Dead?
Thoughts jumped rapidly through his head. Synapses quickly pushed aside denial and were replaced by scenes that now made perfect sense to him.
Gibson slumped down into the nearest armchair and rested his head in his hands. The words had only just penetrated, but his mind was already moving ahead to the practicalities.
They had life insurance, funeral insurance and a sizeable nest egg. Ever the logical one, Lisa had seen to it all. The kids would be hurt, but they wouldn’t suffer financially as well.
The young constable who had delivered the news took a seat across from Gibson and politely accepted a cup of tea. His awkwardness was in direct contrast to Lisa’s composure. Gibson could see he’d been braced for hysterics, and had found himself being comforted for his obvious discomfort instead.
Lisa had always had shown little emotion. No matter the circumstances, Lisa would never let her guard down.
‘Can you please explain further how the accident occurred?’ Lisa asked the younger man as she took up her own cup.
The constable shifted to the edge of his seat, ‘It’s just speculation at the moment ma’am, but it appears right now as if he may have fallen asleep at the wheel’
Lisa nodded thoughtfully, ‘He has been having trouble sleeping lately. He took an extra sleeping tablet last night. I thought he still appeared a bit groggy this morning but he insisted he was alright.’
Gibson frowned. He had never taken a sleeping pill in his life. At least, not knowingly. Now that he thought of it however, his nightly cup of tea had been tasting a bit strange since Lisa had switched brand of artificial sweetener.
He had to grin at her cunning. Gibson bet she even got the script in his name. Lisa always had been a stickler for the practicalities.

© Alison Pearce 2010-10-20