For Our Eyes Only

Chapter 9

That was it. That was the end of Juliet O'Hara.

We ended up surrendering to Thorndale's team. Actually, I don't think it's really surrendering if the entire team of cops just runs out the door.

When we were all getting out of the warehouse, I picked up Jules' body and carried her outside. Lassie called an ambulance, delaying us all from admitting the obvious.

She was gone.

We got back to the police station, where the chief was informed of the news.

Chief Vick isn't one to be unprofessionally emotional, but I could tell that something inside her broke.

She gave Gus, Lassie and me the day off.

I don't think Gus knew how to act around me. He was clearly upset as well, but he must have known that that couldn't compare to what I was feeling.

I didn't know what I was feeling, quite frankly.

It obviously wasn't a warm and fuzzy feeling, knowing that the great love of my life was dead, but it just felt... numb.

I was sure it would hit me later.

We got out into the parking lot. Gus gave me a somber look and just went to his car.

I got in the car that used to be Jules' and mine and drove home.

I opened the front door of my house and stepped inside.

It was so quiet.

I walked into the living room, sat down on the couch, rested my elbows on my knees and buried my face into my hands.

Just this morning, we were laying here.

She was dead.

Juliet O'Hara was dead.

Juliet O'Hara, the optimistic, loyal detective who stole my seat at a diner nine years ago.

The girl who had been through so much; arresting her brother, her dad being a con artist, being kidnapped and hung from a clock tower fourteen stories over Santa Barbara, even finding out that I wasn't a psychic.

The sensible, smart, logical woman who was sometimes the only thing that held the police department together.

The romantic, funny, stunning sweetheart who taught me what it's like to care for someone.

Gone.

The tears came rolling down my face.

I broke down. It might have lasted for ten minutes before I realized that Jules' parents had yet to find out about what had happened.

I stood up off the couch, wiping my eyes, and grabbed my phone.

I dialed the number and braced myself.

"Hello?"

I was caught off guard, suddenly at a loss for words.

"Um, hi, uh, Marianne." I paused, sniffling. "So, um... I know that this is abrupt, but, uh... Jules got killed today."