Chapter 25

We stood in front of the morgue’s wide doors; Ariel’s smaller figure so close to mine, as if she wanted to disappear from all those prying eyes.

Since we have arrived at the hospital, every nurse and doctor who wasn’t busy with something came to console her and she was on autopilot.

She nodded her head in acknowledgment; she hugged back and said a few thank you.

I was way out of my elements here, and couldn’t do anything to make this better.

My brother said that she has to face her reality to move on or this would turn ugly. I knew that he was right, but it didn’t mean that I didn’t want to help her.

Like right now, she stood beside me with one shaky hand stretched out to the door handle and not moving.

“We can go back home and come tomorrow if you are not ready.” She raised her glazed eyes to me.

“I…I want to do this now or I will never do it.”

Michael gave me a look and opened the door for us. Her knees buckled, but I held her tighter and walked inside.

My brother was already talking with someone and after a few moments, they came and stood in front of us.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Miss Evans. We all knew your mother and loved her deeply. She was the sweetest person ever.”

Ariel shook his outstretched hands numbly and nodded. I caressed her back before asking.

“Can we see her?” The Doctor nodded.

Inside, there were two areas unseparated. The space was wide open, but you can guess the layout of the room.

On the right, you can see the coolers where the bodies were stored and on the other side the autopsy suite, where examinations were performed.

In one corner away back they put the stainless steel autopsy table, the one with holes in them, to drain the blood and other fluids.

An empty gurney close by and lots of sinks. They had tubes attached to them. And there was a refrigerated room where the bodies were being stored.

There was a whiteboard on the wall with Rose’s name written on it and some information about her organs, weights, and other stuff.

I focused on the doctor, who opened the big refrigerator and walked inside. After a few seconds, he was back, pushing a gurney with a white sheet above it.

I moved with Ariel beside me and stood in front of them; he pulled the sheet a little and a beautiful black woman’s face greeted us.

Even though she was pale still, she was gorgeous. I can see the similarities between the two clearly now. Ariel was the spitting image of her mother.

Beside me, Ariel gasped and then choked. Her hand covered her wobbly lips.

“I came here still hoping that all of this was a misunderstanding, but it is true. You are gone mom, you left me.”

She staggered into my hands, and I buried her face in my chest. She clutched my suit jacket tightly and sobbed silently.

We finished the paperwork in the hospital and I set the date and Leo talked with a funeral house to prepare for the ceremony and the burial.

All of this happened while Ariel stayed silent beside me. A man in a cheap suit approached us when we were about to leave.

“Miss Evans, May I have a few words with you?”

Ariel looked at him silently, and the man continued.

“I’m Detective Hynes, and as you know, this is a murder case. Rose Evans was murdered with a precision that shows this was not just a theft case turned into a murder.”

I pushed Ariel behind me and faced the man with a sneer.

“Do you think this is a good time, detective? You can see that she is barely holding on.”

He closed his notebook and glared at me. His partner, who didn’t introduce himself, held the man’s arm and said.

“We are deeply sorry, sir. This needs to be done. If I may ask, who are you and what is your relationship with the deceased?”

Is he fucking kidding me? Everyone in this damned city knows who Gabriel Ezra is.

“He is my boyfriend, detective, so please show him some respect. He is a family member too.”

Ariel’s small voice interrupted our glaring. I looked down at her, annoyed she didn’t need to help me, but she ignored my questioning eyes.

The first detective spoke again, this time with enthusiasm that Ariel finally did anything after being silent for a while.

“Yes, Miss Evans, we are deeply sorry. We didn’t know that. Now would you tell us who would have any grudge against your mother to kill her? Does she have any enemies, or this was because of someone else new to your life?”

The man gave me a side look when he said the last part. The fuckers already knew about me and he was implying that I was the reason Rose was murdered.

I closed my eyes, guilt eating at me; he wasn’t wrong.

Ariel’s voice was stronger this time when she answered him.

“My mother was a kind person. Everyone who knew her loved her deeply. And to answer your question, you are the one who should tell me who has killed my mother, not stand here right in front of my face and spew this nonsense. I told you, I don’t like the way you look at my boyfriend and insinuate that he has something to do with my mother’s death.”

The man’s face turned red, either from shame or anger. I didn’t know, but he cleared his throat before speaking again.

“I implied nothing, Miss Evans, but we all know the type of business that your boyfriend runs.”

Ariel walked right into his face, anger written all over her face as she spat.

“No, I don’t know what you mean Mr. Hynes and still I don’t like your tone, so excuse me I’m tired, and please don’t come to talk with me again unless you have some real information about my mother’s case.”

We went back home and Ariel headed straight to the spare room and locked herself inside.

I went back downstairs to my office and fell on my chair, exhausted. Theo and Leo were right behind me.

“Is she ok, Gab?” Leo asked. His face was full of concern. I sighed.

“I don’t know Leo, she is so closed off. I tried to talk with her, but she just says a few words and fall silent again.”

Theo walked to where I was and patted my shoulder. The act was weird and awkward. He wasn’t into physical interaction. So for him, this was too much.

“Give her the time to process. She will be fine after.”

I rubbed my face and pinched my temples. There was a bad feeling growing inside me, but I have no clue what it was.

