Chapter 2

Saturday

08:30

Natalie attended the Adams’s double funeral on a chilly Saturday morning. It had rained all night and early in the morning, now it was a bit sunny with a chilly breeze blowing from the east. This kind of weather soothed Natalie but this morning she felt no soothing effect. She still blamed herself for the Adams’s deaths. Four days ago she had fainted and was ferried to the hospital by Jacob where she was told it was just shock that knocked her out. She could not go to her apartment since it was a crime scene, Natalie thought of taking Jacob’s offer but decide to rent a room at a motel. She thought of making funeral arrangements for the Adams’s but was told a relative had taken care of the rest. Since she had time to waste she decided to go and help, there, she met Janet’s mother’s sister Sarah. She was nice company, the two shared stories as they made arrangements and other funeral preparations. Natalie learnt that Janet ‘s adopted brother Mark was in Africa where he worked for a security company. Janet and Mark were not fond of each other and had not spoken to each other for years.The tale went on and on about Janet’s childhood. Natalie brought her focus back to the present where rain was about to fall.Janet ‘s workmates had attended, Evan and Jacob were in attendance too.

11:34

Natalie stood by Janet’s grave and swore to bring her killer to justice, the crowd had dwindled to less than a dozen people, mostly Adams family members and relatives. “ I hope you catch him before me “, a hoarse voice bellowed from her left side. A tall masculine African American man dressed in a black suit and overcoat stood next to her, his face showed no emotion and he did not look at her but the grave. “You are her brother? “ she asked but did not turn to properly look at him. She sensed that he was the kind that did not like being looked at. “Are you Janet’s brother? “ she asked again when no answer was given. She decided to look at her company but discovered he was no longer by her side. She scanned the grave yard with her eyes but did not see him.

11:37

Natalie decided to go to her motel, she had to rest because she was expected to be working on Monday. What did he mean by catch them before I did? Where did he go? Why didn’t he introduce himself? Where was he when we made arrangements? What is he going to do to whoever is found guilt of this murder? Those were the questions Natalie had in her head as Jacob drove her to the motel. “Who was that man “, Jacob asked. “I don’t know, I think he is Janet’s brother,” she answered and silence prevailed for the whole journey. Jacob dropped Natalie at the motel and drove back to the precinct, he was still on the clock. As soon as Natalie closed her room’s door, her body reminded her she needed rest. She went out cold as soon as her head hit the pillow.