Finally, as the service was underway and everyone was out of the narthex, she found a door on the side that she slipped through. She quietly took a seat in the far back corner. The floor creaked once, but not one head turned. So far, so good.
The church was rather old and run down, but it had a nice vibe to it. On the outside there was white siding and a large steeple. The inside boasted of a cathedral ceiling and stain-glassed windows. There were wood floors and a lot of wood trim throughout. The pew she sat in was extremely uncomfortable. And yet despite all these things she noticed, it had a sense of home and belonging. She pictured this being the place to go Sunday mornings if one were from around these parts.
As she watched the service, tears streamed down her cheek. There was one part where others could come up and share a memory of Connor. If she was able to do so, she would have in a heartbeat. So many memories she could have shared with the world, yet they’d have to remain with her.
Besides a couple stories and songs, the pastor gave a small speech. More often than not, with each new section of the service, a woman in front wailed loudly. Laura thought it was probably his mom. She only got a good look of her back and the ridiculous hat she wore, but from what she saw, she was a tiny woman. Someone you wouldn’t expect to be filled with such spirit on the phone. Laura kind of thought his mom would look like a big brute, tall and heavy. Not someone short and fragile or who could easily fall over with the push of a finger.
Everything was over within an hour. The pallbearers were asked to come to the front to remove the coffin. All six men were tall and built. She could tell they were related to Connor in one way or another. The family genes in the Williams men were strong.
This was her cue to leave. While everyone’s attention was fixed on the front, she went back out the side door, through the narthex, and out to her car. She sprinted when she reached the outdoors just in case anyone else was close behind.
Inside her car, she watched carefully. She was sure it was going to be a long wait as the burial wasn’t supposed to follow until an hour after the end of the funeral service. But her mind was filled with ways to pass time. All she had to do was think of Connor. The tears came. She laughed a little. Her heart sped up when she envisioned his touch and the way they kissed. Mostly, though, she felt angry. Guilty even. The last remaining moments they had together was nowhere near what she pictured they’d be like. So much could have been different. Should have been different.
From the corner of her eye, Laura saw a group of people come out of the church. Looking at the time, it had to be close to the hearse leaving. Ten minutes later, the procession was lined up and one by one they left.
She turned her vehicle on, shifted into drive, and followed.
* * *
At the cemetery, Laura parked out of sight. She cautiously stepped closer to the small group of people saying their last goodbyes. One tree was big enough to hide her frame. She peeked around from time to time, keeping watch over how things were progressing. Though she couldn’t hear a single thing being said, the lowering of the casket was clue enough everything was about over.
Some of the people hugged. The men mostly shook hands. A few walked off with just a wave. Slowly, one car after another left. Now just two people were left before the coffin-sized hole in the ground. It must be Connor’s parents.
Laura was getting tired of standing there. She wanted her own chance to say goodbye, but his parents weren’t leaving. She sighed. Crossing her arms over her chest, she fanned her foot on the ground. It helped pass the time.
From the distance, the sound of a car door closing rang out. Laura peered from behind the large tree. Connor’s parents were gone. She couldn’t even spot their car. She looked twice more to be sure they were nowhere in sight. All clear, she stepped out and walked toward Connor’s final resting place.
Looking down, she saw the various-colored roses piled high. Upon closer glance, she saw the coffin was a deep cherry. He always liked that color of wood. All of this was so surreal. She couldn’t believe that the body lying inside was none other than her love.
A fresh batch of tears welled up and trickled down. She inhaled deeply, quivering as she let it out. There was so much to say. Where should she start?
She swiped a tear from her cheek. “I can’t believe you’re gone, Connor. It just doesn’t seem real.” Her head shook side to side slowly.
“I miss you so much. What we had was…” Laura struggled to say the right thing. “Incredible, I guess.” A few seconds later, she continued. “I keep hoping this is all some bad dream and I’ll wake up from it, you by my side.”
Laura’s lungs filled with a big intake of air. “I don’t want to go.” She sobbed quietly, covering her eyes with her hands. “Please come back.”
There she stood for a long time, talking to him about anything and everything. Some of what she shared were memories flooding through her mind of their best moments together.
She was so caught up in her own little world that she never noticed the storm blowing in. Clouds were getting darker; the wind was picking up. She never realized it until raindrops splattered all around, her skin feeling the cool wetness.
“I guess I should go.” She was quick to add, “But I’ll be back. I know where you are, so I’ll come and visit.”
Staring down at the coffin one last time, she held her hand up in a wave. It took everything in her to take the first step away from the gravesite.
Turning around, she abruptly halted. In her path were Connor’s parents. They didn’t look happy.
“I knew you’d be here,” his mother hissed.
She looked older than Laura imagined. Her petite frame was pale and wrinkly. The black hat she wore looked just as ridiculous from the front as it did from the back. But it was her eyes that really made Laura feel uneasy. They were pure ice; yet a bottomless pit. They wouldn’t be soon forgotten.
“You just couldn’t stay away!” she added.
Laura put her hands up in surrender. “I didn’t mean any harm, really.”
