The Wife's Resolve

Chapter 14:Unfortunate Consequence

Valerie returned to her office the following week. Passing by Penelope's desk, she still felt conflicted. People who worked in the office with her had left candles, flowers, and cards on her desk in remembrance. She wanted retribution for the accident. She wanted justice for her. Penelope did not survive the accident, and her funeral was scheduled for this afternoon. Valerie carried her black dress into her office and hung it in the closet. Paxton had asked her to meet him before the service. Valerie had not spoken to Paxton since Damon had kicked him out of the hospital and threatened to kill him. Although Damon did not like it, because of the day he allowed Valerie to attend the service with Paxton. He would meet her at the gravesite.

Paxton walked in a few minutes later. He was angry and looked like he had not slept in ages. Valerie's heart hurt. "I'm so sorry, Paxton." Tears fell as she spoke, "She was too young. She was not supposed to die."

"My family says I need to accept it. That it was her time, that it was a sacrifice for the family, and other s**t like that. But I intend to find the person who is responsible for the second hit." He said angrily.

"I'm sure you will," she hugged him, trying to offer what little comfort she could. "If there is anything I can do to help."

"Actually, there is," he pulled a file from his briefcase.

"I have a list here of everyone who is registered with a red sports car in this area. After the police impounded your car, I was actually able to get some evidence. My expert tells me that, according to the paint, it can only belong to one of these people."

"Are you working with Nicoli on this?" Valerie asked.

"Nicoli," he laughed, "No, Donivan and I have our only theory on the matter, and we are running with it."

"Donivan," Valerie repeated the name, "You have worked so hard to stay out of the business. Why would you go to the top enforcer to run leads when Nicoli is already investigating this?"

"Because Donivan is all business. I need answers for what happened that night, not a cover-up," He reiterated, clenching his fists, "I will see that person punished for her death if it is the last thing I do."

"You think Nicoli will cover it up?" she asked, uncertain why he would think this.

"What I think is that this investigation will lead to the family, and Damon will tell him too."

Valerie thought for a minute, and a look of realization came across her face, "You think you know who it is?"

"I have my suspicions, but that is not enough to act on," he paused and looked away, "unless I want to find myself in the grave next to Penelope."

"Do you think you are in danger?" Valerie asked.

"Am I in danger?" Paxton laughed. "Aren't we all every minute because of the family. Penelope was not involved in the business. She, like me, had distanced herself from that life. She wanted to be happy and not be afraid for her life on a daily basis, but you want to know the real truth," he pounded his fist into his other hand, "we forgot the enemy is sometimes hiding in your own family. We let our guard down, and she died."

"It was an accident, Paxton," she insisted, "she could not have been prepared for that."

"The fact that you think it was an accident shows you can't accept the reality. I'm sure Damon does not view it as an accident, does he?"

Valerie shook her head, "No, he does not. He believes it was a failed hit." She said calmly, trying not to add fuel to the fire. "However, both of you are missing something important, and that is evidence."

"Only one of us is missing the clear evidence before him, and it is not me. Surely Nicoli has come to the same conclusion as me, which either means Damon knows and is not protecting the person or he knows and is planning something."

Valerie lifted the list he had handed her to read. The list contained fifteen names. While she recognized a few names on the list, one name stood out: Evelyn Iris."Paxton, today, we are going to remember Penelope for everything that she was. Tomorrow we are going to begin looking into one Evelyn Iris. By the end of the week, I want to know everything there is to know about her. "

Paxton agreed and went back to his office while she got ready. Valerie changed into her black lace dress. Once she was ready, she knocked on his office door. "Are you ready to go?" Paxton closed his computer and stood up. He walked toward the back of the room and picked up the white bouquets of white roses that he had picked up on the way.

They walked out. Valerie held onto the flowers as Paxton opened the door. He helped her in the car, unbeknownst to them both, a photographer clicking away in the distance. He shut the door, and they headed to the grave site.

Stepping out of the car at the cemetery, Valerie felt a mix of emotions. Their family and friends were gathered around the open grave in the center. "Here," Valerie handed two of the bouquets to him, "I will see you after the service." Paxton went to stand with his family, while Valerie went to stand with Damon. The air felt cold, and the rain threatened to fall. It was sober, but there was no crying.

Damon stepped forward, "Penelope King was a beautiful young woman who was taken away from us much too soon. She was full of energy. She loved the law, and she loved this pack. She cared for everyone in it, from the younger pup to the oldest family leader. It would be easy at a time like this to seek revenge for this untimely accident. To let our minds be pulled into battles of what she or we could have done differently. To tear ourselves apart, but we need to work together. It was a tragic accident, and she will be missed by us all. "

When he finished, Valerie stepped forward, "Penelope worked at Black and Dare Associates for almost a year. She was truly a bright light in a dark world. Every day, she sought to find ways to help and bring to my attention the needs in this pack. She was truly the best of us all. Penelope and I developed a strong friendship based on love, respect, and jokes. In her memory, Paxton and I have brought white roses. If Penelope touched your life as she did ours, please come forward, grab a white rose, and share a memory of Penelope with the pack to help us all grieve together. Penelope would have loved this day to be filled with laughter, so do please try and come up with a funny anecdote for her sake." Valerie selected one white rose. "On her first day in the office, she asked me if Paxton's eyes were jellybean blue or blue like MMs. It was the funniest question I have ever been asked. Since I told her jellybeans, she had ordered ten cases of blue jellybeans for the office. However, she messed up on the order form for 100 cases. I brought a pack with me to leave with her." Valerie placed a bag of blue jellybeans on the coffin as well as a white rose.

She then went back to where Damon was standing. He wrapped his arms around her for the remainder of the service. There were many laughs and only a few tears as they lowered her into the ground. Damon led Valerie to the car. The drive home passed quickly. When they arrived home, Valerie headed for their room. Damon flipped on the TV, swore, and threw something. Valerie ran into the living room and saw pictures of Paxton helping her into the car with the roses, a picture of him smiling at her at the grave sight, and a picture of her wrecked car. The reporter in the background reports, "It would seem Mrs. Dare arrived at the funeral of a Miss Penelope King this afternoon with the victim's brother and left with her husband. Is there trouble in paradise? A source close to the family claims Mrs. Dare and Penelope King were both in the car when it went over a bridge and into the river last week. Penelope King suffered injuries that resulted in her death. At least one witness has come forward, according to authorities, claiming the accident was a result of a hit-and-run. Officers say the family has been less than helpful in the investigation. It is a troubling time for the Dare Family. Is a cover-up in the works? Is a turf war on the horizon? Are the Dares under investigation for this accident?"

Valerie sat on the couch watching all the speculations play out. Damon, however, grabbed his keys and yelled as he exited the house, "I'll be back later, do not leave this house!"