Chapter 25

Mr. Bell and Colleen dealt calmly with the details, only asking me what I wanted from time to time, to keep things moving. I didn't fully understand the way a Federal judge could grease the skids until I watched Colleen blow right past the local police, and state attorney. Every time things bogged down in the slightest, Colleen would mention the name Judge Cleveland Jones, and the delays would disappear like smoke in a whirl wind.

Mr. Bell kept things away from me that might hurt. His thoughtfulness was amazing. I tried to tell him I was strong and capable, but he kept handling things as they came at us, and pretty soon the official part of our task was complete.

Colleen contacted the local mortuary, and got them to pick up Carol, Joan, and Jill for burial. I did not wish to view the bodies before cremation, and Colleen just smiled and nodded sadly when I said to have the inurnment immediately.

I was in a very bad spot. With no idea what relatives existed, I wanted to remain out of touch, out of sight, and out of mind until everyone that thought they were owed a viewing, funeral, and graveside service, found other things to concentrate on. Officially, I was in protective care until those responsible could be apprehended and were safely behind bars.

We all thought the official story gave me breathing space. I wasn't up for relatives, especially the kind I'd never met.

Eventually I had to return to the house and deal with the belongings that had to be disposed of. Colleen and Rebecca accompanied me. Mr. Bell and Millie had other things to do for a few hours. Jack got a team together and we went to work.

Carol lived well within her means. I was surprised when Colleen shared the bank statements. Other than essentials, Carol hardly ever spent money, especially on herself. Her wardrobe was dated, clean, pressed, and ready for use. The dresser was neat, organized and spotless. Her bathroom showed signs of recent use. She must have been getting ready to go out when the shooters showed up.

The instant those evil bastards popped into my head, I couldn't get them out. Jack chose a very bad time to call, and I unloaded on him. "Have you got any line on the shooters?" I pressed, pushed, promised huge bonuses and pressed some more. He kept his calm, which made one of us, and when he rang off, Colleen and Rebecca tag teamed me with comfort and kisses.

The bank statements were current, and currently balanced. Carol paid everyone on time, and kept small balances set aside, in sub accounts, for special needs. There was just enough to pay the funeral expenses, and close out the account. So I checked and confirmed I was signatory on all Carol's accounts, and handled all her bills, including the mortuary.

Rebecca and Colleen went on a scavenger hunt, and found Carol hid cash all over her bedroom. Apparently she worried about Tim's spending habits, and kept backup funds hidden for a rainy day. I asked them to gather it all up, and put it in Colleen's purse. I called the church Carol wrote small checks to every month, and donated the RAV4 and Sienna van to them. I told them the titles were signed and the cars were still under warranty, and asked them to please send someone to pick them up immediately.

Colleen and Rebecca sat me down and spent some time playing house to get my mind off the sadness, after the pastor and church secretaries came by and picked up both vehicles. I had packed all of the girl's clothes into the back of the van, and sent that along with the kitchen things, to be used for those down on their luck.

Colleen wrote the church a twenty-thousand dollar check from the trust account, and thanked them for caring. We asked them to be sure and say nothing about seeing me, claiming that it wasn't safe until the killers were jailed.

They were so agreeable that I donated all of the living room furniture to the youth department, the bedrooms and dining set to their needy ministry along with all the linens, and soft goods. The church custodian came and took the tools, lawnmower, and work benches from the garage, and the house was ready to be closed and sold.