Chapter 21

As they walked into the hotel lobby, Melissa quietly said to Ann, "Wow, this place is nice."

"I don't think it's any nicer than the one we stayed in when we came to talk to your parents," Arlene said.

"Yeah, but I was stressed out of my mind those two weeks. I guess I really didn't appreciate how nice it was."

"Me, too," from Melissa. "But now we don't have to worry. Nobody can take us from Jeff."

"I want to see my family," Jennie said, "but I hope my dad doesn't try anything."

"If he does, Dad will take care of everything, just like he did last time," Arlene assured them, but there was worry in her voice.

As soon as their meager amount of luggage — one hanging bag and one small case each — was loaded on a cart, they were escorted to their suites. They all met in one of the suites as Diana looked at her watch. "Okay, the time difference means that it's almost eight-thirty local time. We can rest, or nap for an hour, then an hour to get ready, and thirty minutes to drive to the church. I don't know whether this viewing is just for family or not..."

"It doesn't matter," Jeff broke in. "Fred will let us in, if it is. I just want to make sure he knows we're there. We'll stay out of the way, and get a seat in the church. Unless I miss my guess, there will be more people there than the church will hold. Fred knows a lot of people. This is the south, they'll come and support him."

Arlene hugged Jeff. Looking up at his face, she asked, "Is it all right if Jennie and Melissa let their folks know that we're in Atlanta. They both want to see their families if we have time this afternoon."

Jeff sighed. "Yeah, I knew this was coming. Talking with them on the phone from Colorado doesn't bother me, but I've got a little business to take care of this afternoon. And yes, by all means, see your families — under one condition," he admonished. "Diana goes with one of you, and Laura with the other. Better yet, Helen, Ann and Arlene go as well. And I want a promise out of you two," he said looking at Jennie and Melissa, his voice changing. "At the first sign of trouble — the first sign, I want you to get in the vehicle and leave, and call me on the cell."

By the time Jeff had finished his rules, Helen realized that she had been holding her breath. "Yes, Alpha," she teased, to break the tension a little. "Your wives will all come back home with us. We love these two," she said, smiling at the girls, "as much as you do."

"I'm sorry," Jeff said, "but our hold on them is tentative until they become eighteen and have an adult say in things. And, I feel for their parents. Probably, the girls would have been married in a year or two — at most — and gone anyway, but still their daughters have left. It just came a little early at seventeen, not to mention suddenly, but until they're eighteen, I'm uncomfortable with visits."

Jeff grabbed both of them and hugged them tightly. "Please be careful what you say, and you can bet that your parents will be pushing you for details. Get your stories straight about your lives with us before you get there."

"We know, Husband," Jennie and Melissa chorused. Each soul-kissed their husband, then the four girls, without apparent consultation, headed as a group for the other suite.

There was only a small number of family in the church when they walked in. Jeff spotted Fred sitting near the open casket and stopped in front of his friend, who had been sitting with his eyes closed. Realizing that someone was near, he looked up at Jeff.

"My gosh, Jeff. I didn't expect you to be here all the way from Colorado." When Fred stood up and put out his hand, Jeff ignored it and hugged him.

"I'm sorry, Fred. And I'm sorry we weren't here earlier. We didn't hear until last night."

As they pulled back from each other, Fred paused for a second. "Last night? How in the world did you manage to get a flight that quickly?"

"Well, I have a friend who owns a jet, and he was good enough to roust out his pilots on short notice. We've only been here a couple of hours. I hope you don't mind our coming in during family time; we didn't make it for the regular viewing."

"Nonsense. I don't have a big family, anyway. The cops were my family." Turning toward the casket and Brenda, he continued, with a catch in his voice. "I still can't believe she's gone. I thought it would be me to go first. I had gained so much weight since I retired, but she never did. We were at the mall. We had just sat down at the food court, because she said she wasn't feeling well. She never said anything else; just slumped down and was unconscious. She lived a few hours at the hospital. The doctor said it was a massive heart attack. She never had any symptoms or anything. She just ... died," he finished, tears filling his eyes.

Diana and Arlene hugged the retired detective and told him how sorry they were. When they were finished consoling him, Jeff was blinking rapidly, and Fred had given up and pulled out a tissue. Diana and Arlene dug in their purses for their tissues, as well.