Connor’s mom took a step closer to Laura. “You killed my son. That’s plenty of harm.” Her finger, topped with a long, pointy nail, aimed right at Laura.
Her face scrunched. “I didn’t kill your son! I loved him!”
His mom made a sound like she didn’t believe her.
Swiping more tears from her eyes, Laura said, “Look, I’m going to go. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” She took a few steps to the side to walk by.
A loud crack of thunder resounded as his father stepped forward. Laura stopped in her tracks. Unlike Connor’s mom, he was tall and heavier set. Though he showed signs of aging, he didn’t look like someone she should mess with. His move toward her felt threatening.
“You already have,” he said, his voice shaky and deep.
Both of his parents took another step toward her. Laura again moved back. Both their eyes pierced through her. They looked like they wanted to kill.
“Please. I just want to go.” Again, she tried stepping aside.
They drew in closer. She cowered back. Looking behind, she could see she was inching closer to the hole Connor’s body lay in. If she didn’t think quick, she’d be laying on top of his coffin.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams came closer. Their pointing fingers were almost hitting her chest. And their words? They were daggers attacking her very being; all that she was. Expletives spewed from their mouths. Who would have thought such dirty things could come from the likes of them? Especially the mom, as tiny as she was.
Laura’s eyes widened, horrified. She quickly glanced to the left and then to the right. In one swift movement, she used her arms to push her attackers aside, bursting forth and running free.
She only looked back once as she made her way to her car. Connor’s mom and dad were just standing there like nothing happened. Their eyes were still on her, but their demeanor changed. They looked far less cruel. Maybe the distance softened their features. Or maybe they
were just happy they got rid of her. Either way, she didn’t care. She just ran, wanting to get as far from them as she could.
Once in her car, she locked the doors. Almost as soon as the key was turned in the ignition, she zipped out of the cemetery. There was no time to even catch her breath.
Chapter 20
S
he didn’t want to go. It had been two weeks since the incident at the cemetery, but Laura still found it hard to leave Marissa’s place. Deep down she knew that Connor’s parents didn’t live around here. But she was afraid they’d find her, which is why she never went back home. It’s not like she planned on being here for as long as she did. It just turned out that way. And thankfully, her friend never kicked her out.
Marissa did tell her, though, to get some therapy. But how could she even afford that? She didn’t have a great job anymore. Her savings account was quickly reaching zero. Marissa, herself, offered to do some sessions with her, but Laura didn’t know if that was a good idea. They were friends. She didn’t really want to become her client necessarily.
At least tonight she’d have witnesses if anything happened. Not only would Marissa be there, but so would a couple hundred students, their family and friends, and faculty and staff of Capstone University. It was time to celebrate the graduating class. Cassie was one of the students.
But that was another can of worms. It was a little awkward going back to the school she taught at. What would people say, think, or do when they saw her?
The gymnasium was filled with people by the time Laura and Marissa arrived, which explained why the parking lot was full and they had to find a spot across the street. They sat near the top of the bleachers. It was hot and stuffy. The chattering of everyone present made Laura anxious. She felt closed in.
An eerie thought crossed her mind. The Margaret Killer could be in this very gym. She could have accidently bumped into her on the way in, seeing as many bodies were trying to find their right place to go. She could be sitting next to her. Looking at her. Any number of things. Was she being watched? Was the killer going to make a move? Laura felt a shiver down her spine.
As the graduation ceremony went underway, Laura tried to focus on the event. She didn’t want to have a panic attack and cause a scene. It helped to see the class valedictorian make a speech. Stephanie Caruthers was someone that had been in two of her classes. She was a smart person with a bright future. Someone she enjoyed teaching. Learning from, too, if she was being honest.
When all the formalities and speeches were done, it was time to see the graduating students get their degree. Laura spotted Cassie in her gown. She was so proud of her. Another woman with an exciting and prosperous future.
When they called Cassie’s name, Laura stood up, whistling through her fingers. It was a sharp sound that drew a few heads. She clapped and shouted her praise.
Sitting back down, Laura told Marissa, “You should have stood up and joined me in clapping!” It was mostly a tease, but there was a small part of her that meant every syllable.
“I don’t like eyes on me,” Marissa replied. She half-smiled.
Laura nudged her, smiling back.
A few other times, people shouted their congratulations, some making a spectacle of themselves. It was funny.
After all was said and done, Laura and Marissa lingered right outside the gym doors. Cassie’s mom, Marissa’s sister, was there, as was Cassie’s dad. They had all agreed to connect after the ceremony. Surprisingly, while they waited, Laura had only received smiles and kind waves from those she knew. A couple of teachers even hugged her and asked how she was doing. It was a breath of fresh air.
Once Cassie and her mom and dad were spotted, Laura smiled widely, walking up to Cassie with arms wide open. The two of them embraced. Marissa hugged her sister, who she had not seen in a long time. The five of them stood in a circle talking, focusing mostly on Cassie. Her mom wanted to see her degree up close. Laura asked how her internship had been going.
“What are you going to do now?” Cassie’s dad asked.
