Destined

Nine

I frowned and took a deep breath.

"What do you mean?" I asked, trying to play it off.
Talia folded her arms, "Don't be coy with me, Kristina Sanders. You know you might have seen the killer and you didn't think it was worth mentioning?"
"Like I said, I didn't see the blood until I got home,"
"What happened down there, Krissy? When you came to the car you were terrified and out of breath, what did you see? What happened to Matthew? Did he...did he do this?" She asked.
"Of course not. You know Matthew, he'd never...look I didn't see Roger, okay. Some guy really did crash into me. Maybe he was the killer, but I doubt it. Otherwise how did the body end up in the bushes behind Grazier House?"

Talia thought for a moment then shook her head.

"I know you're hiding something, but for now, I'll drop it,"

I stared at myself in the mirror the next morning. The black dress I was wearing was flared and fitted with lace. It was the only black dress I owned and I was wearing it to Roger's funeral. School had been cancelled for the day so I was sure there would be a huge turn up at the event.

Downstairs, I found my mum waiting for me, a stern expression on her face.

"Morning," I greeted as I went to the fridge.
She stared at me, "results came in this morning, negative for Roger's blood,"
I gulped, "What?"
"Detective Aubrey called, you're all clear,"

How was that possible?

She sighed, "Good thing too, because I need to head back home now, I have a case and they need me for it," she said. "Will you be okay?"
I smiled, "Yes mum, thank you so much, for everything," I hugged her.
"You call me if those detectives give you any problems, okay?" She said and I nodded. "Good, I have to go now, pay my respects to the family please,"
"Yes,"

And she was gone.

The church was packed, as I had expected. Luckily, Tyler had kept us seats near the front. He, and Jonah, who looked like a he'd spent way more than two days in a cell, were both dressed in snazzy suits.

The service was solemn. Celine managed to give the eulogy without succumbing to tears, which must have been difficult. Mrs. Rivers was inconsolable the whole time and I watched Celine try to calm her mother as best as she could. Maddie gave up her strong front too and ran out of the church, Liz following her a minute later.

After that, we made our way to the graveyard and put Roger to rest. Liz texted to say Maddie had decided not to come and instead would go straight to Roger's house. It was at the graveyard that I noticed Detectives Aubrey and Jackson were present. As well as half the school faculty, including Vince. It was the first time I'd seen him in broad daylight, out of school and in public all at once. That made me think about just how real he was.

He was dressed semi formal. Grey suit pants, a black dress shirt, no tie, dark sun glasses and that hair of his was for the first time neatly tied.

My eyes couldn't help but follow him as he walked to the car park, a black jeep awaiting him. He was with a young woman who looked like she was trying hard to win his affection. Wrapping her arms around one of his own, talking animatedly, anything to get and keep his attention.

"Are you okay?" Talia's voice brought me out of my reverie.
"Yeah," I shook my head. "Who is that?"
"The girl with Mr. Hunky Pants?"
"Mr. Hunky Pants?" I asked raising my brow.
"That's what everyone is calling him. And you can see why,"
"Yeah," I sighed.
"She's a senior, one of the Economics Professors' assistsants, Reese Erleene. I think Roger took Economics," Talia said making me look up at where they stood.

I didn't have the car that day so I rode with Jonah, Tyler and Talia in Tyler's car. We went into town for some ice cream to decompress from the sadness of the day. We were joined by Matthew and Liz .