Free A Child is Torn: Innocence Lost by Dawn Kopman Whidden Page A

You were fifteen, weren’t you Eddie?”
     
    “I don’t remember Mama. I don’t think… we trashed an abandoned building, did stupid stuff, if that’s what you’re referring to. Kid stuff. No one got hurt.” He emphasized, looking directly into Moran’s eyes.
     
    “Did your daughter complain that Brad was starting to have mood swings, Mrs. Ginns?” Jean inquired.
     
    “No, not at all. She did mention something that happened at school, and how Brad was devastated. It was an accident; they were playing ball, and Brad hit a boy in the face. It was an accident. Brad was very upset.”
     
    “Yes, we heard about that, we spoke to his teacher. She agrees with you, that he was well loved and cared for.”
     
    The doorbell rang. “That must be Evan’s parents,” Mrs. Ginns remarked as she stood up.
     
    Before Mr. Madison’s parents could join them, Jean looked at the elder Mr. Ginns.
     
    “You said your son-in-law wasn’t close to his parents—were they close to Brad?”
     
    Mr. Ginns spoke in a hushed voice, as if trying to make sure he wouldn’t be overheard.
     
    “They were pretty close until Brad was born, and then… let’s put it this way; they saw them every other year, and even then it would be just a quick visit. It was almost like they didn’t want anything to do with the boy.” He had the cane in his hands and he was nervously passing it back and forth between his palms. “Evan was pretty upset about it. He had been very close to his dad when he was younger. They’re a bit stuffy. She’s a nervous wreck. Evan just figured they were getting old and had no patience to be around a little one.”
     
    As soon as Mrs. Madison walked into the room, she enveloped Mrs. Ginns in her arms and sobbed loudly. Jean watched as Mr. Madison shook Eddie’s hand and then did the same with the elder Mr. Ginns. He was a big man, with crew-cut hair. On his left arm was a tattoo of the American flag. She was slightly curvy, with a full bosom and little more on the short side. Unlike Mrs. Ginns, she wasn’t an attractive woman, but still gave Jean the impression she had, perhaps, once oozed sex appeal.
     
    Moran introduced himself, and offered his condolences. Mrs. Madison finally settled down and took the seat that Eddie had occupied. Her husband stayed standing.
     
    “This is so horrible, horrible,” Mrs. Madison said. In her hand was a clean linen hankie. She began dabbing at the black eyeliner that had smeared below her eyes. “Reporters tracked us down and have been hounding us. We just had to get out of there. I see they’re camped outside here as well. Thank God they didn’t know who we were when we drove up.”
     
    Jean noticed Mr. Madison give his wife a sharp look. She instantly changed the subject.
     
    Turning back to Mrs. Ginns, she asked, “Did you speak to the preacher, Evelyn? When will the memorial be?”
     
    Moran was busy directing questions to the three men. Jean tried to inconspicuously listen to the older women’s conversation.
     
    A few minutes later Moran announced, “Well, we’ll let you get on with your business.” He indicated to Jean that it was time to go. “Again, we’re so sorry for your loss. If there is anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to contact us.” He handed them each a business card. Eddie put up his hand and rejected the offer.
     
    “I already have one detective, thanks.”
     
    Jean overheard Mrs. Ginns telling Mrs. Madison that they wouldn’t let her see Brad yet. Mrs. Madison remained silent. Mrs. Ginns then mentioned the family was meeting with Brad’s doctor that evening and asked Evan’s mom to stay. Apparently Mr. Madison overheard and abruptly turned to his wife. He bluntly told them they couldn’t stay. They had some things to take care of and wouldn’t have the time.
     
    Jean wondered if Moran had overheard the exchange. She didn’t say anything until they were in the car and he was buckling himself in.
     
    “Did you