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Chapter 12
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tmkc27
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24 April 2012
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Past in Death
Chapter 12
Eve still hated funerals, but this one was worse. She had gotten so attached to Lori that she felt the grief of both Roarke and Lori. The church was full. Many of the faces Eve knew through Roarke. She and Roarke sat in the second pew behind Lori, the Tibbles and the Whitney’s. When Tibble moved to stand at the podium, Roarke reached over and clutched her hand. Eve covered his hand with her free one. Both stared straight ahead as Tibble began to speak.
“Franchesca was a smart, beautiful, kind woman. She never had a bad thing to say about anyone. She…she loved life and lived life fully. Frannie loved her family and friends unconditionally.” Tibble paused and looked at Lori. “We lost Franchesca but a part of her is still here. The legacy she wanted still lives in her daughter, Lori. Frannie told me…Lori was her greatest achievement.”
Roarke fought to hold back his tears. He looked over when Eve squeezed his hand. “A ghrá.”
“I know.” Eve whispered.
He released her hand and slid his arm around her. He knew later he would grief, but until Lori was safe and Magdalena put away he had to be careful with his public emotions regarding both Lori and Franchesca.
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Eve stood with Whitney and Tibble in a private office. After the funeral everyone came to the house. She grabbed the men and pulled them into the office. “What have you found Dallas?” Whitney asked.
“We believe the person who killed Franchesca is Magdalena Percell. She and Roarke had a past. Six years ago she tried to break Roarke and I up but failed. Sometime after that I believe she found out about Lori. Lori said Magdalena came to Franchesca’s home two months ago posing as a potential home buyer. It’s my belief that she began her plan to kill Franchesca then.” Eve reported.
“Why?” Tibble demanded.
“Revenge. Lori and Peabody feel that she views Lori’s very existence as a betrayal on Roarke’s part. She, and this is my feeling based on dealings with her six years ago, she believes I will leave Roarke because of Lori.” Eve answered.
Whitney frowned. “Six years ago she used the media in her attack on you and Roarke.”
“I know. I haven’t mentioned this to Roarke yet, but I’m waiting for her to do so again. I bet my badge come Monday it will be top story.” Eve stated.
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Lori sat with her Aunt Karla and Aunt Anna. “Lori, are you sure you’re happy with being here? I know you’re protected but…” Anna broke off.
“Aunt Anna, I’m very happy. Actually, the other night Eve brought up the idea of, once the case is closed and all, of making it official.” Lori replied.
Anna was stunned. Karla smiled. “Is that what you want honey?”
“After thinking about it some yes. Yes I do Aunt Karla. I do more than anything.” Lori nodded.
“Karla, you and Harrison wouldn’t really let Lori live here. You two…” Anna began.
Lori rose to her feet while Karla frowned. “Aunt Anna I love you but this is my choice. He’s my father and if you can’t accept that, then so be it.”
“Anna.” Karla growled.
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Lori moved through the throng of people. She accepted the offered condolences as she headed for the door. Lost in thought she didn’t see the young man step in front of her. Until she bumped into him.
“Oh gosh! I’m so…Terry!” Lori gasped.
“Hi.” Terry smiled.
Lori grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the parlor. She drug him down the hall and into the library. The second the door closed she threw herself into his arms and let the tears she had been holding back all morning fall.
“Sshh. Lori, its okay baby. I’m here, I’m here.” Terry whispered as he held her.
“Terry…oh god Terry.” Lori sobbed.
Terry gathered her into his arms and headed for the nearest armchair. Lori clung to him as he rocked her in his lap. Slowly her tears faded, yet Terry continued to hold her close and tight to him.
“Feel better?” He asked.
“Yeah. Thanks Terry.” She nodded.
Terry smiled when she pulled back to look up at him. “Now, mind telling me what really had you upset?”
Lori nibbled her bottom lip. “What do you mean?”
“Lori, I know you’re upset about losing your mom, but that’s not why you were crying. Please tell me.”
“Terry, there’s something I need to tell you. I…but I don’t want you to be upset with me.”
Terry cupped her face. “That will never happen. You can tell me anything.”
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Eve found Roarke talking to Mira. “Hey Mira.”
“Hello Eve.” Mira smiled.
“I was just filling Dr. Mira in on our plan of making Lori family.” Roarke said.
“I think its wonderful Eve. When Chief Tibble told me the situation, I’ll admit I was a bit concerned about how you would take it.” Mira replied.
Eve shrugged. “I wasn’t sure myself till I got to know her. You know, I think she’s eyeing your job.”
“Yes, I’ve been warned by both Chief Tibble and Commander Whitney.” Mira chuckled.
“Speaking of Lori, where is she?” Roarke questioned.
At that moment Summerset approached. “I saw Miss Lori go into the library with a young man. She looked a bit upset.”
Eve and Roarke turned and headed for the library. Then Mira grabbed Roarke’s arm. “Roarke, don’t frighten the young man before you know his relationship to Lori.”
Eve snickered. She too caught the glint in Roarke’s eye when Summerset mentioned a boy was with Lori. Roarke nodded and he and Eve continued to the library.
