UP IN FLAMES

They rode in silence. When they reached the funeral home, the sight of the black hearse and limos made her breath catch in her chest.

“It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.” Alaric patted her hand. “I’m right here.”NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.

She nodded. There were already a few other cars in the parking lot, even though the memorial service wasn’t for another hour. She and Christopher’s parents had been asked to come early.

Once Alaric parked, the three of them walked into the somber but elegant lobby of the funeral home. A tall, gaunt man wearing a suit that clung to his bones greeted them and directed them to the proper area.

Vanessa’s heart sank when she saw that Steven and Lois Wesley had already arrived. They were deep in conversation with Jeremy Blackenstock, who hurried over the instant he caught sight of her. She could have sworn he appeared relieved to see her.

“There you are,” he said, his dulcet tones conveying the right mix of sympathy and comfort. “How are you holding up?”

Dragging her gaze away from her in-laws, who were both shooting hostile glares toward her, she focused on Jeremy. “I’m doing okay.”

“Glad to hear it.” He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. “Christopher’s parents are requesting changes to the service. Even though I’ve told them we couldn’t accommodate their requests at this late hour, I’m afraid they are very insistent.”

Her jaw had begun to ache from clenching it so tightly. “I’m sorry. Please ignore them. They have no business trying to change things. I’ve already informed them that everything has been handled.”

If anything, Jeremy’s discomfort seemed to increase. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and tugged on his collar. “They brought a preacher,” he said. “He apparently believes he’s going to-”

“No.” Tamping down irritation mixed with anger, Vanessa shook her head. “Where is he? I’ll have a word with him.”

“He’s in the other room, going over his notes.” Jeremy glanced back at the Wesleys , who continued to glare. “I’ve never had this happen before.”

“I’m so sorry.” Drama of any kind was the last thing she needed or wanted. Especially now, on today of all days. She knew the press would be covering the service, and she doubted Steven and Lois would welcome any unfavorable coverage. “I’ll speak to them, as well.”

Relief flashed across Jeremy’s normally composed face. “Thank you.” He moved away, heading toward the front entrance where his staff member greeted arrivals.

Alaric leaned close, a big, handsome man wearing a well-fitting suit. “If having a preacher gives his parents some peace, what does it matter? Christopher is gone, but I’m thinking he was close to his mother and father. Surely he’d want you to do whatever brought them comfort.”

Stunned, she stared at him. Because he was right. She’d just have to figure out a way to mesh what she’d planned with their vision.

“Thank you,” she told Alaric softly, wishing she had the right to kiss him, right then and right there. “I’ll speak to the preacher and have him coordinate his talk with the ones I have planned.”

Once she’d gotten Preacher Miller with Chloe-who, armed with her clipboard, was in charge of coordinating everything-and brought Jeremy up to speed, she made her way over to talk to Lois and Steven. Lois eyed her, appearing slightly apprehensive, while Steven seemed only weary. Grief lay heavily on both their shoulders.

“I’ve asked Preacher Miller to coordinate with the other speakers,” Vanessa said. “I’m so glad you were able to have your own preacher come to help with the service.”

Steven nodded. “He’s a good man.”

Vanessa nodded, searching for something else she could say. When Lois reached out and touched her arm, she started.

“Thank you,” Lois said, her eyes filling with tears. “Having Preacher Miller speak words of comfort means a lot to us.”

Vanessa pulled the older woman in for a quick hug. “Let’s go get set up. People will begin arriving soon and we’ll need to be ready to greet them.”

She turned and walked back into the other room, sure Christopher’s parents were right behind her.

The service went off beautifully. The news reporters were respectful and quiet and stayed near the back of the room. The packed room contained not only politicians, but other attorneys and judges who’d worked with Christopher over the years, as well as many people who’d made the long drive from Christopher’s hometown.

Vanessa kept her head down, the closed casket making it easier. She might not have loved him, but she still couldn’t believe his life had been taken so violently and so soon.

After, she and Paul and Alaric rode with Steven and Lois in the first two limos to the cemetery. All the other mourners followed behind. Once they were all gathered under the green tent, the preacher said a few more words and they each placed a white rose on the casket before it was lowered into the earth.

Drained and numb, Vanessa sat in a folding chair and watched. Glad of her dark sunglasses, she watched Lois sob in Steven’s arms and hoped the other woman didn’t wonder why she hadn’t cried.

The ride back to the funeral home felt endless. Sitting next to Alaric, hip to hip, knee to knee, she would have given much to have had the right to turn to him for comfort. Of course, she couldn’t, so she sat staring straight ahead.

Finally, with Alaric driving and Paul in the back seat, she returned to Alaric’s place. Paul left the room immediately, saying he needed to call his fiance. Alaric, clearly sensing her mood, stayed out of her way, though he remained with her. She took to prowling from room to room, not sure what she hoped to find or do. The sharp staccato sound of her heels matched the emptiness inside her. Engaged in a silent struggle, she ached to turn to Alaric for comfort but knew that wouldn’t be fair to him.

The gray cloud of doom had settled around her, leaching all the brightness and light from the world. If she knew a magic spell that would help disperse it, she’d say it. Now, she felt as if she stepped in quicksand and was sinking. It would be only a matter of time before she disappeared completely. If the men searching for the missing three million dollars didn’t kill her first.