Chapter Twenty-Three
Junior lay in a bed with an IV drip. An elderly man and woman, William and Vena O’Sullivan sat at his side near a window. The couple was well dressed: William as handsome as the day Vena met him; and Vena, sturdy and aching. Her heart was breaking because her favorite child was the sad conclusion of unconditional love. Also standing next to the bed near the door was a young woman, Marilyn. She briefly turned when she heard the throat clearing cough of Officer Mike as he came into the room. She was a beauty with long black hair that framed her flawless face, and eyes large and bold, but sweet. Otherwise, their looks were so similar there could be no doubt that she and Junior were brother and sister. She never took her hand off Junior’s arm as she offered Officer Mike a
