile down the road we found some residue that indicated [I] perhaps [/I] someone accelerated quickly. That's not unusual. Kids like driving fast on that road out of town. The snow and rain that night removed anything conclusively. I think we're looking at kids playing chicken or some drunk. I know it's not easy to accept, that some reckless scumbag has done this, but it's likely not malicious." "We've also found a fragment of the bullbar that hit your fiancée's car. We've analysed the chrome plating and powder finish. We [I] think [/I] we've isolated the part. We find the vehicle with a bent bar of that type and we may have a clear lead. There are also olive green paint fragments and shards of a headlight that don't fit Miss. Jones' car. We find that car we find the culprit." "The killer." Sam said firmly. "Mr. Hanson, Sir. I have to tell you that right now we're looking at a 'Death by Dangerous Driving' charge. The culprit will likely go to jail for a long time." "An eye for an eye. A life for a life." Sam said looking directly at the officer. "Sam, just listen to the officer..." said Chad quietly interjecting to settle the situation. "I understand you Mr. Hanson, but this is an accident. The culprit was driving too fast, they may have been drinking. They may not have even noticed. Feeling that it was malicious won't help you Mr. Hanson. We'll find them and they'll face justice and they'll have to look at you, your son and Miss. Jones' family and face what they'd done." Officer Collins was sympathetic but even at this stage the chance of an arrest was remote, and getting more remote with each passing day. Remembering that horrible shriek of Brooklyn in his head Sam stood, a little agitated. "But what if it [I]WASN'T [/I] an accident!" as Chad and the officer tried to ease Sam. [hr] [I] 85 miles North-east of the sleepy town where our lover's hearts were broken a Mountie stops by a roadside leading out of a valley, surrounded by cliffs blanketed by snow capped tall evergreen pines. She pauses spotting a road traffic accident and a vehicle in a ditch. She descends down the hill and notices something rather obvious. The vehicle has been torched. She looks over the wreck, looking for anyone needing help, but most likely remains. Not much is apparent but she can tell it was a pick-up truck once and if forensics get lucky they'll find the owner. The truck was probably stolen by kids. Not to far from the wreckage, she spots some old papers, maybe acquired to get the fire going. She kicks them with her boot and sees some receipts. In the middle of them is a store card for a popular supermarket. She peers down and see's a name. 'Looks like we've got who torched this' she smiles to herself. She takes a photo of the scene and writes a name in her book before calling it in. 'Mr. Samuel Hanson' [/I]