“She’s dead,” Jason said, turning and looking into the eyes of Satch. “My sister . . . is dead.”
84
The funerals for Dr. Braxton Waters and Jana Rich Waters were officiated together at the First United Methodist Church. At least five hundred people attended.
The front page of the Advertiser-Gleam lauded Jana as a hero who’d saved her brother, Jason, from certain death by taking the bullets meant for him. The article, written by Kisha Roe, also labeled Jason a hero.
“Not only did Mr. Rich obtain a defense verdict for his sister, he solved the mystery,” Kisha wrote in her story, concluding, “Though Jackson Burns will never be tried for the murder of Dr. Waters, his actions in the aftermath clearly demonstrate his guilt.”
Later, after most of the visitors had left the cemetery, Jason, Niecy, Nola, and a few others stayed behind and watched a crew lower the caskets into the ground. The two daughters cried as they threw dirt on the graves. For days, Niecy had been chatty and hyper and had to be put on a sedative to sleep, while Nola had barely uttered a word since learning of her mother’s death.
Both of their parents were dead. Both murdered. It was too much for any child to bear. Jason honestly didn’t know how anyone could withstand such a burden. He was taking it day by day, but he was worried for their futures.
Eventually, Chase escorted the girls to her car.
“I’ll be behind you,” Jason said.
“OK,” Chase said, kissing his cheek.
Once the funeral workers and burial laborers had all left and Jason was alone by his sister’s grave, he cleared his throat. “Jana, there’s so much . . . I wish we could have discussed. So much I would like to have said.” Jason wiped his eyes and peered back at Chase’s car. “I’ll do my best to make sure the girls will be OK. They’re struggling now . . . we all are . . .” He hoped he sounded thoughtful and not crazed or desperate. “Jana, I meant what I said when you were . . . dying.” He kissed his hand and placed it on the dirt that covered his sister’s final resting place. “I love you very much.”
He wiped his eyes. “I always will.”
Jason drove back to Mill Creek, his mind a jumbled, exhausted mess. He knew that his nieces were going to need him more now than ever. And once the shock was over, the real hurt would set in. Their father was dead. Their mother was dead. And they were living with an uncle they barely knew, who battled alcoholism. And there was also the matter of a certain Sand Mountain meth czar who, according to Satch Tonidandel, still wanted a word with Jason.
“He said he’d let me know when he wants to meet,” Satch had said.
As he stepped out of his car, he saw Chase waiting on the steps.
“Where are the girls?” Jason asked.
“Satch took them down to the waterfront store. They’re going to buy some bait and go fishing in his boat.”
Jason plopped down next to her. “That’s a good idea.”
“You OK?” she asked.
“No,” Jason said.
“I have a thought, if you can spare a little bit of energy.”
“I’m up for anything that will take my mind off . . . everything.”
“I think this may do the trick.”
Jason followed her around the house and down to the boathouse.
A canoe had been tied to the pier.
“Chase?” Jason started, but she took his hand and dragged him toward the waiting boat. They climbed inside and took seats opposite each other.
Chase reached into her pullover and pulled out a yellow wildflower. She smelled it and then held it out to Jason. “Will you . . .”
Jason felt his heart rate speed up as he took the flower in his hands and tucked it into the folds of her hair. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
“Been a while since we’ve been down to the creek.” Then she leaned in for a kiss, and as his lips brushed hers, he breathed in the intoxicating scent of berries, sweat, and wildflowers.
In Jason Rich’s mind, he envisioned himself taking the final steps across a long and rickety bridge. “Yes, it has.”
EPILOGUE
A week after the funerals, Satch Tonidandel knocked on Jason’s door at 8:30 a.m. Nola was in school, and Niecy had decided to study at JaMoka’s coffee shop downtown.
“Tyson Cade wants you to meet him at the Alder Springs Grocery at ten a.m. sharp,” Satch said.
“Today?” Jason asked.
“Yes. He’s promised no trouble but says you gotta come alone.”
Jason sighed. “Do you think that’s wise, Satch?”