New York Detectives (Book 3)

Chapter 31

I parked the motorcycle and leaned to the left side, putting the kickstand down.
I stood up and grabbed the bouquet of daffodils and pansies, walking into Green-Wood cemetery.

I walked on the path, staring at the tree I had recognized and began to walk towards it.

I clenched and unbleached my jaw as I got closer, a nervous feeling in my stomach, and a lump in my throat swelling with every step I took.

As I approached the shiny marble gravestone, I let out a sigh and took off my helmet. I crouched down and wiped the fallen leaves off of the top of the stone. I looked at the flowers in the vase, that was attached to the side, and I grabbed the wilting flowers, placing the new ones inside the yellow vase.

"Hey, Em." I greeted softly, clearing my throat. "It's, it's been awhile. A year, right? Almost two? I'm glad to see that Lola still sends the flowers." I chuckled softly and sat beside the stone, putting the helmet down and leaning my head back and resting my head on the tip of the stone.

"I've been... Well, my emotions are everywhere. I got-" I stopped and closed my eyes, sighing. "Had. Had a boyfriend. He doesn't quite know that yet, but it'll happen. Sherlock Holmes is his name, and he's the best man you could think of. In a way. He can be a total asshole if I'm being honest. Always saying the wrong things at wrong times, insulting people. But, I think that's why I like him." I chuckled, picking my head up and looking at my hands that had begun to shake.

"I need the drugs again, Em. I need the pain to go away, even if it's only for several hours. But, I promised you that night. I didn't promise Mrs Viner, no. I didn't see her asking me to promise, I saw you. I saw you begging me to come back and to stop taking the drugs. I promised you." I mumbled, rubbing my forehead. I was silent for awhile, until I could almost hear Emily scold me for not telling her more since its on my mind

"I was pregnant." I said and turned my head, looking at the front of the stone from the corner of my eye.

"But, it's my fault that the baby is gone. I was stupid, Emily. So fucking stupid! I just had to go chasing a lead, and I end up losing my baby." I exclaimed as I leaned back against the stone.

"Christ, you know... I thought that maybe I'd changed. Maybe, just fucking maybe I had changed. I should have thought about what danger I could have put my pregnant self into, but no. No, I just went with the lead.

Oh, the lead was about my bio father, by the way. You know, the one who slapped, yelled, and beat me into a bloody mess? Yeah! That's who I'm looking for. Nathan Maiden. And you know who asked me to do it? My crackwhore mother!" I exclaimed, my voice raising.

"She had the audacity to call me when I was gone and in London. She begged for me to help so I agreed. I fucking agreed and now here I am! Single and childless again!" I sneered, clenching my fists.

"The worst part is, I have no idea where Nathan is, Emily! I haven't got the slightest clue as to where that piece of shit is. All I know is that he's always gone when I want to try and get him. Everytime we tried, he wouldn't be there." I complained as I turned around and faced the side of the stone. The sun making bad timing and began glinting off of the stone and shining in my face. I put my hand up and used it as a sun blocker.

"Everyday he wasn't there! Every... Single ... Day... " I trailed off, thinking. I looked at the sun and back to the sunlight on my hand, an idea popping into my head.

"When Sherlock and I would go see him, we'd try in the day. From business hours, 8 in the morning to 6 at night. We never thought of trying at night." I said and laughed. I looked at the picture on the gravestone and shook my head, smiling.

"Always had the answer to everything, didn't you?" I asked and stood up, grabbing my helmet.

"You always knew how to connect the dots and where I messed up in my number puzzles. Always." I stated, turning the helmet over and over in my hands.

"You're still that smart cookie." I stated and turned around, starting to walk away from the grave, but I stopped.

I turned around and walked back, kneeling down in front of the gravestone and smiling softly.

"Happy 25th birthday, Emily." I said as I kissed my fingers and pressed it to the picture.

"I love you, and I miss you. I will always miss you." I smiled softly, blinking my tears away. I hugged the cold stone, and sighed.

"Thank you for being my anchor and for listening to me drone about my feelings." I chuckled and stood up, stepping back and wiping my tears with the back of my hand.

I took a deep breath and winked.
"Nathan better be prepared. Because today is the day I find him. Today is your day. I'm gonna make this a great day. Well, salvage what I can to make it great." I laughed and turned around, jogging back to the motorcycle and putting on my helmet. I quickly straddled the bike and started the bike up and kicking the kickstand up.

I sped off and started towards the city, anticipation and excitement running through me.

"Oh sinner man,
Where you gonna run to?
Sinner man, where you gonna run to?"
I began to sing as I headed towards the Empire State Building, the sun slowly disappearing. Soon, only the sky was lit up and I smirked.

"Where you gonna run to?"