In the investigation into the explosion and destruction of five buildings in the Warehouse District, they'd found Justine's body. She was considered a Jane Doe and Zeke had no idea how Rebecca had done it, but she'd managed to get Justine's body and give it a proper burial.
Today was when the headstone was supposed to be placed on her simple grave. Zeke didn't want to see it, knowing that it was the piece that would make her death feel so final. But he also knew that he had to. Rebecca had paid for everything and was going to meet him at the grave to make sure the stone was alright. He couldn't snub her after all she'd done.
How will I ever repay her?
The grass was thick with spring dew as he walked in new shoes toward the graveside. Spring had come in earnest, and the morning was cool but not cold. Birds chirped nearby and the smell of roses came to him on the fresh air.
It was the kind of morning that spoke of life and new beginnings, of hope. And Zeke wished that he could take it into himself and be healed. But he suspected that the wound left by Justine's death would always be with him in some capacity.
He saw a now familiar woman kneeling in front of a beautiful marble gravestone and stopped to give Rebecca some privacy.
The name was large enough for him to see at a distance:
Emily Chambers
Zeke wondered if it had been a daughter or sister. He recognized the pain of loss bright in Rebecca's eyes as she traced the name with a small, thin finger.
I shouldn't be here, this is private. And she might still be upset with me for saving Domino. I hope that monster gets the chair. If nothing else, to give Rebecca some peace.
When he turned to walk away, Rebecca's voice stopped him.
"It's alright Mr. Germaine," she said, standing to her feet.
He turned back and still found himself shocked at the amount of gray in Rebecca's dark hair, and the wrinkles that he'd overlooked when she was in her domino mask and Serpent suit.
How she managed to be Serpent for twenty years is extraordinary. She's extraordinary actually.
"I am sorry if I intruded," he said when she'd walked over to him.
"I was finishing, it's perfectly alright."
She took his arm and they walked the short distance in silence to Justine's grave. Rebecca had chosen a lovely spot under a willow tree and not too far from a trellis of climbing roses. It was a place that Justine would've loved, and how Rebecca would've known that was a mystery to Zeke, but he was grateful for it nonetheless.
He looked down and took a deep, shuddering breath.
The stone was a simple gray, with curling script that reminded Zeke of vines. A carving of a rose was in the upper left-hand corner, and it made Zeke smile through his tears.
"Is it correct?" Rebecca asked.
He nodded. "It's perfect. Thank you."
"Of course."
They stood a little while longer and then turned away. Zeke knew he'd be back here many times, and hoped that someday it wouldn't hurt quite so much.
"It does get easier," Rebecca whispered.
"But it never goes away completely, does it?"
"No, never quite. But, I wouldn't want it to. Would you?"
"No, I suppose not."
Silence came upon them once again, and it wasn't until Zeke could see Rebecca's somber, black car in the circular drive that she said anything.
"Have you seen the clinic space?" she asked.
Zeke nodded. "It's..."
"Terrible, I know. But I will get you the money to fix it up the way it needs to be. You must give me a list, everything you need. Separate it into must have and nice to have."
"You would spend your own money to help the poor, to help...people like me?"
"Yes, I would. And anyway, it will not be just my money. I will get some of the other peacocks of Jet City to pay as well. That reminds me, there will be a delivery of furniture to your apartment, a crib, rocking chair, and some baby clothes."
"You've done so much Mrs. Frost," Zeke said, a deep discomfort rising up. "And you know how much I appreciate it but I'd very much like to start standing on my own two feet, be my own man soon."
Rebecca smiled.
"I realize that, and soon you will be able to do just that. But if ever you have need of anything, if Rose has need of anything, you must promise to ask."
He'd gotten very used to the look of stern determination in her eyes over the last two weeks, and knew it was useless to try and fight it.
"I promise."
"Thank you."
By now they were at the car, and a light drizzle had started. Her driver stepped out and handed her a manila envelope.
"Here," she gave it to Zeke. "It's your new identity."
They had long discussions over the past two weeks about what needed to happen in order to make sure he and Rose were safe. Zeke believed that without Mr. Fry, the group that had experimented on him would likely fall apart. And even if they didn't, he and Rebecca didn't think they would attempt to capture Zeke again if he didn't make any noise about happened to him. The thought of his silence leading to more people being experimented on didn't sit well with Zeke, but then he thought of Rose and what might happen to her if he did speak up.
And, just in case anyone did want to find Zeke Germaine, Rebecca had suggested coming up with a new identity for him. He'd fought it at first but quickly gave into her logic.
Zeke looked at the papers and made a sour face. "Gerald Allen?"
"It is very different from Ezekiel Germaine, and that's the point. I kept Rose's name, I thought you would prefer that."
He nodded. "Thank you, again."
"The apartment lease is already in your new name, and you have a new medical license with it as well."
"Should I ask how you managed all this?"
Rebecca smiled. "No."
He looked down, shuffling his feet back and forth. He didn't want the brief conversation to end because when he had nothing to do, all he could think of was Justine.
As if reading his mind, Rebecca said, "Would you like to go for a drive? I often feel restless after visiting Emily's grave and that French nanny of yours told me she wanted more time with Rose then just a few hours. I think the woman misses her grandchildren in Provence."
Zeke hesitated, wondering at the wisdom of what he was about to ask.
"How about you teach me how to fight?" he said.
Rebecca's eyebrows arched. "Really?"
"I've been thinking that it might be handy if...well, the worst should happen."
She studied him and finally nodded.
"Alright, but do you mind sharing some of the training?"
"I suppose not," he said, sliding into the car next to her. "Who am I training with?"
"My heir, Diana."
He knew what she meant by "heir" and nodded.
As they drove away, Zeke felt a very small measure of peace begin to settle in his soul. Perhaps Jet City would be a good place to raise his daughter and start again. And if he could do some good with his powers, if he could help the heroes, so much the better.
Thanks for reading! And if you'd like to continue the adventure, you can find the first full length novel of The Vigilantes at all ebook retailers! Click here to suit up and get your copy today!
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