With Love, Your Killer (COMPLETED)

Chapter Six

10th October, 2015 (Five Days after the Murder).

09:00 AM.

The church was filled up to the brim as the minister gave the introductory sermon. For Bethany's funeral, there were no empty seats. Ian looked around at the townsfolk who were present, all dressed in black. For someone so mean, she sure had a lot people at her funeral. Although admittedly, most of them looked like they came to see what drama would unfold.

Standing at the corner, Ian looked around at everyone's faces closely. There wasn't a teary eye in the house. Thinking back to the facts of the case, he was sure that the killer was present at the funeral. The crime seemed very intimate so the murderer would either be present to say farewell, or to not arouse suspicion. There were a lot of people he did not recognize, but his attention was drawn to a twitchy, wispy looking man at the back. Ian was sure he hadn't met him personally, yet, something about him seemed familiar.

Her teachers sat at the left row of the church, gossiping, as they looked at the other guests. Eric Johnson was by himself at the extreme end of the row, sitting quietly. To Ian, he looked almost... sad. From what Eric had told him, he barely knew Bethany; but from his reaction, it was clear he had been lying. Bethany's cheerleading coach could not make it for the funeral due to health reasons, according to the principal. Poor thing!

Nathan was seated in the middle row with Sherylyn, who had her arms wrapped around him. It still seemed strange that they were in a relationship so soon after Bethany's death. For a boy who claimed to love his girlfriend, it was most unusual. Ian looked closely at Nathan's face. He was tense with Sherylyn by his side. He clearly did not have feelings for her. Did she have something on him or someone he cared about? Was she covering up for him or was it the other way around? The possibilities were endless!

He looked over at the front, where Alyson was seated and his heart rate accelerated. She was in a jet-black lace dress, which contrasted wildly with her pale skin and vivid red hair. She looked enchanting. She was serene as she sat and listened to the minister talk. He expected her to be angry, but she looked resigned. He wanted so badly to give her comfort, but he stood where he was. Not yet, he told himself.

A man who was seated beside her held her hand and squeezed gently. She smiled at the man and in turn, placed her head on his left shoulder, as they turned back to listen to the sermon. Ian fought back a wave of jealousy. Who the hell was he? And why had he not seen him before? He made a mental note to ask Alyson about the man later. Seeing the sadness in her eyes, he was sure that she had loved Bethany a lot. Amidst all that happened, Alyson was the only person he could trust.

The minister finished his sermon and called on the mayor to give a speech. Mayor Fields stood on the podium and his wife stood dutifully behind him. She wore an elegant black dress with a hat embroidered with black lace which covered her face. Ian did not know her much, but he knew she valued family, and she loved her son a lot. She was very different from his own mother, who had neglected him and his father when he was a boy.

The mayor cleared his throat, "My people, it is so unfortunate that we are gathered here today. I have known Bethany since she was a little girl, and she was very bright. I hope that she will be at peace wherever she is, and I promise you her murderer will be caught. He will not get away with it."

Or she, Ian thought.

"This I promise you as mayor. We will set an example, that under my watch, crimes will not go unpunished. I am with you all," the mayor concluded, as his voice resonated around the church.

Ian scoffed at Sam Field's obvious attempt to use Bethany's death to further his political campaign.

The mayor took a step back, and his wife, Sandra, got in front of him to address the congregation.