Chapter 40

"Are you stalking me?" I turn to Quinn. I am graced by his three-piece suit and a black tie that hangs loosely on his neck. The devil looks good in everything. "Ryan is my best friend. What is your reason for being here?" Does he ask? I can't think of a better comeback, "Andre is my best friend." That was a total fail. Quinn scoffs, "Best Friend indeed, " He says in a mockery tone. "You have a score to settle with me we can settle them here and now." Andre starts to remove his coat. Quinn follows his lead, "Actually I do." He replies. I place my hand on Andre's chest and push him back, "We are at a funeral," I state. The two men stand face to face, each one of them fuming with fury. "You two are hopeless," I say and start to walk away. I can feel the stares directed at me. Not new, by now I am used to them. However, it feels strange, I turn to find my grandmother watching me, at a faraway distance I see the detective heading Ryan's mother's murder staring. His stare explains so much, like 'I know your dirtiest secret and I am going to tell.' I jump when I feel someone touch me, it is Quinn. "You didn't answer my question." He insists. "Where is your family, particularly your WIFE?" I sarcastically ask. "First answer my question." "I don't owe you an answer. I have more pressing matters." I say needlessly. "Like?" He presses more. "None of your business," I answer. Quinn shakes his head, he rubs his temple, " You never stop, Do you? There is no off day on your vengeance..." He looks around, "Whom among these innocent people is your next target?" Innocent? The irony is tasteless. The people in these crowds give the devil a good name. "Does your family take a break from ruining people's lives?" I snap. I look around, cameras, eyes that try not to make it obvious are staring surround us. We are taking all the attention away from the grieving family. My head is reeling as I watch the detective walk towards us. "This is not something I see every day, a suspect at the victim's funeral." He says. "She was cleared to be innocent." Quinn is quick to defend me. If only he did that in front of the cameras. The detective ignores him, he doesn't hide his dislike for us, "Where did you say you were that night, Mr. Nickel?" "Drunk and passed out somewhere." Quinn carelessly utters. Andre joins us. "And you Mr. Wayne's?" "At home." Andre shrugs. "Can you prove that?" "Yes. My mom and Netflix." The detective shakes his head in disbelief. He takes his time as he profiles us. He holds a different look for each one of us. The common one is contempt. "I know the three of you have something to do with this. I will prove it." "Then for once the taxpayer will be getting a value at their cut," Andre says it is like he is intentionally trying to anger him. While all I want is for this detective to disappear before I miss an opportunity to speak to Ryan's father. "Says someone whose fathers' company evades taxes." The smugness on Andre's face disappears and it is replaced with distress. "You have been investigating us?" He asks. He did see that coming which I find shocking for someone who stays two steps ahead of everyone. "That is my work and I am good at it." The detective says and he leaves us all worried. "I have to go." Andre immediately says. He waits for no response, he quickly and swiftly moves around the crowd and disappears into it. "I don't get why you trust that dude, he is a goon." "Says a cheat," I say. That shuts him up. I see the hearse Van Drive and Ryan's father walks towards it. I want to keep him on sight. They load the coffin in it. I feel my stomach drop at how real it feels. I didn't know her well but what happened to her is evil. Ryan will never see his mother again because of me. And here I am again putting his father at a risk. I can not let emotions guide me. "You want to know my answer about going to Europe? Get me and Ryans' father alone to talk." I tell Quinn. "I don't do well with manipulation so, no. If you had asked me with no strings attached I would have done something." Quinn declares. I am left dumbfounded. Sometimes things get civil between us until forget how he is wired. "Then I guess I will find a way on my own," I say. "I hope you fail." Quinn bluntly says. My eyes go wide with disbelief. "You are a sad human being," I say and start to follow the crowd as they head towards the cemetery. I won't fail, not this time.