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“Wow, your dad huh?” Terry commented.
“Yes. Terry, you can’t tell anyone.” Lori said.
“I won’t, not till you say and then I would only tell my parents.” He smiled.
Lori smiled back. A second later that smile turned to a frown. “Terry, I haven’t told dad about us. I’m not sure how he’ll take it.”
“Baby, we haven’t even gone out on a DATE yet.” He chuckled. “Look, let’s just tell him.”
“Tell me what?” Roarke asked.
Terry looked over. He stood and pulled Lori to her feet as well. “I think introductions should be first. I’m Terry O’Ryan. My family and Lori’s have been friends for, well decades. I grew up next door to her.”
Roarke shook the hand Terry offered. “I’m Roarke and this is my wife, Eve.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Terry nodded shaking Eve’s hand as well.
“So Lori told you.” Eve questioned.
“She did and I promise I’ll tell no one. After Mr. Tibble told me she was attacked I was confused but after Lori told me you were her dad, I think I understand better. Whoever killed Ms. Rigby must also know.” Terry answered.
“Smart kid.” Eve smirked.
“Terry is studying to be a criminalist.” Lori added.
“And what is it you two wanted to tell me?” Roarke pushed, though he had a pretty good idea.
“We’re in love sir. We just figured it out the day she was attacked. No, that’s not accurate, we ADMITTED it that day. I’ve loved Lori for at least a year, maybe longer.” Terry said.
“I’ve loved him for just as long. It’s just…neither of us wanted to ruin our friendship.” Lori replied.
“I see. How old are you Terry?” Roarke questioned.
Terry took a breath. “I just turned twenty last month. That’s the other reason I never told her, our ages. It’s a bit of an age gap.”
Eve spoke before Roarke could. “So you’re a senior at NYU then?”
“Terry is actually in his final year of the PhD program. In May he’ll receive his PhD in Criminology.” Lori clarified.
“Ah, a genius like Lori.” Eve smirked.
Roarke said nothing. He just studied Terry. Terry however kept his eyes on Roarke. Lori looked at Eve helplessly. Eve just sighed and Took Lori by the arm and the two headed for the door. At the door, she turned and faced Terry and Roarke.
“Come on Lori, let’s leave these two to have their male pissing contest. Oh and if you two aren’t back in the parlor in fifteen, I’m coming in here, kicking your asses then I’ll let Lori kick your asses and we’ll both drag you out.”
Lori was snickering as she was pulled from the room by Eve. When the door closed, Roarke gestured for Terry to have a seat. He wanted to find out what exactly Terry wanted from his daughter.
T.B.C
Chapter 12
Eve still hated funerals, but this one was worse. She had gotten so attached to Lori that she felt the grief of both Roarke and Lori. The church was full. Many of the faces Eve knew through Roarke. She and Roarke sat in the second pew behind Lori, the Tibbles and the Whitney’s. When Tibble moved to stand at the podium, Roarke reached over and clutched her hand. Eve covered his hand with her free one. Both stared straight ahead as Tibble began to speak.
“Franchesca was a smart, beautiful, kind woman. She never had a bad thing to say about anyone. She…she loved life and lived life fully. Frannie loved her family and friends unconditionally.” Tibble paused and looked at Lori. “We lost Franchesca but a part of her is still here. The legacy she wanted still lives in her daughter, Lori. Frannie told me…Lori was her greatest achievement.”
Roarke fought to hold back his tears. He looked over when Eve squeezed his hand. “A ghrá.”
“I know.” Eve whispered.
He released her hand and slid his arm around her. He knew later he would grief, but until Lori was safe and Magdalena put away he had to be careful with his public emotions regarding both Lori and Franchesca.
******************************************************************************
Eve stood with Whitney and Tibble in a private office. After the funeral everyone came to the house. She grabbed the men and pulled them into the office. “What have you found Dallas?” Whitney asked.
“We believe the person who killed Franchesca is Magdalena Percell. She and Roarke had a past. Six years ago she tried to break Roarke and I up but failed. Sometime after that I believe she found out about Lori. Lori said Magdalena came to Franchesca’s home two months ago posing as a potential home buyer. It’s my belief that she began her plan to kill Franchesca then.” Eve reported.
“Why?” Tibble demanded.
“Revenge. Lori and Peabody feel that she views Lori’s very existence as a betrayal on Roarke’s part. She, and this is my feeling based on dealings with her six years ago, she believes I will leave Roarke because of Lori.” Eve answered.
Whitney frowned. “Six years ago she used the media in her attack on you and Roarke.”
“I know. I haven’t mentioned this to Roarke yet, but I’m waiting for her to do so again. I bet my badge come Monday it will be top story.” Eve stated.
******************************************************************************
Lori sat with her Aunt Karla and Aunt Anna. “Lori, are you sure you’re happy with being here? I know you’re protected but…” Anna broke off.
“Aunt Anna, I’m very happy. Actually, the other night Eve brought up the idea of, once the case is closed and all, of making it official.” Lori replied.
Anna was stunned. Karla smiled. “Is that what you want honey?”
“After thinking about it some yes. Yes I do Aunt Karla. I do more than anything.” Lori nodded.
