Chapter 28
By the time we got to Holy Cross, the service was wrapping up. JD and I weren’t exactly dressed for church.
The gothic stone cathedral loomed large with spires that pierced the heavens. Ornate stone work and stained glass weaved an intricate tapestry. Arched oak doors, worn and darkened with age, guarded the path to redemption.
I pulled open one of the heavy doors, its hinges groaning louder than I would have liked. We slipped in with caution, partially expecting to get hit with a bolt of lightning.
We hovered by a column in the back and looked over the crowd.
Pews creaked and groaned as mourners shifted.
Father Callahan’s Latin incantations bounced around the vaulted ceilings—ancient and traditional, yet comforting.
He moved with solemn grace, his flowing white robe draped with a purple stole over his shoulders.
Candles flickered, and the smell of incense and limestone hung heavy in the air.
Father Callahan was a young guy in his mid-30s and relatively new to the parish. His medium-length wavy brown hair crested the tops of his ears, and he had a trimmed beard.
Wesley’s casket rested in front of the sanctuary.
Sniffles and sobs seeped from the crowd. There were a lot of people here who had cared about Wesley. That was obvious by the size of the crowd. It was tragic his life had to end in such a senseless way. But I grew more and more of the mind that it hadn’t been of his own doing.
When the service ended, six strapping men served as pallbearers. Most were around Wesley’s age. One was older. I figured they were Wesley's friends, and perhaps his father. Maybe some of them had information to share.
Father Callahan sprinkled holy water over the casket before it was transferred to the hearse. The parade of mourners followed to the cemetery for the Rite of Committal.
A tent had been set up to offer shade for the mourners. We lost a few in the journey, but Wesley's ex-wife, Angela, his sort of girlfriend, Lacey, and the pallbearers were all in attendance.
The priest said a few more prayers, sprinkled more holy water, and gave a final blessing. With that, the casket was lowered into the ground.
Sniffles and sobs drifted about, and the smell of flowers filled the air.
Father Callahan said, "There will be a reception at the activity center with snacks and beverages. Please join us."
I spotted Angela. She was talking to some of Wesley's friends who served as pallbearers.
Lacey and Angela had exchanged a few awkward glances during the service.
Now that the committal was over, Lacey avoided the crowd and walked back to her car.
I suspected she wasn't going to make the reception.
I sent JD to chase after her before she got away.
I approached Angela and offered my condolences again.
"Deputy Wild, these are my children, Abigail and Maddox.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said. “I’m very sorry about your father.”
They looked up at me with big, weepy eyes.
Angela continued, “This is Holden, Cameron, Landon, and Ian. They all went to school together. This is Mr. Oliver, Wesley's father, and his brother Ben."
We shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
I said to Angela in a soft voice, "I know this isn’t the best time, but would you mind if I asked you a few more questions?”
"Sure. No problem. Anything I can do to help." We stepped aside while the others chatted, slowly making their way back to their vehicles. The kids stayed with their grandfather.
"How long had Wesley been seeing Dr. Miriam Renick?"
She took a deep breath and thought about it.
"I guess off and on for a couple of years now. I suggested counseling before the divorce. That didn't work,” she said flatly. “I insisted he go see somebody about his mental health and his drug use. I know he liked Dr. Renick. He felt comfortable with her. It seemed like it was going well for a little while.” She sighed. “There were things that Wesley just kept to himself. He was very… guarded most of the time. I tried to get in, but he wouldn’t let me. That was part of the problem. He was just so closed off. By the time we actually got professional help, we were beyond hope, to tell you the truth.”
“Was he always closed off, or did something trigger it?”
She thought for a moment. “I don’t know. He was never very expressive that way. Most men don’t like to talk about their feelings. I thought he would open up to me over time.”
"I ask because someone shot Dr. Renick yesterday. Her office was broken into this morning, and some of her files were stolen."
Angela's eyes rounded. "Really?"
I nodded.
Her brow knitted with confusion. "Do you think there's some kind of connection?"
I nodded again. "Is there anything Wes might have told her that was so horrible someone would want to kill to cover it up?"
Angela stiffened and swallowed hard. "Horrible like what?"
"You tell me.”
She lowered her gaze, and her eyes flicked about as she thought. “Wes never got in any real trouble. He was kind of lucky that way. I mean, he got a DUI once. But that was about the extent of his trouble with the law. It’s not like he killed anybody.”
I stared deep into her eyes, looking for signs of deception. “If anything should come to mind, you know how to get in touch.”
She nodded. “I guess I should get to the reception. Will you be joining us?”
“If you don’t mind. I’d like to talk to some of the others.”
“Do what you need to do.”
I walked with her toward the black stretch limo where Wesley’s father waited with the kids and Ben.
“Tell me about his friends.”
“They all grew up together. Went to CKHS, then Vanden. Bunch of hell raisers back in the day.” She shook her head.
“Never in a million years would I have pegged Wesley as the fuck up.
I thought Holden had a lock on that. But they all turned out to be reasonably well-adjusted adults.
Despite his trust fund, Holden turned out okay.
He's an influencer, and I think he landed a deal for a show with the network.
Camden's a pediatrician. Ian is an attorney.
Landon is a District Commissioner, of all things.
" She shook her head again. "Wesley could have been anything he wanted.
He was such a smart guy. Makes me sick to see all that talent wasted.
I guess we've all got our demons. His got the best of him. "
"I'd just like to know what those demons were."