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There was a light, late spring rain the morning of Camilla's funeral. The smell of the earth was damp, moist and permeated the senses. Michaela stood with Beau Massie and Adam Patrick Lee behind a row of metal chairs where family and close friends were seated. It was a somber crowd. Mic strained her neck and looked around for Slade McKane or any other members of the RPD. There were several police vehicles within view. She and Slade had worked until the wee hours of the morning reviewing her old case files. Nothing had turned up to indicate she was in grave danger. It was customary for the police to attend the services of someone who'd died violently. Law enforcement always hoped the actual perpetrator or perpetrators would show up to admire their handiwork.
Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond's oldest and famous cemetery, was the graveyard home of Virginia bluebloods. It also was the burial place of notables such as Presidents John Tyler, Jefferson Davis, and James Madison and General J.E.B. Stuart. As the minister droned on and on about the virtues of a good woman, Mic wished she’d worn lower heels. She focused on the spring beauty around her and the lush green of spring. She jumped as she felt an arm circle her waist. It was Slade. She nestled back into the comfort of his body and lowered her umbrella. She whispered quietly, "I wish this minister would get the job done. He keeps going on and on and on."
Slade touched Mic on the shoulder and said, "Shhh... You need to mind your manners," he said reproachfully with a twinkle in his eye.
"Do you see anything or anyone suspicious?" Mic whispered. "I've been looking, but honestly, I haven't seen anything questionable so far," she reported.
"There are a lot of people here so it's hard to tell. Lieutenant Stoddard and another officer are on the other side checking people. Chief Herndon is here, not particularly on duty, but to pay his respects to General Rothrock."
Michaela nodded. "I hope we get a lead."
"Will you to hush up? You’re disturbing the ceremony," Dottie said as she turned around from her seat. She glared at both of them. "Show a little respect, would you?" she hissed angrily.
Mic glared back at Dottie. She knew the reason Dottie was mad was because she wasn't in on the conversation. She leaned down and whispered into Dottie's ear, "I'll catch you up after the service."
Dottie nodded her head and didn't turn around again. Kathryn Lee gave Michaela a quick smile and reached for her husband's hand. She could tell the congressman was getting impatient, as his leg was moving constantly. Mic wished their granddaughter, Alex, was around to help her grandmother, but Alex had returned to New Orleans for a few months to help out at Crescent City Medical Center where she was legal counsel. Mic noticed Congressman Lee as he constantly shifted in the chair. She’d heard stories about him and his impatience for years. Kathryn nudged her husband. Mic knew Kathryn thought the funeral had gone on long enough. And, she was afraid her husband would explode.
Slade grinned at the congressman’s impatience, nudged Michaela and smiled at her. Michaela turned to look at him and saw someone about hundred yards away behind a tree. "Slade, do you see the guy over there behind the big oak tree?" she whispered.
Slade peered through the crowd and searched the trees. Sure enough, there was a man in a blue shirt hidden behind the wide trunk of the tree. He nodded and whispered quietly, "Yeah, I do." He moved to the back of the crowd and started walking swiftly around the circle of mourners, talking softly into his headset.
Mic focused her attention on the tree where she’d seen the man. He was still there. She caught a glimpse of Lieutenant Stoddard walking the opposite way and she knew they planned to converge upon the man. Her heart beat wildly and she thought how great it would be to catch the killers before anyone else died.
Her attention returned to the funeral and she noticed everyone was praying. She hoped that meant the funeral ceremony was over and thankfully, it was. Dottie stood and gave General Rothrock a big hug and told him she’d see him in a few minutes. The funeral guests were going to Dottie's mansion on Monument for a light lunch. She hoped Slade and Stoddard would be able to report that they had captured at least one of the killers.