Jeff cleared his throat. "I have some people with me that I want you to meet. This is Jennie, and this is Melissa. They're my family now. They are both my legal charges, and are living with us, as is everyone here."

"It's nice to meet you," Fred started, but got hugs from the girls, as well.

"These next two are mother and daughter: Laura, my assistant, and her daughter, Ann."

Wilson didn't even bother trying to shake hands with them, just accepted their hugs and condolences.

"And last but not least, as they say, our teacher — and her qualifications are beyond anything you could imagine — Doctor Helen Boswell."

After Helen had hugged him and talked for a moment, Jeff continued, "We're going to go have a seat in the front, while we still can. When we came in, the police cars were already lining up; there must have been two blocks of them already. Shortly, there is going to be standing room only."

"Yeah, I think the whole department came to the viewing. I balled my eyes out in front of just about all of them."

"How long were you two together?"

"Thirty-one years last July."

After a moment, "Okay, we'll be down in the church. We'll see you after the graveside services."

"Thanks, Jeff. And thank all of you," he said turning to the others.

The way the church was set up, there was a slightly raised stage running across the front, with a podium for the pastor in the center. To the right side of the stage, there was an area usually used by the choir. During funerals, this area was designated for immediate family, and could be curtained off for privacy by pulling the curtain partway across the stage. An additional area on one side of the front where the congregation usually sat was also designated for extended family.

When Jeff and his family started for the congregation area, Wilson stood. "Jeff, you people sit in the family area there," he said pointing to the extended family area.

One of the ushers heard, and seated them on the second row. In a few minutes, the curtain was pulled across the front of the stage to give the family privacy for a few minutes before the funeral started. When it opened, the preacher was standing in the pulpit. Jeff decided that he was a class act. His sermon, consisting mostly of interludes from Brenda's life, was quickly over. There was one soloist, and the service was done.

Jeff sat intently, barely paying attention when Diana said something to him as the curtain was again pulled across the stage, and the pastor stepped through a gap in it to tell the audience where the graveside service would be. Then said the funeral director would be outside to assist in lining up the funeral possession.

Jeff suddenly handed Diana the set of keys to the rental SUV he had driven. "One of the pallbearers is sick. He looks like he's got a little age on him. I could see him through a crack in the curtain. They're helping him now. I'm going to take his place, so the service won't be interrupted." With that, he got up, casually mounted the two steps to the stage, and followed the pastor through the curtain.

The women looked at each other. "What's going on?" Laura asked.

Diana turned to the rest. "Jeff said that one of the pallbearers is sick. He's going to volunteer. Let's wait a minute or two to see if he's coming back. Then we will go on and get into the vehicles."

When Jeff didn't come back, Diana led the group on out of the church.

Inside, Jeff found a frustrated funeral director. Walking up behind him, he put his hand on the man's shoulder. "I'll fill in," he quietly said into his ear.

The man spun around. "Great. My partner is sick and couldn't make it today, then one of the pallbearers took ill..."

"I'll get this organized, if you need to go on outside."

"I do, indeed. Thank you," he effusively said, as he stuck out his hand.

"No problem," Jeff said, to a retreating back.

Jeff looked around at the other pallbearers. Whoever picked this group, must have decided to have all the uncles, of cousins, or something, without thought to whether they were physically able to do this.

Everyone seemed reluctant. Jeff pointed at two of them. "You two, please take the front." Positioning the others, putting the weakest looking person in the middle in front of himself, he continued, "Okay, if you haven't done this before, expect the casket to be heavy. You shorter people are going to have to really work hard or you will put the whole load on the rest of us. It's going to be awkward for you, just do the best you can. We'll carry the casket down the steps and place it in the hearse. Then at the graveside we'll take it from the hearse, walk slowly to the grave and carefully put it on the support apparatus over the grave. Again, walk slowly, watch where you're going. For goodness sake, don't stumble; we don't want to dishonor Brenda and Fred. Everyone in position — now lift."

Heartened by his direction, even the two short ones carried a good bit of the weight, putting both hands on their handles and straining at the awkward angle for them. Miraculously, they made it down the side steps and to the hearse without a bobble.

After the funeral director closed the doors of the hearse, he said, "Okay, we'll meet at the graveside. Without my partner, I didn't have anyone to bring the vehicle for the pallbearers."

