Well, this stinks. (Tag Erica, OTA in the police station)
Matt doesn't show up for work. John waits a bit; the kid was a notoriously non-morning person. Finally with a sinking feeling, born of Lucy's recent disappearance, John pulls out his messenger. There's no 'Farrell, Matthew' in the directory. Well, crap.
At first, he thinks he'll be fine. I mean he's handled Lucy's leaving okay, just needs to remind himself that she's okay, and that he'll see her again, and stay busy with Maddie -- he's fine, really.
But denial is tricky; he forgets that not being used to seeing Lucy everyday has made a big difference. The third or fourth time he turns to Matt's desk to tell the kid something funny, or get his help with the computer, the empty chair hits him like a knife in the gut.
He clenches his jaw, and goes to the break room, ostensibly to get a cup of coffee. This seems to require slamming a few cupboard doors, and drawers, and finally leaning his head against the cupboard with his eyes closed.
At first, he thinks he'll be fine. I mean he's handled Lucy's leaving okay, just needs to remind himself that she's okay, and that he'll see her again, and stay busy with Maddie -- he's fine, really.
But denial is tricky; he forgets that not being used to seeing Lucy everyday has made a big difference. The third or fourth time he turns to Matt's desk to tell the kid something funny, or get his help with the computer, the empty chair hits him like a knife in the gut.
He clenches his jaw, and goes to the break room, ostensibly to get a cup of coffee. This seems to require slamming a few cupboard doors, and drawers, and finally leaning his head against the cupboard with his eyes closed.