C30 Chapter 30
Want to meet? No doubt you’re aware I’m no longer a threat to you. Zane sent the message to Hope.
Why? As I recall you didn’t like me very much when we last met.
I’m sorry Hope. I’ve given everything some thought and I realize that you had no choice but to do what you did. If you were in my shoes, you would have had the same reaction.
Come around to my place. Let’s have dinner.
I’ll think about it. You don’t seem to be too pissed at the fact that your career’s over.
I can sit here and cry about it or accept that life goes on. I have opportunities to explore and some cash in the bank, Zane replied. It’ll probably mean leaving Hurstville but then you go where your job takes you.
Okay. I’ll think about it, Hope replied.
Zane left the messages at that. There was no more he could do. He contacted the funeral home in Hurstville and pretended to be a relative from out of town.
He said he would be attending Amanda’s mother’s funeral the next day but needed to know where and when it would be. The secretary at the funeral home gave him the details for the next day. Zane thanked her and hung up.
He would go to the funeral. He had nothing else to do after all and at least he could see Mandy one last time he thought. Hope didn’t contact him again or come around that evening. Zane didn’t press her. He had tried.
Zane woke early the next morning. He made breakfast and coffee and took his time. Then he showered and dressed and headed to the funeral. He did not attend the church service but went to the burial at the cemetery.
Zane stayed away from the graveside and stood some distance off leaning against a tree. He watched the mourners arrive and gather at the graveside. He recognized some of them. Mostly residents of Hurstville. Some people he didn’t recognize.
Amanda was dressed in black and wore a veil and walked slowly to the graveside. She spotted Zane standing under the tree and she hesitated, looking at him briefly then another mourner caught up to her and spoke with her. Taking her elbow, they walked with her to the graveside.
Zane stayed throughout the service. There was probably no need but he was curious to see if she was being followed in any way by the people that had ended his career. They seemed to have left him alone since he had signed his confession and the story had been carried out on the news.
When the service was over and the mourners began departing the graveside, Amanda walked up to where Zane stood.
“Thank you for coming,” she said as she wiped tears with a tissue.
“You’re welcome. And again, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you still leaving today?”
“I was planning on leaving direct from here to the airport but some of the mother’s friends asked to get together at the house after the burial. They loved and cared for her. I owe her that. I’ll be leaving after that.”
‘Okay,” Zane paused trying to see her eyes clearly behind her veil.
“Is there something else?” Amanda asked.
“I ... I wanted to ask you for a favor.”
“Depends what it is,” Amanda replied.
“Do you still have the cabin up in the woods?”
“I do.”
“I wanted to ask if I could use it just for a couple of days.”
“Why?” Amanda asked with a tone of suspicion.
“I’m off the force now Amanda. I’m sure you heard. I’d still like to try and clear my name but if I start making waves, then I’m not going to be safe at my place. I know you maybe don’t believe me but I hope you can find even the smallest piece of trust to help me.”
She stared at him silently for a moment. Then she lifted her handbag and opened it. She reached inside and searched for something. Finally, she extracted a key and handed it to him.
“This is the key. Please don’t disappoint me.”
Zane smiled. “Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”
“You’re welcome. I hope,” she said. She hesitated a moment longer then added, “Good luck Zane. Goodbye.”
Then she turned and walked away.
He longed to go after her but stopped himself. Now wasn’t the time. He would just have to settle with being grateful that she had trusted him enough to give him a place to stay for a few days.
