Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Mathis Residence- TMODJ

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

Jeanette sucked in a breath and nodded. “I have to call his family. I fought to be able to, so that they didn’t hear the news from some medical examiner on a colony they’d never been to. But now that I have to make that call, and sooner rather than later, I don’t know how. In all my career, I’ve never had to make a call like this!” Tears blurred her vision and suddenly her hand was in Eela’s, the older woman gripping strongly.

“Unfortunately, I have. More times than I ever wish I had to,” Eela said. And that wasn’t counting the times she had been in a coma and unable to make the necessary calls herself. That job had fallen to her first officer, Benjamin Meyer. “Come, I’ll help you.”

With a grateful nod, Mathis pushed the blanket aside and led Dasca to her home office. They settled in at the desk and Jeanette used her priority diplomatic clearance to put in an urgent call to Ajilon Prime. It took a few minutes, and trying Dash’s sister after it was clear his mother was not available, but soon the screen shifted to a woman who looked a lot like Dash, with a mass of curly brown hair and vibrant blue eyes. ||Jeannette! What do I owe the pl-|| The expression on Clarissa Jones-Malone shifted quickly into a frown. ||What’s wrong?||

Jeannette tried to say something but there were no words! It was frustrating for someone whose entire career was predicated on being able to communicate well at any time.

But Eela understood and let herself take up more of the screen. “Hello, I’m Eela Dasca, the Lieutenant Governor here on Oed. You’ll have to forgive the Ambassador, but it’s been a difficult morning here. We were trying to get a hold of your mother first, but Eleanor wasn’t available.”

Clarissa blinked. ||Eela… oh! You’re the one Dash was telling me about,|| she said, breaking into a tiny smile.

Eela nodded. “Yes.”

Dash’s sister frowned. ||But if you’re calling, then something has happened to Dash, right? Is he okay?||

Eela took a moment to channel all her composure, all the years of experience. She could be outwardly empathetic but inside there was nothing that would topple her in this moment. “No, no he’s not Clarissa. I’m so sorry to have to tell you this, but Dash was found dead this morning.”

Shock filled the woman’s features and her mouth dropped open. ||But, I just spoke to him yesterday, after your big gala thing. What happened?!||

Dacsa shook her head. “We don’t know. I wish I had answers for you, but we’re waiting for them as well. The police are investigating and you can expect the medical examiner here to contact you later when there is more information. Anything I can tell you, I will. I understand this is devastating, and we all need time to sort through it, but we have to wait till we know more.”

Clarissa wiped at tears. ||My mother is at work, so I’ll have to go see her. Oh, this will.. oh.||

Jeannette finally found a way to form words, her own eyes equally filled with tears. “I’m so sorry. Dash was very special to me and my family, and we considered him an extension of it. Please give my deepest regrets to you mother as well.”

She nodded. ||Of course, Jeanette. He loves…loved working with you. It’s been everything he ever wanted. And he loved Jessie like a nephew. Oh God, I can’t believe this!||

“Neither can we,” Eela said softly. She exchanged a brief look with Mathis, who nodded. “I’m afraid we have to go deal with the situation, but I will make sure the authorities know you’ve been informed and if there’s anything else we can tell you, we’ll call again.”

Clarissa nodded. ||Thank you. We’ll speak again soon.|| The screen shifted back to the UFP symbol.

Jeanette slumped in her chair and looked at Eela, profound sadness radiating from her. “That was by far one of the most terrible things I’ve ever had to do. How do you do it?”

Eela shook her head. “It never gets easier, so you just know that going in that it’s going to suck, and then you just… do it.” She shrugged. “It’s a bit different when it’s someone you know so well though. Those are always the worst.” She reached out and gave Jean’s hand a squeeze. “But we made it through. We’re taking everything one step at a time. Mine and Hyrushi’s staff at the Tower are tackling things, so if there is anything you need, you just let me know, alright?”

Mathis nodded. “Thank you. I told the detective that I would be here when they needed to take a statement, and honestly, this is where I need to be, with Ren and Jessie.”

“I agree,” Eela said softly. “I’ll let you know how it goes with Kek, but for now, I’ll let myself out.” She rose and rested her hand on Jean’s shoulder for a moment, before she slipped out of the office and the residence.

Stepping back into her slider, she told them to take her back to the Governor’s residence.

~Eela Dasca & The Mathis Family