by R.E. Packer
****
Next I saw myself standing at my parents funeral holding my sister’s hand. The gang members the police questioned, then let go, stood nearby. The boyfriend of my aunt who took us in leered at my sister. Many black eyes later from protecting my sister it skipped years ahead. I stood alone at my sister’s funeral, staring down at my last relative that had meant anything to me. A few police officers stood back and watched from a distance. I recognized some of them from my parent’s investigation. I glared at them venting my rage for their incompetence in finding my parent’s murderers and now my sister’s killer.
Then it was just me and Rutger, alone in the world. I spent years training with weapons and martial arts, learning how to become a private investigator. I found the gang that was related in some way but I could never prove which member and I didn’t have any evidence that would hold up in court. I remembered every detail and clue that I’d found. Even though I got sympathetic looks and at least one cop that listened every time, they never found anything more. I knew there was a missing link but I had been unsuccessful at finding it.
Finally I got my PI license, mostly to justify carrying a gun while I secretly worked my sister’s cold case. I knew it was like looking for a needle in a haystack but I never gave up.
My vision cleared, we all stood looking at each other. No one saying a word for what seemed like many minutes. I felt the guilt and sympathy for each of them and they did for me.
“Aye, we all have something to fight for,” Gwen said.
Maeve made a noise of agreed looking down in thought of long ago days.
“Yes, I guess we do,” I said. I never would have thought we’d have something in common. From the time I’d known them they were carefree upper class society women. We couldn’t have seemed more different.
“Today we say farewell to Marianna and welcome our newest coven member in over 500 years,” Gwen said.
When they looked up at me there was a fierceness in their eyes.
“We are whole again,” Gwen said. “Gordon, welcome to our coven.”
“Now lets kick some covert were-agent arse,” Maeve said, leaning her head back and whooping.
I laughed. She reminded me of a college kid cheering on their team.
“Hell yeah” she said, raising up to her full height which was still a good head lower than most. “Team Maeve is going to kick some ass!”
Gwen didn’t say anything more. She looked at the sky, then to us, her strong features just a bit softer with sadness. If it was for Marianna or what was to come, I couldn’t tell.