Bloody Bracelet

Part 9

We buried Ab on a cloudy Tuesday, next to Granpa, Mom, Dad and Jesse. My whole family was right infront of me, 6 feet under the ground. It didn't really hit me yet. Now, I was all alone. It was a nice ceremony. The only people that were there was Chief and the guys, Ab's florist and a bunch of people I didn't even know. They lowered Ab into the ground while Father David read a verse from Psalms. I just faded that shit out.

"Everything happens according to God's plans.", said the Father.

What the fuck did he just say? So, it's God's plan to let that sick fuck murder Ab? Was it his plan to kill Sarah or Dana? Or even Jesse? Was it his plan to bring a sick rat bastard like that into this world to murder people like this? God's plan was fucking bullshit. I can't listen to this anymore.

I walked away from the ceremony until I came to the cemetery's entrance. I fumbled around in my pocket and pulled out a pack of Marlboro and a lighter. I bumped out a cigarette and lit it as if I never stopped smoking. Old habits die hard, I guess. It didn't even burn my throat or mouth on the first drag, but God, I missed smoking. The next drag came even smoother.

"Spare a smoke?", said Chief from behind me.

I bumped one out and handed it to him along with a lighter. What a day to start smoking again.

"It was a beautiful, ceremony. It's how she would've want it."

"Yeah."

"How are you holding up, kid?"

"With both hands, Chief, but I'm slipping. This one dug deep."

"Our door is always open. You want to stay over tonight?"

"Thanks, but I already booked in at a hotel."

"The coffee is going to be shit, you know that right."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Yeah, but I think I'm going to have to be alone tonight."

I took my last drag from my smoke and crushed it underneath my boot.

"I want to be rested out tonight. This bastard got me pulling out all the stops. He just doesn't know it yet."

"About that, Tom." I turned to face the Chief. "I'm pulling you from the case?"

Fucking what?

"You're what? No, no, no you can't do this to me Chief."

"You're a fucking train wreck now, Tom. I can see it in your eyes that you have itchy-trigger-finger-syndrome. I can't have you hot headed on the job."

"Chief, listen to me. This son of a bitch has taken the last bit from me. You can't pull me from this. His ass is mine."

"Exactly! I'm sorry, but you're cut off."

"You know what. You're a real piece of fucking work, Chief."

"Tom, don't be-"

"No, no I'll tell you what. You and department can both go fuck yourself."

I stripped the badge from my belt, unholstered my Glock and shoved both of them into the Chief's hands.

"Consider this as my resignation."

"Tom!"

"Give my thanks to the Father will you."

"Tom!"

I couldn't stand being around the Chief anymore. Fuck them all. I unlocked my car, lit another cigarette and drove off. I may not have the law at my back this time, but nothing and I mean NOTHING was going to stop me from catching this guy.

Which is good, because now I can kill him.