Chapter Twenty: Grace's Funeral

I was passing back and forth in the room, my hands on my waist with my eyes wide open. This couldn't be happening, it's been 2 days and yet there was absolutely nothing.

"Mommy mommy look!" The shrill of my daughter's voice brought me back to reality.

She was trying to show me a new yoga move. Even though I was looking directly at her, my eyes were still vacant.

I vaguely recognise that Skye also entered the room, holding his toy fighter jet in his hands. "Whoosh!" He yelled maneuvering the toy in the air with his hands.

Their noise was beginning to overwhelm me. "That's enough you too." I suddenly snapped, sounding strict. They knew it was no longer time to joke around as both of them paused.

Liam sauntered into the room. "Hey what's going on here?" He asked, roaming his eyes around the room. He made eye contact with me and we shared a knowing look.

He crouched down and pulled the two kids into a hug. "Why don't you two go downstairs and play with Maria and let me and your mum talk okay?" He said in a soft voice.

The twins nodded and then skipped away with their toys. He walked up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me into a hug from behind.

"Honey what's wrong?" He asked, whispering into my ears.

I melted into his embrace. "I can't just sit here and do nothing. We're running out of time and I'm just here with nothing to do."

"You need to relax, I'm sure the police are on it."

He planted a soft kiss against my cheeks and then moved away. "The hearing is in 1 hour, are you coming?"

"What hearing?" I asked, slightly confused.

"The one you said you wanted to follow me to some days ago."

"Oh, I'm not feeling too well right now Liam so is it okay if I just-"

"It's fine, I completely understand. The past few days have been very traumatic, you need your rest. I'll be back for dinner." We shared a small forced kiss before he grabbed his briefcase and walked away, the sound of his footsteps getting fainter with each step he took.

I slowly made my way to the window and parted it open, looking down at him as he got into his car and drove out. I couldn't just stay here and do nothing, I had to act.

I backed away from the window and turned towards my wardrobe, picking out some new clothes. I changed into a simple black skirt and a black top.

As I was coming down from the stairs, I saw Mari playing with the kids. "Where are you going Bianca?" She asked with genuine concern.

"Just watch the kids for me okay? I'll be back before dinner."

Maria nodded and I saw my kids eyes fixed on me as I made my way out of the house.

Today was a bit gloomy, both for me and for the environment because it was very cloudy. Despite it being afternoon it still felt like we're in the early hours of the morning.

I had gotten Grace's house address from the hospital but now that I was here, it was hard to tell which house was her's.

Driving a car like mine into a neighborhood like this was probably not the best idea because I stuck out like a sore thumb. Everyone watched as I slowly drove through the place.

The house here looked poorly maintained and there were so many cracks on the road, even the gutters were clogged. It would be fair to call this place the slums.

I kept my eyes sharp, scanning through if I could see anything. I knew her house was somewhere around here but I didn't know which one. All I knew was that I was on the right street.

My legs quickly hit the brakes when I saw a small crowd gathering in front of a house up ahead. I smiled weekly and then pulled up, I know this has to be the place.

Walking as fast as my legs could carry me, I made my way to the house. They were having her funeral just like I suspected.

Lots of gloomy looking people were outside, some crying and others just staring into space. Her family members I assumed. As I paved my way through the crowd, I ended up at the back where there was a coffin and somebody leaning against it.

Her sister was crying, hugging the casket. Pouring some steel down my spine, I took small steps forward. "I'm so sorry for your loss," I said in a soft voice. "I could tell that she was a good person."

The crying ceased and she looked at me from the corner of her eyes. Her jaw tightened and her expression changed instantly. "What the hell are you doing here?" She asked me through gritted teeth.

"I came to pay my respects, I'm truly sorry for what happened to Grace."

A bitter scoff escaped from her. She violently grabbed my wrist and yanked me forward. "Sorry? Look over there." She pointed at a boy who looked no older than 18 who was wearing a black suit and crying.

"Is sorry going to bring back his mother?!" she pointed in the direction of a much older looking man. "Is sorry going to bring back his daughter?!"

She let go of my wrist. "Is sorry going to bring back my sister? Look around you! This is all your fault!"

I shook my head. "No that's not fair, I had no idea that she was going to get shot. I didn't even know her or even what you looked like until we met."

"What's going on here Regina?" The elderly looking man, their father asked.

Regina's eyes were puffy and red from all the crying. "It's nothing, just one of Grace's friends."

"If she and Grace were friends then why are two of you arguing?"

She wiped her tears with her hands. "She was just leaving."

I shook my head and step forward. "No Regina, I need to speak with you, please."

"Dad, please give us a moment."

The man looked between the two of us suspiciously before he left. She kissed her teeth. "You have 2 minutes."

"Regina, I know this is all hard for you, I know this is hard for your family, but please I need your help."

Her nostrils flared. "So this is what it's about? You want me to continue from where my sister stopped? My sister's life was put in danger because of you and she died because of you."

"My life is in danger too!" I emphasized, earning us some weird glances from people in attendance.

I froze and licked the tears off my lips. "I'm sorry for barging in here and causing a scene and disrespecting your sister's funeral but-"

"But what?"

I reached out and held her hands. "Don't you want justice for Grace?"

For a quick second there was a glint of hesitancy in her features. Her expression momentarily softened. I could see her throat bob as she swallowed the lump.

She snatched her arms away from my grip. "I don't want to be involved in any of this."

"So you're just going to let the person that killed your sister mercilessly get away with it?"

"The police will handle it they will do their job."

"Regina look at me, the police is useless. Those many years ago when I was almost killed what did the police do about it? What makes you think they'll do anything different for your sister? What makes you think the person that killed your sister isn't covering of the evidence as we speak?"

"Get out." Her words took me by surprise. It felt like a solid punch to the gut. I took a few steps backwards.

"You heard me, get. Out."

"Regina if you're worried about your life, if you're worried about protection or money I'll handle all that," I offered, trying to reason with her.

She smiled wickedly. "I don't want your money or your protection, what I want if for you to leave this place and never show your face here again."

I slipped my call card out of my bag and placed it on top of the casket. "If you ever change your mind, call me."

"That'll be never." Those are the words I heard as I left the place. The walk to my car was quiet and I couldn't help but stare into space.

When I slipped into my car, I gave the house one last glance and then tighten my grip on the steering wheel. I let out a growl of frustration and began to pound my hands against the wheel, granting each time I hit the wheel.

After I was done letting out my frustration I was ready to start my engines and move. Suddenly my phone rang.

My heart skipped the beat as I entertained the possibility of Regina changing her mind so quickly. "Hello?"

"Am I speaking with Bianca Black?" a feminine voice asked.

"Yes, why?"

"It's me detective Kate Brooks, there's a new lead on the case."