What Andre told Mama and I was good news and bad news at the same time. It was hard to believe that Jake was dead. That's the bad news. The good news is Jake is dead. They say that time heals all wounds, but it was never that way with us. The pain was always worse than the day it happened. After what seemed eternity, everything suddenly just fell into place, like in the blink of an eye. It seemed justice was trying to make up for the lost time that caused misery and pain for both of us, for our family. In these last three months when nothing was happening, it felt like we were always trodden underfoot in our quest for justice. Yes, it was all over. Someone with a kitchen knife put an end to our unfathomable anguish with just one stroke in the dead of the night.
Jake killed in his jail cell last night, I texted the boys. Their responses were again immediate and expressed relief, fulfillment and satisfaction of justice fully served. Let's have lunch together in the house on Saturday, I texted them again. Their reply was, of course, a big yes.
Justice now fully served, I texted Eli and Roman. Thank you for your invaluable opinions.
Glad to be of help, Eli replied.
I'm happy for you, Roman texted in return.
Can you and Marge have dinner with us? Please advise when you can be available, I texted Roman.
Sorry, partner, Marge and I are now in States. We might be here for a month or so. I will advise our return. Thanks, Roman replied.
Can Rose and you have dinner with us? Please advise when you can be available, I texted Andre.
Partner thanks a lot for the invitation. I'm reporting to Crame tomorrow. I'll be away for sometime but I'll try to keep in touch with you. Let's do it when I come back. Thanks again. See you, Andre replied.
Ok, partner. Any problem, I asked.
Nothing at all, partner. The inquiry has cleared me of wrongdoing and they will formally close it tomorrow, Andre replied.
That's very nice to hear. I'm glad for you. Take care. We'll have lunch or dinner when you come back.
Saturday lunch came. The boys arrived earlier than usual, one after the other. Ronald was the earliest. They were quite subdued as they sat in the living room. There were no hurrahs or high fives to enliven the little gathering that we had. They talked about many things but none about recent events affecting the entire group. It felt awkward and inappropriate, even callous and coldblooded to celebrate the death of someone our son thought was his best friend until his last moment. He never knew he was betrayed nor did he see betrayal in the making. Now that it is over, our victory tasted a little flat, just a hollow ring, a distant thunder, an embarrassing burp in the cosmic scheme. I don't think our son would celebrate his best friend's death.
Around noon, Mama called every one to the table. Lunch was to begin. There were only the six of us at the table. The children and our three grandchildren had left early for a beach outing. We had decided not to go with them to let them enjoy the occasion with their cousins and friends. It was the birthday of one of their cousins.
My friends, Mama and I are not having this lunch with you to celebrate the death of a bad person we came to know but to bring to its fruition the journey we all have taken to bring justice to our son and your friend. He is finally at rest. We have accomplished what I thought at the outset was an impossible mission but we did it, we made it, because of your unflagging courage, determination and self-sacrifice. Thank you, all. I hope we will not have to pass this way again. Darkness has come to an end and into the light we have arrived. Bon appétit!
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Chronicles Revealed
Mystery / ThrillerThere is a thin line between justice and revenge..