The wake was brief; they didn’t have relatives or that many friends, but some of Rose’s hospital co-workers came.

The ones whose schedule allowed them. A few nurses came and gave us their condolences, and there were a lot of

“I’m so sorry for your loss.”

To which Ariel nodded. My girl has been silent and cold. Her face was a blank mask and her expressions hollow.

Michael was always with us to keep an eye on my girl, and I appreciated his presence.

Leonidas did well. Rose looked so beautiful in the open casket ceremony.

She was a beautiful woman, just like her daughter.

The funeral ceremony was held at the cemetery. I wanted to finish this quickly and be done with it. There was no need to drag this on.

I admired Ariel’s strength so far, but I didn’t want to push it. So after the religious passages being read, and the eulogy was given as well, we went home.

We didn’t have a funeral reception. My girl started to struggle, and I needed her away from here, but by the car’s door someone called her name and we had to stop.

Her friend Catherine and that Kazutoki kid weren’t far behind. They approached us timidly and then stood in front of us silently.

“What do you want?” I asked them, annoyed now more than before. The kid raised his head and looked at me head-on.

“We came to pay our respects and support Ariel too.” I looked at him, stupefied.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Is this a joke?” The girl shook her head.

“No, it is the truth. We love Ariel. Whatever you think of us, Ariel is our friend and we want to be here for her.”

The girl in question left my embrace and opened the door and sat inside the car, ignoring all of this. I faced the two delusional kids and sneered.

“You can see she doesn’t want any of you here and she definitely doesn’t accept that sorry excuse of apology.”

Theo opened the door for me and stood with his hands crossed above his chest, glaring at our two unwanted companions.

I sat beside my girl, who was hugging herself, and looked outside through the window.

Back at the mansion, the ones who couldn’t come to the funeral were there waiting for us. The whole family was gathered.

They wanted to support the Lady of the house. Maria had made food and everyone helped. The house looked full and warm.

The moment we were inside, Lola ran to us and hugged Ariel tightly.

“Let’s get you refreshed and then spend some time with our family. They all came from everywhere to be present for you, even the little ones.”

I smiled faintly at her, grateful that she was a good friend for my Ariel.

Theo and Leo were standing in the corner talking, and they noticed me looking. After a few words, they came and stood beside me.

Theo spoke after a withering look from my second.

“I made some digging and found a short surveillance video. The man who did it was masked and I couldn’t get a clear view or identify him, but the car he used, its license plate, is in Giovanni’s name. So it is right to presume that he did it or at least had someone do it.”

I accepted a cup of something and downed it before talking.

“We all suspected that. I need facts Theo, not just some assumptions.”

Leo shook his head.

“That is all we can get Gab, and it is fortunate that we know so far.”

I looked around at my family, my mind jumbled. Giovanni has hurt many of my family members, and I did nothing.

“Prepare a petition; we need a hearing with the factions.” Leo hummed, agreeing with me.

“Sir, you have a phone call.” I looked at the man, who interrupted our discussion.

“Who is it?” The man answered awkwardly,

“Mr. Lebedov.” I frowned. It has been a while since I talked with Dimitri, not since I was in Russia, and returned with Sergey. Almost ten years ago.

“I need to take that phone call.” Theo looked at me with worried eyes.

“Come with me Theo. Leo Notify me when Ariel is back.”

My enforcer followed behind me silently. I knew he must be worried. The last time when the three of us met, it wasn’t friendly.

I sat behind my desk and grabbed the phone.

“Ezra!” I said in impatient voice and the man on the other end didn’t waste any time.

“Cerberus, I need a favor and you must help me. I demand it.” I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“There is no need for that tone. How can I help you, Dimitri?” The man sighed loudly.

“Forgive me, my friend, but I seriously need your help. I’m sorry for your loss; I just knew that you have a family emergency.” I thanked him not adding much and waited.

“Yes, there is someone I need Sergey to find for me.” I raised a brow and looked at Theo, who was standing rigidly beside the door.

”Who? And what did they do?”

The man hesitated for a second.

“A woman called Alya Mansour. She stole my....unborn kids. I tried to find her but I couldn’t, but I’m sure Sergey will. He is my only hope, please.”

I stared at Theo, who narrowed his eyes. He can hear the man clearly through the phone’s speaker.

“You know that we don’t hurt women or kids, Dima, but tell me by stealing you mean stole your pregnant wife, or that she is your pregnant wife.”

The man growled impatiently.

“She is my pregnant mistress, Gabriel. She didn’t tell me. I just found out when she had suddenly disappeared. I have been looking for her for nine months, Gabriel. Nine and I’m losing my fucking mind. I need to find her.”

I sighed exasperated “Ok I will talk with Theo and see what he would do.” Dimitri roared.

“NO Gabriel, he needs to move now. I need to find her right now. He will do it or so help me god, you won’t like the consequences.” I chuckled bitterly.

“You know better than threatening me, Lebedov.” Theo shook his head and then nodded.

”Theo said he would do it, but as a favor, Lebedov. He owes you nothing.” The man swallowed audibly.

“Th..Thank you.”

I hung up and glared at Theo, who just shrugged

“It is ok. I can do it. Though I don’t like leaving you alone at the moment.” I stood and patted his shoulder.

“We will be alright, just take care of yourself. We want you back as soon as possible.”