“Karla, you and Harrison wouldn’t really let Lori live here. You two…” Anna began.
Lori rose to her feet while Karla frowned. “Aunt Anna I love you but this is my choice. He’s my father and if you can’t accept that, then so be it.”
“Anna.” Karla growled.
******************************************************************************
Lori moved through the throng of people. She accepted the offered condolences as she headed for the door. Lost in thought she didn’t see the young man step in front of her. Until she bumped into him.
“Oh gosh! I’m so…Terry!” Lori gasped.
“Hi.” Terry smiled.
Lori grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the parlor. She drug him down the hall and into the library. The second the door closed she threw herself into his arms and let the tears she had been holding back all morning fall.
“Sshh. Lori, its okay baby. I’m here, I’m here.” Terry whispered as he held her.
“Terry…oh god Terry.” Lori sobbed.
Terry gathered her into his arms and headed for the nearest armchair. Lori clung to him as he rocked her in his lap. Slowly her tears faded, yet Terry continued to hold her close and tight to him.
“Feel better?” He asked.
“Yeah. Thanks Terry.” She nodded.
Terry smiled when she pulled back to look up at him. “Now, mind telling me what really had you upset?”
Lori nibbled her bottom lip. “What do you mean?”
“Lori, I know you’re upset about losing your mom, but that’s not why you were crying. Please tell me.”
“Terry, there’s something I need to tell you. I…but I don’t want you to be upset with me.”
Terry cupped her face. “That will never happen. You can tell me anything.”
******************************************************************************
Eve found Roarke talking to Mira. “Hey Mira.”
“Hello Eve.” Mira smiled.
“I was just filling Dr. Mira in on our plan of making Lori family.” Roarke said.
“I think its wonderful Eve. When Chief Tibble told me the situation, I’ll admit I was a bit concerned about how you would take it.” Mira replied.
Eve shrugged. “I wasn’t sure myself till I got to know her. You know, I think she’s eyeing your job.”
“Yes, I’ve been warned by both Chief Tibble and Commander Whitney.” Mira chuckled.
“Speaking of Lori, where is she?” Roarke questioned.
At that moment Summerset approached. “I saw Miss Lori go into the library with a young man. She looked a bit upset.”
Eve and Roarke turned and headed for the library. Then Mira grabbed Roarke’s arm. “Roarke, don’t frighten the young man before you know his relationship to Lori.”
Eve snickered. She too caught the glint in Roarke’s eye when Summerset mentioned a boy was with Lori. Roarke nodded and he and Eve continued to the library.
******************************************************************************
“Wow, your dad huh?” Terry commented.
“Yes. Terry, you can’t tell anyone.” Lori said.
“I won’t, not till you say and then I would only tell my parents.” He smiled.
Lori smiled back. A second later that smile turned to a frown. “Terry, I haven’t told dad about us. I’m not sure how he’ll take it.”
“Baby, we haven’t even gone out on a DATE yet.” He chuckled. “Look, let’s just tell him.”
“Tell me what?” Roarke asked.
Terry looked over. He stood and pulled Lori to her feet as well. “I think introductions should be first. I’m Terry O’Ryan. My family and Lori’s have been friends for, well decades. I grew up next door to her.”
Roarke shook the hand Terry offered. “I’m Roarke and this is my wife, Eve.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Terry nodded shaking Eve’s hand as well.
“So Lori told you.” Eve questioned.
“She did and I promise I’ll tell no one. After Mr. Tibble told me she was attacked I was confused but after Lori told me you were her dad, I think I understand better. Whoever killed Ms. Rigby must also know.” Terry answered.
“Smart kid.” Eve smirked.
“Terry is studying to be a criminalist.” Lori added.
“And what is it you two wanted to tell me?” Roarke pushed, though he had a pretty good idea.
“We’re in love sir. We just figured it out the day she was attacked. No, that’s not accurate, we ADMITTED it that day. I’ve loved Lori for at least a year, maybe longer.” Terry said.
“I’ve loved him for just as long. It’s just…neither of us wanted to ruin our friendship.” Lori replied.
“I see. How old are you Terry?” Roarke questioned.
Terry took a breath. “I just turned twenty last month. That’s the other reason I never told her, our ages. It’s a bit of an age gap.”
Eve spoke before Roarke could. “So you’re a senior at NYU then?”
“Terry is actually in his final year of the PhD program. In May he’ll receive his PhD in Criminology.” Lori clarified.
“Ah, a genius like Lori.” Eve smirked.
Roarke said nothing. He just studied Terry. Terry however kept his eyes on Roarke. Lori looked at Eve helplessly. Eve just sighed and Took Lori by the arm and the two headed for the door. At the door, she turned and faced Terry and Roarke.
“Come on Lori, let’s leave these two to have their male pissing contest. Oh and if you two aren’t back in the parlor in fifteen, I’m coming in here, kicking your asses then I’ll let Lori kick your asses and we’ll both drag you out.”
Lori was snickering as she was pulled from the room by Eve. When the door closed, Roarke gestured for Terry to have a seat. He wanted to find out what exactly Terry wanted from his daughter.
T.B.C
