25
Julia took her hand from the doorjamb, stunned. She’d just had a vision of the man who murdered Kay. She’d felt the gunshot that mortally wounded her. The agony in Julia’s chest subsided enough that she could breathe. Courtney, Mona, and Susan were drying their eyes, too preoccupied to notice.
Julia masked her pain. She decided this wasn’t the time or the place to tell Courtney. She hadn’t seen the killer’s features through the shadows, so she couldn’t identify him. She walked slowly over to the others.
“Ladies?” Mel the funeral director appeared in the hallway. “The guests have arrived, and it’s time for you to take your seats.”
“Thanks.” Courtney straightened, wiping her eyes, and so did Mona and Susan.
“Please, follow me.” Mel turned, and Mona, Susan, and Courtney followed him down the hallway to the large parlor. Julia took up the rear, trying to compose herself.
Heads began to turn when they entered the parlor, and Julia was touched that the crowd was so large.
There were about eighty mourners dressed in black, and each wore a button with Kay’s face on a daisy background.
She spotted Alex off to the side, somber in a dark tie and suit, sitting with the Shenandoah Preservation group, which included a class of adorable schoolchildren in matching orange T-shirts. Paul was nowhere in sight.
Julia could see Courtney scan the crowd for him, then they went to their chairs in the front row, next to each other.
A white program was on the seat, and its cover showed the same lovely portrait of Kay.
Julia bent over and picked it up, feeling the residual ache of the gunshot.
She hid it from Courtney and sat down next to her.
Julia’s head roiled with questions. Was Kay trying to tell her who the killer was?
If so, why not give a clear picture? Or send a name, even?
Or was it Julia’s fault? Maybe she wasn’t able to interpret or receive whatever communication was being sent?
What would Helen Davenport do? What would she know that Julia didn’t?
“Everyone, thank you for coming.” Mel stood in front of the gathering.
“We’re here to celebrate the life of Kay Patterson, a beloved member of the Buckley community.
Everyone here knows of her kindness, her gardening skills, and her volunteerism with Shenandoah Preservation.
She made Buckley a better place, and we will miss her dearly.
She is predeceased by her husband Morris, her daughter Lily Horan, and son-in-law Ralph Horan, but we are blessed today by the presence of her loving granddaughter Courtney Horan. ”
Suddenly there was a commotion at the back of the room. Heads wheeled around to the noise. Everyone burst into alarmed chatter. People started standing up. Somebody gasped. Susan and Mona turned, recoiling. Mel’s eyes flew open.
“Courtney Horan!” Uniformed police were charging toward the front of the parlor. “Is Courtney Horan present?”
“What?” Courtney rose in astonishment, turning around. Julia stood up beside her, shocked at the sight.
“Courtney Horan, we have a warrant for your arrest!” The cops reached Courtney, swarmed her, and hoisted her to her feet, spinning her around.
“No, stop!” Julia reached for her, but a cop elbowed her off.
“You can’t do this!” Susan shouted, and Mona’s hand flew to her mouth. Mel edged backward, aghast. Alarmed chatter rippled through the crowd.
“What’s going on?” Courtney gasped, horrified. “This is my grandmother’s funeral!”
“You have the right to remain silent.” One cop grabbed her purse from her shoulder while another patted her down.
Two others wrenched her arms behind her back and handcuffed her.
“Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Should you wish counsel, one will be appointed for you—”
“Let go of her!” Julia tried to get to Courtney but the cops dragged her down the aisle. Chaos erupted in the parlor. People gasped, craning their necks to see. Somebody fainted in the Shenandoah Preservation group. Children burst into terrified tears. Alex and a teacher rushed to comfort them.
“No, please!” Courtney wailed. “What did I do?”
“No, stop!” Julia hurried after Courtney.
“Why are you doing this?” Courtney shouted, anguished. “You have to tell me—”
“You’re being arrested for the murder of Kay Patterson.”