R. Edinger: Night Kill

“You think Kara took it?” Nick scoffed. “No way would she do that.”

“Last night three Knights of VanHelsing were killed right here in Bayport,” Andrew sat on the bed, defeated. He looked at Nick and continued, “It was a trap that they walked right into, not suspecting a thing. Storm said that Vlad Ravenclaw had gotten their real names from the book I recovered from Gothica castle.”

“Holy Sh-” Nick whistled. He was defensive again, “No way that Kara took the book and give it to the creepy vampire guy. She would not do it.” Nick felt sick now. He was suddenly unsettled and looked at Andrew, “She did take the book. F-.”

“We need to get that book back,” Andrew stood.

“How?” Nick asked.

“Dad!” they heard Chloe shout from the bottom of the stairs. “Come quick!”

Andrew and Nick both went down stairs. They went to the family room, but Chloe and Storm were not there. “In the kitchen,” Chloe shouted. Nick and Andrew went to the kitchen. Chloe had the television on. She and Storm were watching the local morning news program. The news anchor came on after a commercial and announced a breaking new’s story. She shared that in Bayport County, there had been suscpicious killings last evening. She added that the authorities were baffled and had no leads as to who was responsible for the slayings. Chloe and the others turned their attention from the screen and looked at Andrew. He just stared at the television with a blank expression on his face. He did not move or say a word.

“Dad?” Chloe asked softly.

Andrew turned and walked out of the kitchen. His lust for revenge and justice had gone terribly wrong. Andrew walked down the hallway. He so desperately wanted to put an end to the Knights of VanHelsing, that the Higgins family deaths took second place. Andrew ascended the stairs and went to his room. He was beaten.

The church was filled with mourners. There were civilians dressed in traditional black attire and law enforcement personnel in their dress uniforms. In front of the chapel was Talia’s flag draped casket. There was a photo of Talia in her Sheriffs uniform, on top of her casket. Father Michael stood somberly at the pulpit and looked out across the vastness of tearful faces. The sun was shining brightly through the narrow stained glass windows and cast its light and warmth for all. But it brilliance and pleasurable warmth paled in comparison to the tearful and somber remorse of those in the church.

Peter and Lisa sat next to Chloe. She had on a simple black dress. Peter nervously played with his tie and played with buttons of his black suit. Next to Chloe were Roxanne and Nick. Each was dressed in solemn black attire. The one who should have been there with them, Andrew, was missing. As far as the others knew, he was still locked away brooding in his room.

As the Father Michael spoke, Peter could hear weeping from behind, which in turn caused him to wipe the tears from his own eyes. Lisa was resting her head on Peter’s shoulder holding a handkerchief in one hand while holding his with the other. Roxanne was just sitting there quietly, staring at the casket. Nick sat there as if staring off into space. He was still in shock over Kara’s apparent betrayal. It really pissed him off that all this time she had been able to fool them all; him especially.

With all eyes now focused on the Father Michael, Andrew slipped quietly through the doors and sat down in the back. He easily slipped into the back pew. He wore a white rose on his suit of black. Andrew smiled briefly at the woman seated next to him.

Once Father Michael was finished, he asked if anyone wanted to say something about Talia. Andrew watched and waited to see if any one was going to step forward. He waited for several minutes. When no one came forward, Andrew decided to go.

Andrew got up and walked to the front of the church. When he got to the front, Chloe and the others were shocked to see him. Andrew took his place at the pulpit. He was about to speak, when Andrew caught a glimpse of Vlad Ravenclaw slip in and take a seat in the back where he had just been. Andrew drew a deep breath.

“When Sheriff Delsmann, Talia, and I first met it was not the most pleasant meeting I’ve ever had,” Andrew paused as a wave of respectful laughter spread across the sea of mourners. Andrew continued, “She actually despised me and was determined to put me in jail for interfering with the Higgins investigation.” Andrew paused to gather his thoughts. He looked at his daughter. Like the others, Chloe waited for his next word. Andrew went on, “But over time we had become friends and there was a mutual respect for each other.” Andrew stopped again, this time he looked at the photo of Talia. He remembered her that night at the hotel in Berlin. She was so thrilled to wear the evening dress. He also remembered their kiss. Andrew touched his lips. Talia absolutely hated him when they first met. But all changed when he saved her that night at JFK Prep. He also remembered Talia had saved his life that night at the park. Andrew sniffed back his tears and went on, “Talia gave her life for me. When she lay dying in my arms, Talia asked if I knew what true love was.” Andrew paused. Everyone waited with anticipation for the answer. Andrew did not disappoint them, “I said no and she told me that true love was ‘sacrifice’”.

Andrew left the pulpit and walked over to Talia’s casket. He gently caressed the cold metal with his hand. Talia had willingly sacrificed her life for his. Andrew broke down. Chloe and Peter rushed up and helped him to the pew where they were seated.

Father Michael took his place at the pulpit. He gave the blessing. Six deputies rose and took their places beside Talia’s casket. Together they walked her mortal remains towards the side doors of the church and into the waiting horse drawn hearse. Peter, Lisa, Chloe, Nick and Andrew walked out and stood behind the company of Sheriffs deputies, the honor guard, the mayor and other city officials. The rest of the mourners filed out of church and joined them. Father Michael took his place at the head of the processional. The hearse driver gave his noble steed the command and the processional began its march through the church cemetery.

The funeral processional wound its way through the cemetery and finally came to a freshly dug grave overlooking the lake below. The honor guard marched in formation and came to a halt at the right side of the grave. They immediately came to ‘order arms’ and stood, stone-faced at attention. Father Michael took his place at the head of the gravesite as the pallbearers removed the casket from the horse drawn hearse. They carried the casket and set it down. Andrew, along with his daughter and the others, took their seats as the other mourners remained standing. It started to snow.

The snow was getting heavier now, and it soaked Andrew’s overcoat as he sat there staring at the casket.

“The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want,” Father Michael began the graveside service. “He maketh me lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside still waters. He restores my soul. Thou preparest a table before me in the presesence of my enemies, my cup overflows, even though I walk through the valley of death, thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff comfort me, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”

Andrew found little comfort in the words. He could not shake the image of Talia in his arms. The look in her eyes would forever be etched in his mind. His pain was reflected in the faces of the other mourners.

Father Michael stepped aside and the honor guard marched to the head of the grave. They did a right wheel and now faced the lake. The ‘ready’ command was given. The honor guard came to the ready position. Then the order came to ‘aim’, they did with expert precision. Finally the ‘fire’ command came. The silence was broken with the report of gunfire. Each time the honor guard fired, the rage inside of Andrew grew.