Page 74 of Forgotten Deeds

The officers file out of the pew on the other side, helping Ethan carry the casket out of the church. The service comes to a conclusion, and I help Iris with her shoes before walking to the car. Getting us situated, I maneuver my SUV in the funeral procession, following everyone to the cemetery. “There’s more?” Iris wonders.

“Yes. This is the cemetery. It’s a place where we can come any time you want and remember your dad.”

“I already remember him,” Iris says matter-of-factly.

“I know you do, sweetie.” Hopefully, a few of those memories of her dad are happy ones; I fear they aren’t.

Reaching the gravesite, the preacher proves he’s still just as long-winded here as he was at the church. Finally, everyone’s invited to toss a flower onto the casket. I accept a rose and hand it to Iris, explaining to her what to do. Holding her in my arms, I walk us to the casket. She tosses the rose, her expression giving nothing away.

The graveside service comes to a conclusion, and Iris and I mill about in the back, waiting to speak to Ethan. I wave at him, but before we can make our way through the crowd, Harrison’s dad appears. “Hey, Lily. We’ve never met. I’m Harrison’s old man. And this pretty young lady must be Iris. I’m your grandpa,” he addresses her, and I mentally cringe. My daughter’s been through enough for one day without a new family member popping out of the woodwork.

“No you’re not,” Iris says, and I have to choke down a laugh. From the mouth of babes.

“I am,” he assures her. “Lily, I was wondering if I could follow you to Harrison’s house. I’d like to keep a few personal mementos to remember my son.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have access to Harrison’s house,” I tell him. Had this man been in his son’s life, he would have known Harrison and I weren’t together.

“Who do you think would?” he presses.

“I’m not sure. If you’ll excuse us,” I say, walking off. It’s rude, yes, but my bullshit meter is running low at the moment.

Tracking down Ethan, I tell him quietly, “You might be right about a certain individual’s motives.”

He glances over my shoulder at Harrison’s dad, then back to me. “What I figured. Hey, I just learned Harrison’s house has been cleared, so I can let you in. I still have a spare key,” he tells me.

“Cleared?” I ask.

“The C-R-I-M-E scene,” he spells.

“Sweetie, why don’t you play a game while Ethan and I talk,” I tell Iris, leading her to the front row of folding chairs and pulling up a game on my phone.

Returning to Ethan now that Iris is out of earshot, I admit, “I’m not sure if I feel comfortable going through Harrison’s things.”

“Iris is his next of kin, so whatever possessions of Harrison’s are hers now,” he points out.

“I haven’t even thought that far ahead,” I admit, toying with my evil eye pendant.

Ethan nods. “You’ll also want to apply for social security for Iris, and there’s a compensation fund for surviving dependents of police officers. I can get you the paperwork and help with anything else you need. But you might want to hire a lawyer for the probate stuff.”

“Ethan, that would be amazing. Thank you,” I say.

“Of course. I’ve got time now, if you want to follow me over to his house,” he offers.

“You said the crime scene has been cleared. Is there…” I trail off. “Blood?”

He shakes his head. “Me and some buddies hired a company that cleaned up the scene,” he assures me. “It’s safe to come inside.”

“That was really thoughtful,” I tell him.

He shrugs away the compliment. “Do you have time now?”

“Sure, we’ll meet you there. I’d really like to find a rainbow charm Iris made Harrison for Father’s Day,” I explain. Maybe it’ll be something to help her with those happy memories.

“Then we’ll look for it,” he says, walking us to the parking lot.

I get Iris situated in her car seat before sliding behind the wheel. Sending a text to Darius, I pull out behind Ethan—following him to Harrison’s house. By the time we make our way across the city, Darius has already beaten us there, parked across the street.

I park in front of the house, and Ethan smiles as he approaches, but stops short when he spots Darius hustling over to my SUV. “Thank you,” I tell my husband, giving him a quick kiss when he helps me out of the vehicle. “I didn’t want to leave Iris by herself while Ethan and I go through the house, in case it upsets her being here,” I quietly explain.

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