She thought for a moment, looking around at some of the other students who had just graduated with her. “You know, I don’t know. I like where I’m at, but I don’t know if they have any openings.”
“You should go back home!” Marissa was quick to blurt out.
Laura and Cassie both furrowed their eyebrows. Cassie’s mom and dad, however, lit up.
“Oh, honey, we’d love to have you back!” Her mom said, rubbing a hand up and down Cassie’s arm.
“We sure would,” her dad agreed.
Having time to think it through, Laura thought it might actually be a good idea. After all, she had thought of going back to Bennington Hills herself. And with everything going on here in Crimson Shores with The Margaret Killer, it might be a smart move. “You know, Cassie, you should consider it.”
Cassie looked like she didn’t know what to say. A slight breeze blew a strand of hair in her face. She quickly removed it.
Laura continued before Cassie could speak. “I mean, you have family there, and it’s a slightly bigger area so there may be more opportunities. But, really, the whole world is at your feet. You’d be good anywhere.” She smiled.
“Yeah, well, I’ll take the summer to search and we’ll see.” She looked at everyone, smiling.
Cassie’s mom’s eyes widened. “Hey, why don’t we all go celebrate? It’s on us.” She pointed back and forth between her husband and herself.
Marissa sucked air in through her teeth. “Oh, I’d love to, but I actually have to be somewhere.”
“I didn’t know you had plans,” Laura stated, confused and concerned. She scratched the back of her head.
“Didn’t I tell you? I’m sorry. Yeah, I’ve got to meet up with someone.” She shook her head, waving her hand forward in the air, as if to say it was nothing too important. “It’s work related.”
“She’s my ride so I guess I can’t go either,” Laura said, disappointed.
“Oh, I can drop you off!” Cassie offered.
Laura was suddenly happier. She didn’t want to miss out on this. “Really? You don’t mind? I’d love to celebrate with you!”
“Yeah, no problem!”
Marissa gave Cassie a hug and apologized for having to leave. She then hugged her sister and brother-in-law. “See you later, Laura.”
“Bye.” Laura waved.
“Where should we go?” Cassie’s mom asked, looking between her daughter and Laura.
Cassie and Laura shared glances. “What about pizza?” they said in unison. The two laughed.
As they started walking, Laura kept smiling. She was glad she came tonight.
* * *
As soon as Billy Hardewick, the foreman from The Margaret Killer trial, sat down in his car and closed the door, strong hands from the back covered his mouth to muffle any attempt of yelling for help. He tried wrestling free from whoever it was that was attacking him, but he just didn’t have the strength.
The person from behind said a few words, but Billy couldn’t make them out. A sudden sharp poke entered the side of his neck. It stung. He realized it must be the work of The Margaret Killer. But how could a woman be this strong? Or have such large hands?
Within minutes, he felt his body begin to shake and his heart was spasming out of control. Beads of sweat outlined his forehead and his shirt started to show rings around the armpits. He felt sick.
His vision blurred. His breathing labored. He knew he was going to die. No sooner had that conclusion entered his brain when he passed away.
* * *
He closed the car door, throwing a card unto Billy Hardewick’s lap through the window. Easy.
His phone rang. When he saw who it was, his eyes rolled almost as if on cue. But he should answer. She had messed up.
“Hey, babe. Where are you?”
He coughed. It wasn’t because he was sick, either. “Where do you think I am? Don’t you remember a certain someone we were supposed to
take care of?”
Silence.
“But don’t you worry,” he spat out sarcastically. “I took care of it all by myself.”
“I swear I’m on my way. I was just running late. I’m so, so sorry.”
Another eyeroll. “It’s too late. He’s gone.”
His girlfriend sighed.
“You might as well just go home.” He hung up on her, annoyed. All he could think about was how she was beginning to mess up more and more. Instead of relishing in the fantastic kill he just made, all he focused on was his girlfriend needing to learn her place.
He was quickly realizing he didn’t need her as much now. If she weren’t careful, she might be next.
* * *
Cassie Seaver arrived at the police station bright and early the next morning. It was the last day of her internship, which brought on mixed feelings. A part of her was excited to be done. Another part of her was anxious about what to do next. Then there was this tiny part of her that was a little sad she’d be moving on. All of this combined made her stressed out. Thankfully, her job today was on the light and easy side. She was told to organize and file things away.
The first hour was rather monotonous. A lot of the things were speeding tickets or drunk driving reports. One was a domestic abuse situation that she read through a little because her curiosity got the best of her. She didn’t care if she got in trouble. It wouldn’t change the outcome of anything.
Just when she thought she was going to go crazy, she hit the jackpot. There was evidence from The Margaret Killer trial! There were statements, photographs, and to her surprise, a video. She didn’t remember there being a video. Must have been the day I couldn’t make it!
Her curiosity got the best of her again. She popped the disc in to watch. It was at the Tommygun Tavern. The shots focused on the dance floor. At one time she saw Laura dancing with some guy. She remembered his name was Trey. He was good looking. Cassie fast forwarded to later in the evening. Laura wasn’t there anymore.
A Kiss Revealed Page 14
