Kenhardt - Secrets 21

‘My grandmother did.’ ‘Right, your gran lived there,’ Joe remembered. ‘Why did she leave?’ Jordan shrugged. ‘I don’t know. She was born there. It was a small town. She left, got married, had my Dad.’ ‘I guess Kenhardt isn’t for everyone.’ ‘Guess not,’ she said. ‘Okay, let’s change the subject.’ ‘Let’s.’ ‘You’re still able to get off work early on Tuesday, right?’ she asked. ‘What’s Tuesday?’ Her face altered and Joe knew that look. He had forgotten something. And now he was screwed. ‘Your birthday!’ He quickly remembered. How could he forget his own girlfriend’s birthday?’ Of course. Sorry. Just a bit distracted, that’s all. Yes, of course I’ll be there. Dinner at your parents place. Yes, Yes.’ ‘Good’ ‘Hey,’ Joe said, conjuring a new thought. ‘Your grandmother will be there, right?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Maybe I can talk with her, see if she remembers anything from that summer.’ ‘You’re seriously going to harass my grandmother about your serial killer fetish?’ ‘She lived there! Maybe she can give me insights.’ ‘She’s never mentioned it before.’ ‘Well, I’m assuming grandmothers don’t usually tell their grandkids bedtime stories about murder.’ ‘You could give it a shot, I guess,’ Jordan said. ‘She loves talking with anyone. Give her your ear and she’ll talk it off.’ Joe laughed. ‘Perfect. I look forward to it.’ It’s a given that nobody like funerals. They’re dark and depressing and serve as one reminder: Life is too short. It can be taken away from anyone - anytime, anywhere. Nobody wants to attend the funeral of a sixteen - year - old girl, let alone three of them. Joe could feel the calamity in the air. Rows of people dressed in black. Sobs and whimpers, sniffled noses and tissues. Today was everyone’s time to say goodbye. It was a sunny day - beautiful weather for mid- May. George and Rosie Taylor stood near the front of the church, greeting each person who came over to give them their condolences. A few feet away from the Taylor’s were the Barnes. Vivian and Patrick were standing in front of a large mosaic photo collage that some of the girls’ classmates had made up. They were marvelling at it, taking in each and every photograph of their daughter and her friends. Kelsey was nowhere to be seen. Near the back of the room were the Wilson’s. Pamela stood off to the side slightly as John and Mary - Ellen Wilson spoke to people, Jonah and Chloe beside them, Red Eyes, damp cheeks. Joe spotted Oliver Harris speaking with a few other students from St Paul’s. He debated making his way over, but remembered Jordan’s words and decided to wait until the service was finished. The funeral would be over, but this investigation was far from it. Everybody took their seats and the Pastor made his way to the podium at the front of the church. He turned on the microphone and cleared his throat. All eyes were on him. ‘We are gathered here to say farewell to three daughters of God,’ he began. ‘Anya Elizabeth Wilson, Haddie Anne Renee Daisy Taylor, and Kiera Mae Barnes. In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we ask to bring peace and Faith to the families who are suffering an immense loss. Our Father in Heaven, we thank you that, through Jesus Christ, you have given us the Gift of Eternal life. Keep us firm in the faith, that nothing can separate us from your Love. When we lose someone who is dear to us, help us to receive your comfort and to share it with one another. We thank you for what you have given us through Anya, Haddie and Kiera. We now entrust ourselves to you , just as we are, with our sense of loss and of guilt. When the time has come, let us depart in peace, and see you face to face, for you are the God of our salvation. Amen.’ Once the service was over, everyone headed outside to watch the caskets be placed in the ground. Usually in a murder investigation, the time it takes to examine and release the body to the families can vary. However, Dr Kelvin finished examining the bodies to the fullest extent and released them yesterday. That way, the girls could have a proper burial and finally rest in peace. Friends and family walked forwards to place a flower on the coffin, sprinkle some dirt on top. Everyone’s heart nearly broke when young Jonah Wilson walked forward to say his final goodbye to his sister. The reception afterwards was held at the Barnes’ home. Large enough to hold everyone with enough property to go along with it, everyone made their way across town to gather once again. The aura had shifted slightly. Most of the tears had ceased and people were trying to remain optimistic. Rather than crying and sequestering themselves, people were congregating to discuss the girls. Reminiscing on the happy moments, the memories. Mary - Ellen was talking to a few of the mother’s from the school about Anya and the girls when they were in primary school. The phases of hair styles they went through, their gradation trip that went horribly wrong. There was laughter and smiles, which made Joe feel reassured knowing he was about to begin the questioning, yet again. Joe spotted the girls he spoke with the day prior and made his way over. Gabriella, Rachel, Miera and Sadie were standing near the staircase talking with a few other girls he didn’t recognize. ‘Ladies,’ Joe said as he approached them. ‘My condolences.’ They nodded their heads solemnly, muttering. ’ thank you.’ ‘This is the detective working the case,’ Rachel explained to the other girls. ‘Detective O’Reily,’ he said. ‘Brittany,’ said one girl. Followed by, ‘Layla.’ And, ‘Gemma.’ ‘How are you all holding up?’ Joe asked. ‘Alright,’ Miera forced a small smile. ‘It was tough,’ Gabriella said. She was hardly wearing any makeup and looked substantially different, a look of exhaustion in her eyes. ‘Any news on the investigation?’ Rachel asked. ‘Making progress,’ Joe said. ‘ I wanted to ask you some more questions. Perhaps you three may be able to help as well,’ he said to the others. Brittany, Layla, Gemma. He recognized one of the names from the Facebook page. ‘Anything we can do to help,’ Layla said. ‘We’ve already gone over a lot,’ Joe said. ‘I’m just trying to trace this all back to something. A problem or incident that might have occurred in the past that altered the girls in some way. Some people have noted that the girls were acting differently these last few months. Did any of you notice anything within the days leading up to Tuesday? Even the night before, or the morning of?’ It was silent for a moment as the girls all thought collectively. Gabriella spoke first. ‘Now That I think of it,’ she said, ‘Haddie seemed a bit bitchy on Monday. We were supposed to go out for lunch, but she cancelled on me. Said she had other things to deal with.’ ‘Why didn’t you mention this before?’ Joe asked. ‘I completely forgot. It wasn’t until you mentioned weird behaviour just now.’ ‘Alright,’ Joe said. ‘What about Anya or Kiera?’ The girls remained quiet. ‘I don’t know if this has any relevance or not,’ the girl, Gemma, said. ‘I have Biology with Kiera and Haddie in first period. They’re usually lab partners. But on Tuesday morning. Haddie asked the teacher if she could switch.’ Everyone turned to Gemma. ‘What?’ Rachel asked, notably taken back by this comment. ‘What the heck?’ Gabriella echoed her astonishment. ‘This was Tuesday morning?’ Joe asked. ‘You’re Sure….?’