Jeff went looking for his women as the funeral procession formed up.

Later, as they stood around after the graveside service waiting for the family to disburse, Diana asked, "Are you going to speak to Fred again before we go?"

"Yeah, and I need to talk to him a few minutes. I'm going to ask him to eat with us. His son and daughter are already gone. I don't know whether he has plans or not. He said something about both of his kids living out of state and would be leaving shortly after the funeral."

Diana frowned, "Are you sure, Jeff? Surely he would want to be with family right now."

"I don't know, Hon. It's just a feeling I have. Maybe everybody is thinking the same thing, and he doesn't have anything to do for the rest of the day. He doesn't need to be alone right now. His kids are almost thirty, and have been gone for years. I don't want to think about him sitting in that house all afternoon, all alone."

As the mourners thinned out, Jeff walked up to Fred from behind and put his hand on the detective's shoulder. "Fred, my family and I are going to eat. We would be flattered if you would come with us, but, of course, if you're going to be with family..."

Fred snorted. "Family? I sat and cried for three solid days with family — some I haven't seen in years. I'm sick of family, and they're sick of me. Rob and Angel are on their way back home, and when I walk into that empty room..."

"Do you have your car with you?"

"No, I came with the kids. I told them I would catch a ride back."

"Okay, you've got a ride. We'll just hang back over by the tree there," he said motioning to where his group was standing in the shade. "When you get ready, we'll go find something to eat. Take your time."

When they got to the restaurant, Jeff noted that Fred was a little unsteady getting out of the SUV. "When was the last time you put a good meal into your stomach?" Jeff asked, noting the pallor of his friend's face.

Fred stood waiting as the women got out of the vehicles. "I ate a little when someone stuck it in my hand. This has really kicked my ass. The last few days just doesn't seem real. It seems like someone else's nightmare."

"Okay. Let's get you inside and get a steak into you. A couple of beers probably wouldn't hurt. Then I've got a proposition for you. No details today. I wouldn't want to disrespect Brenda's memory by discussing business right after her funeral. I'll just give you a heads up on something I've been thinking about, and leave my card with you. At a more appropriate time, we'll talk."

The women, having heard what Fred said, took over then and got him inside, mothering him, teasing him a little. Jeff didn't even get to sit beside him; Arlene and Ann did. Before Fred quite knew what hit him, he was recounting "war" stories about his years with the police department. A couple of times, he even chuckled a little bit, before his wife's death would override, again. The women and girls continued to prompt him and talk with him, encouraging him to tell his stories. They were hanging on every word. Jeff leaned back and relaxed, proud of his harem, watching them try to ease Fred's sorrow.

After the meal, Jeff got Fred in the vehicle, then stood in the parking lot talking with his mates. "It will take about an hour and a half to get Fred back to Athens, then on over to Melissa and Jennie's..."

Diana interrupted. "Jeff, don't worry. I'm just as uptight about this as you are — we all are — but Jennie and Melissa need to see their families. They only live a couple of blocks from each other. If anything goes awry, we can get back in the SUV and be gone in a hurry. Plus, I brought a little persuasion with me," she said, opening her purse and pulling a couple of pictures partway out. "Just a reminder that we can dial 911 and start a whole lot of trouble for them if we have to."

"Shit, I hope it doesn't come to that. I'm not mad at their fathers. They were doing anything that I'm not doing. I feel guilty enough about this as it is. But I will not give up my wives," he finished, hugging Jennie and Melissa.

Melissa looked up at Jeff as she hugged him. "I don't think my dad will cause any trouble. When I talked to Mom on the phone, she said he was going to take the afternoon off from work to make sure he was there when I got there. I told her that we were concerned that he would cause trouble, but she said, he wasn't mad, and was just glad that you guys didn't push it and have him put in jail. She said that he just wanted to see me. I think everything will be fine with my family. It's Jennie's dad that I'm worried about."

Jennie, also still hugging Jeff, spoke up, "Mom said Dad was still mad, and said he was going to take off work to talk to me. If he starts anything, I promise, I'll leave. With all of us there, he won't be able to stop me. Don't worry; I am going home with my husband tonight."

As the rest got into their SUV, Diana hugged her husband. "I'll go with Jennie, and Laura will go with Melissa. Ann, Arlene and Helen will be with one or the other of us. I'll handle whatever goes down. Don't worry about us."

