Chapter 11 #2
“I think so,” Harley said, grabbing a few tissues from the box on the counter before they headed out to the already forming line of those wishing to pay their respects.
“Thank you for coming early with Scottie and me,” she said to Fiona. “I appreciate it.”
“Honey, I’m glad to be here for you and I am so glad to know you are not alone,” Fiona said, with a gentle smile, crinkling at her eyes. “And that you have a nice young man to stand by your side today.”
They walked passed those in line so they could get to the front of the church where the open casket waited. Fiona slipped into the first pew with her husband, while Harley went to the casket and took her place beside Scottie and began shaking hands and talking to the mourners as they came through.
When the receiving line finished and the service was about to begin, Scottie led her to the front pew, and they sat listening to the minister bring his message about Reilly’s life.
The minsters words of encouragement for the days of head did not fall on deaf ears.
Harley listened intently, silently vowing to take the words to heart and try to live by them during the darkest days.
At the closing of the service, the uniformed officers came forward and carried the casket out of the church to the waiting vehicle. The minister led the procession with Harley and Scottie behind him as the rest of the congregation followed.
Brand was never more thankful when he put Carly in their SUV that no incident had occurred at the church.
Jules and Loverboy as well as Jett joined them in the backset since Pepper was working out of town and Brand started the engine as they followed the car procession to the cemetery for the graveside.
He marveled at the number of first responders that were in attendance today as they made their last effort to pay their respects to Reilly Flynn.
It didn’t matter that his life had been taken before the exhibition game, the department was treating it as if he were during his regular assigned hours of duty.
“It was a lovely service,” Carly said, sniffing into a tissue. “And Harley looked lovely.”
“She’s stayed strong,” Jules said. “Every time I reached out to her she’s been a fortress through it all.”
Carly nodded. “I just wonder how long it will last? I tried getting her to come over to eat or let me bring her meals, but she always said she was fine.”
“Same,” Jules said.
“I’m sure she was,” Loverboy said. “And she does have Scottie by her side.”
“I saw that,” Jules said. “She mentioned she was seeing someone before the exhibition game but didn’t say who it was and now today he’s standing with her at the casket. I didn’t want to say anything at the funeral, but am I the only one who is shocked by that?”
“Yes,” they all said in unison.
“Sorry,” Loverboy said. “We’ve had a few days to come to terms with it.”
“And you never thought to fill me in?” Jules asked.
He shrugged. “More important things going on than to think to mention that detail.”
“You knew too, Carly?” Jules asked.
“I figured it out and then Brand confirmed after he talked to Harley,” she said.
Jules sighed. “Wow. No wonder Harley kept it a secret from Reilly.”
Carly turned in her seat and looked back toward Jett. “When will Pepper be back?”
“Her flight manifest said sometime tomorrow, but she can always get bumped depending on delays, etc. or the airlines need for her to cover for another air marshal. She’s picking up as many shifts as possible right now, so she won’t be tapped during her requested time off at Christmas this year since we are going to see both sets of parents for the first time since we got married. ”
“That should be nice,” Carly said.
“We’re hoping it works out,” Jett said. “We tried it before, but she’s always been asked to cover at the last minute, and she told her boss it isn’t happening this year even if there is no one else available.
She deserves to be able to spend one Christmas with her family uninterrupted.
When she was single it was different she could see covering for those with family obligations, but not anymore. Fair is fair.”
“Good for her. She needs to set that standard now so when you have your own little one it won’t be an issue,” Jules said.
“She won’t be flying when we start our family,” Jett said.
“That wasn’t my decision, but hers. I was shocked when she told me that and I made it clear I would never ask her to give her job up just to have a family, but she said she made that decision a long time ago, when she first became an air marshal. ”
“I’m sure she had her reasons then,” Carly said.
“Speaking of which…is that something you’ve been talking about?” Jules asked.
“Honey,” Loverboy said. “That’s none of our business.”
“I know,” Jules said, “but Pepper never talks about it.”
Jett chuckled. “We haven’t decided yet, but we’ve been getting pressure from both sides of our families. I can tell you that much. My parents would love a grandchild and if my twin sisters aren’t going to provide them with one they think I should.”
“I hear that so many times from adults who tell me their parents feel it’s their duty to produce grandchildren for them,” Jules said.
“You won’t hear that from me,” Carly said.
“In your case, which is sad,” Jules continued, “because I know your if things had turned out differently your mom would love nothing more than going baby shopping with you as your due date gets closer.”
“I know.” Carly looked at her with unshed tears. “But my failed married to Justin Porter ruined things and both him and daddy going to prison nailed that door shut.”
“Enough,” Brand said. “No more bringing up parents, sadness, or the past. It’s bad enough we’re pulling up to the cemetery where we’re going to see a young officer laid to rest years before his time.”
The SUV came to a stop behind several of the cars lined up along the graveyards gravel drive and Brand parked. They all got out and walked toward the grave site where chairs were set up and people were already gathering. The police honor guard stood vigil waiting for the signal.
As they drew closer, he could see a small stage was set up with a microphone so that the minister and the officials from the department who would speak could be heard.
As well as the last call transmission for Officer Flynn.
Brand walked Carly up to the side in hopes of getting her a seat so she wouldn’t have to stand during the whole service.
Harley spotted them. “Carly, come, sit over here. You too, Jules.” She motioned to where there were vacant seats behind her. And the two women obliged.
“Where’s Colleen and Margot?” Harley asked.
“They decided not to come to the graveside because of the cold, but the sun today is keeping it from being so bad and at least the wind isn’t harsh,” Carly explained. “It was risky getting Christopher out for the church service with him only a few days old.”
“Of course,” Harley agreed. “I fully understand and with Margot getting closer to her due date I’m sure she is concerned with catching a chill. Thank you all for coming. They’ve made beautiful arrangements for today, don’t you agree?”
“They have,” Jules replied.
“You’ll be sure to come by the brownstone after forwards for food,” Harley said.
“So much food was delivered this morning from the church as well as the police department. Scottie and I can’t possibly eat it all.
And I’ve already filled my freezer with casseroles that have been dropped off all week.
You have to come. I won’t take no for an answer. ”
“Trust her,” the white-haired woman on the opposite side of Harley said. “There is so much food that needs to be eaten.”
“Okay,” Carly said.
“We’ll come,” Jules said.
Harley turned back around and a silence fell over the crowd as the flag draped casket was carried to the grave and set upon the burial plot. Floral arrangements in the similar black and blue them were set around by the funeral home attendants as they prepared for the service to begin.
A twenty-one-gun salute started the service off and then the color guard moved into place folding the flag that was on the casket and presented it to Harley.
Then the last call of duty transmission was played before final remarks from the minister and Commander Burns was made.
As a final salute to Reilly Amazing Grace was played on the bagpipes by a man were a blue, black, and green kilt, standing off in the distance on a hill where everyone could see him.
When the song ended, the minister dismissed everyone and they slowly and somberly stood, milling around and talking with Scottie and Harley before finally leaving the graveyard.