Epilogue

Albany, New York State

5 Months later

A gentle breeze blew over the height, stirring the scent of new growth from the trees that stood amidst the quiet gravestones in the cemetery on the edge of town. The funeral party stood at the graveside as the burial service was read out by the priest, the ancient words of the liturgy rolling in sonorous tones from his lips.

Martin had heard the words a few times in his life and was able to let his attention wander elsewhere. Claudia's hand was warm in his, and he felt love for her, and contentment of a job well done. Gerry stood beside him on his right, his eyes never leaving the face of the sprightly elderly woman standing next to the priest at the head of the grave.

"Look at my girl," he said softly. "Isn't she beautiful? I can see Sally in her."

Martin nodded and smiled in recollection. He'd accompanied the detective from the city force when they paid a call on Josephine Maguire Morgan. The elderly lady had wept tears of joy when the news of the discovery of her father's remains had been broken to her. He'd seen her whole story in her face. All the long years of her life had been filled with growing up, marrying; working through wartime and peace to raise a family; her mother then her brother dying. All the years spent, never knowing what had happened to her father. Now she was older than her father had ever been.

Gerry sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Her face may be lined and her hair may be gray, Marty, but to me, she's still the little girl I left behind back in 1929."

"She's a lovely woman, Gerry," he said quietly, trying not to draw attention to the conversation. "You must be proud."

"I am. And look at her kids!"

Josephine's children stood beside her; a middle-aged man and woman, with their older children present with them to witness the interment of the grandfather they'd only heard of in family legend. Martin smiled inwardly. They all looked mildly baffled, even as they were impressed by the solemnity of the occasion.

Their Grandmother Sally's grave had been opened, her remains carefully removed and placed in a new coffin with those of her husband. They would lie together now, with a new headstone to mark their final union.

The final words were uttered, the coffin lowered into the grave, and Josephine stepped forward, supported by her son, to cast the first earth. Suddenly a beam of sunlight shone down from the heavens, illuminating Gerry alone, enfolding him in a warm radiance. Gerry turned his face to the sky, a pure blue cloudless vault, and his smile was almost as bright as the sun. "Hi, Sally!" he called. "I'm coming, doll!" He turned and his hand rested briefly on Martin and Claudia's shoulders. "Thanks for everything, folks. If you ever need help, call on me." He winked. "Only not too soon, hey?"

"We will, Gerry," Claudia murmured.

"Good luck, old son," Martin said with a smile.

Gerry turned his face back to the heavens. "Sure is a beautiful day to fly!" he said with a broad smile and faded slowly away, finally at peace.

The End

About the Author:

A native of the County of Norfolk, England, Adrian (44) attended a school in a village right on the North Sea coast before moving on to further studies at college and university. After an early career in the leisure/tourism industry, he worked in the Inland Revenue and local government, before starting his own courier business.

His hobbies include history and archaeology, science and technology, and he has traveled in Britain, the USA, Canada, Hungary and France. He lives within a stone's throw of the beach with his two adorable dogs, Ellie and Suzy.