"Just don't kill anybody," Jeff, mostly teased.

Diana grinned and got into her vehicle.

When Jeff got into the SUV, Fred said, "Hey, if you guys have something to do, I can get Mark to run me home."

As Jeff started his vehicle, he glanced at Wilson. "It's just a little family thing. We're worried about Jennie and Melissa's fathers causing trouble, and were just getting our plans together."

Fred adjusted his seat to give him more room. "Looks like a lot has happened since I loaned you that van. I was worried about you that day. That was a mighty sick look on your face."

Jeff sat for a moment watching his wives and Helen back out of the parking space. He followed them out of the lot, then sat for a moment watching them as they pulled out into traffic, and eventually drove away down the street.

Jeff cleared his throat, looked at his friend, then headed for Fred's house. "When this is a little further behind us, we'll sit down and have a long conversation..."

Fred broke in with, "Damnit, Jeff, I may be retired, but I'm still a cop at heart. One major thing that helps make a good cop is a driving curiosity — as you certainly know. It helped make me a good detective on the force, and it sure didn't hurt with my detective agency, either. I've heard just enough, and have seen enough to pique my curiosity. How did those girls get to be your legal responsibility? And what the fuck is going on?" he asked, staring at Jeff as they took the entrance ramp to I-285.

"I hope we get to 29 before this thing become a parking lot," he said as he increased his speed to merge.

"Jeff, you're fucking stalling. What the fuck is going on with that har... ? Oh, shit. Oh shit," he said as things jelled in his mind.

Jeff ignored him, his face set, void of expression.

Fred glanced out the window, then back at Jeff. Crossing his hands on his belly, he chuckled, then began to laugh, more and more. Finally, he said, "Well, you always were different. And I cracked my window back there so I could eavesdrop. My body has gone to shit, but my ears are still as good as they ever were. You're worried about Jennie and Melissa's fathers trying to get them back. If you have legal custody, then that's what that conversation had to be about.

"And those hugs could have been hugs for a step-dad, or ... for someone a little different. Oh, shit," he chuckled again, "I can't believe this. Do they all have PMS at the same time of the month?" he rhetorically asked. Then, "How in the hell do you... ?" But he broke down into chuckles without finishing.

Jeff started to say something, when Fred gestured, "Take the next exit."

Jeff changed lanes, then glanced at his buddy. "I thought we were going to your house in Athens."

"I don't have a house any more. I'm staying in a motel. Brenda and I sold our house right after I sold my business." As they pulled onto the street, Fred gestured ahead of them. "There's a Dairy Queen on the right. Let's pull in and get a cup of coffee."

"Uh, I really need to get back..."

"Unless I miss my guess, that woman of yours — well, that main woman of yours, Diana, will take care of things. I suspect that if you get involved there will be a lot more hassle. Now, you've got a phone and every one of them seems to have one, as well. Best to just let them handle it. Besides, like I said before, you just piqued my curiosity, then dropped the subject. That ain't gonna work."

Jeff turned his indicator on and turned into the lot. Pulling into a parking place and shutting the motor off, he said, "You just buried your wife. Now isn't the time to talk business..."

Fred started to open the door, but stopped and turned to Jeff. "We need to have an understanding. I spent thirty-one years with the best woman in the world. She was my wife, my lover, and my best friend. Mourning for her will never end. I've already thought about eating my gun. Going back to that motel room doesn't leave a lot for me to do.

"I'd hate to meet Brenda again one of these days and have to face her after turning belly up because I couldn't handle her death. She would be pissed. Now if you've got something to talk about that will get my mind off what's happen to me — even for a little while — you'll be doing me a favor. Just don't mind me if I spring a leak every now and then. I'll try not to embarrass you too much. Now let's go get some coffee. They have a few tables on the side under those trees," he said, gesturing, "where we can be private."

After getting their coffee and an ice cream, they walked out the side door to sit under the shade of an old oak that had miraculously been left when the restaurant had been built.

As they relaxed, Jeff said, "Now what's this about selling your house?"

"Well, let me back up a bit. About a year ago, I was approached by one of the insurance companies about property recovery. We're talking about big-money thefts. They had already had two agencies try to find their stuff, and of course, thought that the owner might have something to do with it — fraud. I missed on a couple, then hit two really big ones in a row.