Chapter Nineteen

                                    

                                          

The next couple of days were pretty normal and predictable although with an undercurrent of eerie tension. The accident and the pending autopsy was never far from anyone's mind. Especially Cassandra's. 
What scared Theo the most was that anyone could get caught in this web of danger. Winnie had been hit by a car protecting Cassandra. That box of cookies could have been eaten by anyone if they were indeed tainted. Cassandra didn't like sweets much but what if a grandchild had eaten one?
Winnie was released from the hospital with aches and pains and an arm in a sling. He arrived at the Walton house to a welcome party fit for the hero they considered him to be. Winnie was shocked to see how much everyone cared about him. He was especially shocked when Cassandra gave him a long warm hug and thanked him. " Whatever you study in college," she whispered in his ear ," I'll pay your tuition. You're my grandson now. "
Matt had fixed all of Winnie's favorite food. Tangy meatloaf. Mac 'N cheese with three different types of cheese. A double chocolate fudge cake. 
As they ate Matt's delicious food Ryan called Theo. The autopsy was done. It wasn't natural. Their father had been killed. Poisoned with the cookies that were filled with arsenic. After Theo told everyone Grace mentioned that arsenic was odorless and tasteless. Their father never even suspected what he was eating. He just thought it was a nice surprise from his son. Ryan had also said his death was being treated as a full fledged homicide now and they were going to take a closer look at the hit and run. Ryan was even going to visit the Raye sisters to ask some questions. 
Winnie wanted to check on  Livvie and Benji who were napping upstairs. He wasn't gone long before he came back downstairs panicked. Livvie was fine and still sleeping but in Theo and Reed's room the window was open. And Winnie could see a ladder plopped up outside. 
And Benji's cot was empty. 
Benji was missing.