Billy was the only teenager, and he stayed glued to his mother’s side during the entire service. The minister conducting the eulogy obviously hadn’t met Derek. After twenty minutes of generalizations, followed by a few funeral-specific scriptures, the service was over.
Mrs. Chaney just stared ahead, shell-shocked.
Her husband had no expression at all.
It was Jimmy who was holding it together. He helped his mother to her feet and led the way out the door.
“I hate funerals,” Janie muttered.
Rafe could only shake his head. The minister who’d performed his dad’s funeral had been a family friend. He’d cried during the service, and Rafe overheard his mother comfort the man with “It’ll be all right. Now, now.”
Of the twenty at the funeral today, only eight attendees made it to the burial. Nathan missed it. Rafe had seen the other officer take a call and leave soon after.
In the end, Rafe even acted as a pallbearer.
CHAPTER TWENTY
IT SEEMED TO Janie that being by Rafe’s side was becoming a way of life. Yet, after Derek’s funeral, she couldn’t imagine anyone she’d rather be with. Only he could understand the sense of loss she felt.
“I’m surprised Justin wasn’t there.”
Rafe’s phone beeped. Keeping his eyes on the road and one hand firmly on the steering wheel, he answered, “Salazar.”
Janie got to listen to another one-sided conversation.
“Yes, he was at the funeral. No, he left early and didn’t attend the burial.”
She guessed he was talking about Nathan.
“No, I’ve not tried to call him. If he’s not answering, then he’s obviously busy. If I hear from him, I’ll give you a call.”
“Nathan missing?” Janie asked.
“Apparently he’s not answering his phone. He was due at court thirty minutes ago. I gather there’s one unhappy judge who’s threatening to suspend Nathan.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It is. As for Justin, he didn’t dare show at the funeral. If he’d come undercover, alone, it would have raised questions. And if he’d come as himself, well, there’d be even more questions.”
Janie shook her head. “It’s not easy being a cop.”
“No, but when you’re doing a job that makes the world a better place, a safer place for our children, then the hardship is worth it.”
“Children mean a lot to you.”
Rafe was silent for a moment. “I’ve never told you about my brother, have I?”
“No. Gloria at the zoo mentioned something about you losing a brother, but you said it wasn’t her story to tell.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve shared the story with anyone. It’s one of the reasons why solving Brittney’s case means so much to me. I couldn’t help but think, as we said goodbye to Derek, that he was the last thread to Brittney. That we buried her whereabouts with him.”