Safe?.... Never! (Re-edited for easier reading)

Callum took a deep breath. He hated this part of the job.. giving bad news.

"Frank.."

He paused, searching for the right words.

".. The DEA received an anonymous tipoff, about someone manufacturing large quantities of street drugs, in a farmhouse, due East of here.."

The look on Frank's face told Callum that he didn't understand the relevance, so he continued.

".. Agents raided the property in the early hours of this morning. They didn't find any drugs, but they did find.."

He swallowed deeply, and stared at the ground. Frank grunted, indicating that the detective should carry on. Callum looked back up.

".. They found a body, Frank"

Frank's face paled, and he staggered sideways as his head spun. Callum grabbed his arm, and guided him over to the sofa. He knew he should've made him sit before they started talking.

"Gee?"

Frank whimpered.
Callum offered a small shake of the head.

"We don't know.."

He said, quietly.

".. The body has.. I mean.. The fingertips and teeth were removed.. We can't identify him for sure.. But he's a white male, with long dark hair, and he does resemble Gerard.."

Callum looked at his hands.

".. I need you to come with me.. To see if it's him, or not.."

He looked back at Frank's tear stained face. He really hated this part of the job. Frank sat, frozen in place, red eyes staring at nothing.

".. I'm so sorry to have to ask this of you Frank.. But we need to know, and apparently, Mikey's out of town right now, so there is only you to ask.. Will you come?"

Frank blinked slowly. His whole world was crashing down around him, and all he felt, was numb.
Callum placed a hand on Frank's trembling arm, and the younger man slowly turned wet eyes his way.

"Yes.."

Frank breathed.

".. Of course"

Standing from the couch, Frank wobbled slightly, his head spinning. Callum gripped his arm, offering support.

"You ok Frank?.. You don't look so good."

Frank scoffed.

"I'm fine.."

He lied.

".. Just stood up too quick's all.."

Pulling his arm free, Frank headed toward the front door, slipping on his Vans and grabbing his keys and wallet from the table by the door.

".. Ok, let's go."

Callum followed Frank outside, then insisted on driving them, cos he didn't think Frank was up to it.
The car ride was long, silent, and tense.. punctuated occasionally, by Callum's police-band radio quietly crackling out, as messages passed about the airwaves.
After about an hour and a half, the car pulled up outside a small red-brick building, with the words "Frankford Town Mortuary" printed in black, on a small white sign by the glass, double doors.

Callum sighed, removing the key from the ignition.

"We're here.."

He stated, softly.

".. Do you want to take a minute?"

He looked at the quiet man in the passenger seat.
Frank shook his head.

"No. Let's just get this done"

Opening the car door and climbing, unsteadily out, Frank looked around for a second. They were in a small lot, to the side of the building. Behind it, was an area of woodland, and in front, across the road, were fields, as far as the eye could see.
They seemed to be on the very edge of the township, as they had only passed two other buildings as they arrived. A bar, that Frank wanted to run into right now, and drink til he couldn't remember his own name.. and a burnt out house, with all its windows boarded up and graffitied.

Frank shook as a cold breeze whipped around him, and he realised that he'd left his jacket at home.

"Come on then.."

Callum said, closer to Frank's left side than he'd thought.

".. It's getting cold"

Without another word, the two men headed inside.
Once through the doors, they came to a neat reception desk, and a woman with short greying hair, and intense blue eyes.

"Good afternoon gentlemen.."

She welcomed them.

".. How can I help you?"

Callum produced his I.D, and explained why they were there. The woman, who introduced herself as Carol, said she would go and fetch the guy in charge.
Frank sat down on a metal chair, against the wall, while Callum examined an aerial photo of the town, that was hung proudly next to the desk.

After a couple of minutes, Carol returned, with a tall, dark haired man, wearing black jeans, and a black button up shirt.

"Hello gentlemen.."

He said, approaching Callum with his hand outstretched.

".. I'm Mr. Grimes, but you can call me Rick.. I'm the town medical examiner. Carol says you're here to identify our John Doe?"
Callum shook the man's hand.

"Yes, we are.."

He retrieved his hand, and indicated Frank's slouched figure behind him.

".. This is Frank Iero.. He's the partner of the man we think John Doe could be."

Rick nodded to the detective, then stepped toward Frank.

"Mr. Iero?.."

Frank looked up with empty eyes.

".. If you would come with me.."

Frank stood slowly, and followed the man across the reception area, and through a plain black door to the right. Callum walked silently by his side.
They entered a long, white corridor, with a single curtained window on the right, and a door further down the same wall. Opposite the window, sat a row of cushioned chairs.

".. Take a seat, Mr. Iero.."

The coroner said, gently. Frank sat.

".. I will prepare the body for viewing, then I'll return."

Frank nodded, dejectedly, and watched as Rick disappeared through the door next to the window.
Callum sat down next to him.

"How ya holding up, Frank?.."

Frank shrugged. Callum sighed, he knew that Frank was on the edge right now, but this had to be done.

".. Frank.. When he comes back, he'll open that curtain.."

He pointed to the red velvet drapes across from them.

".. And you'll be able to see the.. John Doe.."

Frank had a blank expression on his face, like his mind had already shut down from grief.

".. Frank.. All you need to do, is say 'yes' or 'no'.. Then I can take you home.. Ok?"

Frank murmured his agreement, though he was very far from ok, and looked up as the door opened again, and Rick returned to stand by the curtain.

"Mr. Iero, do you understand what we're about to do?.."

Frank nodded, standing shakily and stepping forward.

".. Ok. So if this is who the detective thinks it might be, then say 'yes', if it isn't, say 'no'.."

He took hold of the edge of the curtain.

".. Are you ready?"

Frank took a shuddering breath, then nodded, stealing himself for what he was about to see. If this was Gerard, then his life was truly over.
Rick opened the curtain.

Behind the glass, was a small, well lit green room. In the middle of the room, was a table, and on that table, was the body.. Thin, pale.. Dead!

Frank stared at the corpse.. His hands sweating and his mouth dry. Callum placed a hand on his arm.

"Frank?.. Is it him?.."

Slowly, Frank turned away from the gruesome sight, and looked from one concerned face to the other.

".. Frank?"...

Notes

Hi there chipmunks..

Not really sure what to say. Sorry if any details are wrong, I have never identified a body before (THANK GOD!), so I don't really know procedures or anything, so I hope it's ok.

Please comment, and tell me if you think Frank will say "yes" or "no"

Peace out babies
<3