She is not bad

Chapter 40 : Preparation

The next day, Beverly sent a message to tell her about Derek's incident. The Police came and was investigating to know what happened. Jane would be happy if she was not preparing her brother's funeral with her aunt. Cassandra would have preferred doing it alone, to let Jane take some rest, but the brunette insisted to help her. They called every member of the family to tell them, even if they hadn't seen them for years now, they called the funeral home, and they tried to organize the cremation. It was tiring. Jane was struggling to not burst into tears. But she was trying to stay strong for her aunt. She knew she was suffering as much as her. She was considering Dany as her own child. It was the worst thing for a parent to lose their children. But the aunt and the niece were cut by knocks at the door. Cassandra stood from the couch and opened the door. Hopper was standing there.

- "Um, hi," he said.

- "Hi. What's wrong?" she frowned.

- "An incident occurred last night during a party. I wanted to ask Jane some questions about it."

- "Is she a suspect?"

- "Everyone is a suspect for now. We're just trying to find some clues to know who did it."

- "My god, did someone die?"

- "No, no. But he is in hospital."

- "Okay, um, come in."

Cassandra stepped aside to let Hopper in. He nodded like to thank her before approaching the couch where Jane was sitting. The girl looked at him with the most neutral look she had. She knew why he was there, but she knew too that he had no idea who the bad person was.

- "How can I help you?" she asked.

- "Um, yesterday at Gribbson's house, there was a party. Some people told us that you were there. Can you confirm that?"

- "Yes, I was."

- "Okay, um (shows a picture of Derek), do you know this guy?"

- "He is in the same High school as me. In the Football team. Why?" she frowned.

- "We got a call during the night from a teen. He was tapped on a bed and barely conscious. Um...someone glued his genital parts in a condom."

Jane had a fake disgusted expression.

- "Did you notice something weird in this party?" he continued.

- "No. I left early. I...I wasn't in the mood."

- "I understand. But every testimony is important."

- "I know, but I saw nothing," Jane affirmed.

- "There was no altercation? No fight?"

- "No. I was a little bit drunk, so I don't really remember everything. The only quarrel which occurred was the one I had with Medhi and Melissa. And it was not a big quarrel. It had nothing to do with this guy."

- "Okay, well, thank you for the information. I won't bother you more. And if you need anything, you both know you can call me, right?"

- "Sure, thank you," Cassandra weakly smiled.

The woman walked to the door with him. The two adults talked a little bit while Jane was still sitting in the couch. She was sure they wouldn't understand it was her. No one saw her, and she had never talked to this guy before last night. It was impossible to make the connection with her. Hopper was about to leave when Jane stopped him:

- "Wait!"

She stood and went to her door to ask:

- "Did you ask for Constance? Will she be here tomorrow?"

- "I'm still working on it. But...it's complicated. I don't think it will be possible."

- "But it's her brother too! They can't let her out for a day!? She already has nothing to do in jail, and now she won't be here for the cremation of Dany!? This is unfair!"

- "I know, and I completely agree with you. But I'm not the one who choose. If I were, believe me, Constance would be sitting next to you right now."

Jane clenched her jaw and nodded. She knew it wasn't his fault, but she couldn't stop thinking that he was not doing enough to help them in this situation. She tried to put things into perspective, but right now, she just wanted to break everything. Cassandra noticed Jane's anger growing and gently placed her hands on her niece's shoulders before telling her to go to her room to calm down. Jane obeyed. Cassandra waited for Jane to be in her room before turning to Hopper and saying:

- "Even for a few hours? Jane really needs her sister right now. Just being able to take her in her arms would make her feel better."

- "I know, I know. I'm trying, but the judge is hard to convince."

- "Then try more! It must be hard for Constance too. Family is important in moments like these!"

- "It's not just about me. I'll try to contact other people, but I can't promise you that she will be here. There are lots of things to do, and the cremation is tomorrow, and with this new investigation, we don't have time."

- "Then stop wasting your time here and go do your work!"

Hopper didn't answer, knowing she was mourning. Cassandra closed her door and took a deep breathing to calm down. She was expecting to hear the third world war in Jane's bedroom, but it was strangely calm. The woman gently opened the door and was sure she would find an empty room, but Jane was still there, laying down in her bed, her pillow on her face. The aunt entered the room and sat on the bed before grabbing Jane's hand. The niece closed her hand around her aunt's. None of them talked. They didn't need to. They knew they had each other. They knew they could count on each other in this situation. Jane needed it. She needed to know that someone was here for her, and that this someone was her aunt. After everything they had lived, those little moments were precious.