Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in Mathis Residence- TMODJ
Jeannette returned home, stepping through her front door and into the arms of her spouse.

And then she broke down into sobs.

About fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang and it was Ren who answered. Eela Dasca was standing there, a mixed look on her her face. “I’m sorry to bother you all, but I thought I’d stop by to see how you were doing,” she said, concern etched into her features.

Ren stepped back and gestured for her to come in. “Of course, you’re most welcome here. Jean just returned a short while ago.” In fact, said wife was on the large couch with their teenage son, wrapped in a blanket.

Eela moved into the open space living area and sat down in an oversized velvet armchair, meeting Jeannette’s gaze. “I’m so sorry, Jeanette.”

The ambassador nodded. “So am I. For us , for you, for Oed. He was so…” She shook her head. “We knew we had an uphill battle to fight in order to find our place and be accepted here, but we were both so committed to the journey. And you were so very important to him, you should know that.”

“I do,” Dasca said. “And he was equally important to me.” She inhaled deeply and blew out that breath. “Do we know anything more?”

Jeanette shook her head. “Not really. I overheard my security detail talking to the police. The place was trashed, there was blood. Nothing more other than confirmation that he was gone. But I already knew that.”

~The Mathis Family & Eela Dacsa

Ren came and gently encouraged Jessie to leave the couch and go upstairs with them, to give the two women a bit of privacy.

The gnawing feeling returned and so did the need for answers. “I wish he had told me what was bothering him. He didn’t want to ruin our night last night and said he’d tell me today. I just can’t piece it together, I can’t figure out what was bothering him so much that he was afraid to talk about it with anyone.”

“You noticed that too?” Jeannette said, sitting up a bit more, her red-rimmed pale blue eyes suddenly intense. “I asked him about it. He said he was working through it and would talk to me later. But he was worried about making sure I knew he’d never do anything to compromise me or our work.”

Eela leaned forward and it was like the two of them were suddenly on the same wavelength but still not quite in the proximity of where they needed to be. Clues, there were clues. But where? She nodded, trying to pry any tiny details out of this common knowledge of theirs. If there was one thing she appreciated right now, it was that her and Jeannette both were minded towards answers, towards action, even if all they could do was sit and wait.

“He did worry about how his relationship with you might be interpreted by outsiders. I told him there was no concern, that you were both exceptionally professional and had proven that already. What you did in your own personal time was your business alone.” Jeannette reached forward and took Eela’s hand. “He’s family to us, always will be, but I’m glad he found some happiness, and I’m so sorry it’s turned out this way.”

Again, Eela nodded. “Me too,” she said, her voice flat. Blowing out a breath, she slipped her hand out. “I am supposed to go back to the Governor’s home after this, but I did want to let you know that he and I will let Ambassador Kek discreetly know what’s going on, so he’s not surprised when it hits the news. We’ll have Caputo make the announcement when it’s time.”

~Eela Dasca & The Mathis Family