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“Of course,” Tad said, before I could even finish my sentence. “If you have time, bring her in. I’d like to meet her.”

“Will do,” I said. “We’re meeting for dinner.” I let out a sigh. “Okay, so what’s on the agenda today? Is Wren coming in?”

Tad shook his head. “Walter had a really bad spell this weekend. She called me last night and said she might not—” He stopped as his phone rang. “Speak of the devil…” He answered. “Hey Wren, how are things?—”

Seconds later, Tad’s face drained of color and he let out a soft sigh. “Of course. I’ll tell the others. If there’s anything we can do—anything at all… Right. I’m so sorry, Wren. I’m here, and so are the others… All right. If you need anything, I’m here.”

My stomach knotted. I’d heard that speech before, from other people, when my mother and father were killed in a car crash. As Tad set his phone on the table and looked up, I caught his gaze. I knew immediately what had happened.

“Walter’s gone?”

Tad nodded. “He died this morning.”

I hung my head, and so did the others. Wren’s husband Walter had developed multiple sclerosis, and the disease had advanced far too quickly.

He’d tried experimental therapy and everything they could dig up that might help, but it ran through him, rampant.

There had been a couple periods where he’d gone into a slight remission, but each time it came back with a vengeance, and now, he was gone.

Just like that…a flame fighting for life, fighting for air, snuffed out all too soon.

I realized that tears were creeping down my cheeks. I looked up to see the others crying as well. We were a family, and one of our own had suffered a great loss.

“What can we do?” I asked, trying to find something that might help. “What can we do to help her through this?”

“I’ll hire an assistant for her for a month or two,” Tad said. “Wren’s going to need all the help she can get with making arrangements, dealing with all the medical gear at her house, cleaning, sorting through Walter’s things. That sort of thing.”

“That’s a good idea,” I said. “One of us should go over there now, though. She’ll need immediate support.”

“I’ll go,” Caitlin said. “Wren and I were going to meet for lunch tomorrow. If you don’t mind, I’ll take off now. I’ll stop for flowers and a casserole so she won’t have to cook.”

“Let us know if there’s anything we can do from here,” Tad said, giving her a quick kiss. “We don’t want to overwhelm her and I’m sure relatives from both her side and Walter’s side will be on the way. Give her our love.”

Caitlin shrugged on her jacket and headed out. I watched her go, thinking that I should have volunteered, but I had to meet Kerris after work. Caitlin had more leeway to help today, and there were a thousand things to do after a death. Wren wouldn’t be in much shape to do anything.

I sighed. “So, what do we do today? It’s going to be hard to focus.”

“Given we’re not really working on any cases right now, let’s take some time to organize files, check all the equipment, and sort out the office.

January, can you organize the supply closet and make a note if we’re low on anything?

Hank, start with the equipment. I’ll start scanning in photos.

” Tad motioned for us to get busy. “Take it easy, do what you can. We’re all in shock. ”

* * *

By late afternoon, we’d cleaned up the office in more ways than one. I grabbed the cleaner and sprayed down all the surfaces, wiping them thoroughly. Tad finished scanning in documents and organizing them, and Hank finished cleaning and checking all our equipment.

As we finished, Caitlin called. Tad put her on speaker phone.

“Wren’s asleep, finally. She’s in rough shape.

She’s trying so hard to be brave, but her heart’s broken.

I’m helping her by calling Walter’s friends and relatives.

I also closed down a bunch of accounts he had that she won’t need—subscriptions and the like.

” She paused, then said, “It’s so silent here.

Walter’s going to be cremated and then his ashes scattered back into the garden, where he loved to putter.

I’m going to make the arrangements for his funeral.

Wren showed me the will, with what they discussed, and I’ll make sure it happens. ”

Tad sighed. “That will help her a lot. This has been a rough day. Is there anybody else there with her?”

“Walter’s sister is due to arrive tomorrow from Massachusetts, and his parents are flying in from Florida on Wednesday.

Wren’s friend Sheila was here, but she kept breaking down and I suggested she go home.

The home health care worker who watched after Walter told me she’ll stay tonight, to make sure Wren’s okay.

I’ll be home in a couple hours, but I thought I’d come back tomorrow morning until Sheila gets here.

” Caitlin sounded tired. “I’d really like it if you had takeout waiting when I get home,” she added.

“Text me what you want,” Tad said. He turned to the rest of us. “Let’s knock off for the day. We won’t get anything else done this afternoon. See you tomorrow, and January, feel free to bring Kerris in with you, if you feel we could help. I’d like to meet her, anyway.”

As I gathered my things and prepared to leave, it occurred to me that each day was an adventure, for good or for bad, and when we woke in the morning, we never quite knew what was waiting in store for us.