I Know Who Holds Tomorrow by Francis Ray

front of the house, Gordon was there, opening the door. “Madison. Madison. It’s Gordon.” Finally she looked at him, then tumbled into his arms. “It’s all right. It’s all right.”
    Zachary felt helplessness wash over him again. He reached out to touch her as he had done with Manda, then jerked his hand back. What a mess.
    One of the massive, recessed double doors opened and a diminutive woman came rushing out. Zachary remembered her as Gretchen, the housekeeper.
    â€œI got her bed all ready, Mr. Armstrong. You bring her on in.”
    Picking up Madison’s purse, Zachary followed. The entryway was filled with African art and bronzes Wes had collected in his travels. Knowing the location of the master bedroom suite, Zachary was surprised when Gretchen entered the bedroom next to it. There was no door that connected them.
    One look inside the room and he had his answer. Wes liked bold colors, and heavy furniture. The room, light and airy, was completely feminine: a luxurious mix of fabrics and accessories. A canopy bed was outfitted with an array of fluffy pillows, duvet, and adjustable reading lights on
either side of the padded headboard. At the foot of the bed was a padded bench in the same fabric as the headboard.
    Colors from the deepest rose to the lightest mauve with just a hint of the palest green were repeated throughout the room. The wallpaper was a rose silk he’d put up himself. At the time he’d thought it was to be a guest room. Placing the purse on the small table just inside the door, he went back to the living room to wait.
    Gordon joined him less than five minutes later and headed for the built-in bar. “I need a drink. How about you?”
    â€œScotch.”
    â€œWes’s drink of choice.” Gordon opened the cabinet and pulled a crystal decanter from beneath. “It’s hard anytime, but when it comes out of nowhere …”
    Zachary walked over and leaned against the oak counter. “You call her parents yet?”
    â€œOn the way here.” Gordon pulled the stopper and poured a liberal portion in two squat crystal glasses. “I couldn’t get them at their home so I called Dianne, Madison’s older sister, and spoke with her husband, David. He’d stayed to keep their two little girls. Dianne and her parents left as soon as they could get a flight out. As it happened he was speaking with her at the time. She’d called from the plane to see if Madison had called back with any more news about Wes. He had to tell her Wes had died. He’s flying out in the morning. His parents are coming to keep the girls.”
    Gordon’s hand fisted on the glass. “I can’t imagine how difficult it was for David to tell Dianne or for her to hear such news or worse for her to tell her parents. They’re a close family. They must be frantic to get to Madison. Their plane arrives at DFW within the hour.” Gordon took a hefty swallow of the amber liquid.
    Zachary stared down at his own glass. He knew exactly how Dianne’s husband had felt. He’d been the one to tell Wes that Manda’s mother hadn’t made it. Zachary’s chest tight, he glanced up at Gordon’s somber face. “I can pick them up if you’d like.”
    â€œI’d appreciate it,” Gordon said, glancing toward the bedroom. “I don’t want to leave Madison alone. Gretchen has been with them for a long time, but I’d feel better staying.”
    â€œI’ll wait until later to drink this.” Zachary pushed the glass away. “Do you have the flight information?”

    Reaching into the breast pocket of his sports coat, Gordon drew out a white slip of paper and handed it to Zachary, along with his car keys. “Your truck won’t seat them comfortably.”
    Zachary glanced at the information, then stuffed it into his shirt pocket. “I’d better get going.”
    â€œWait.” Gordon