More Than a Mission - Caridad Pineiro [85]
It matched what Lizzy had told him about her sister. Lizzy, who sat there flanked by Kate and Samantha on either side and Natalie behind her, but sitting on the edge of her chair with her hand on Lizzy’s shoulder. As he examined the crowd, he noted other familiar faces—Addy and others from the hedge veg adventure. Some people he recalled serving drinks to at the restaurant.
He had no doubt she would be well taken care of by her friends, family and the assorted neighbors and townspeople who had filled the restaurant to capacity. As he looked toward the door, he realized there was a crowd of people there, as well, and that the back wall and sides of the dining area were standing room only.
Dani had apparently been well-liked and respected. It made him wonder about Lizzy’s sister and what she really was—a champion or a cold-blooded killer?
Finally it was Lizzy’s turn. As she rose, he thought she wavered for a moment. Kate reached out and offered a steadying hand and Lizzy took it, let Kate help her up to the podium.
Once there, she hesitated and even from this far, the glint of tears was visible as she took note of everyone who was in attendance. “Thank you all for coming. I appreciate it. I know Dani does, as well.”
She struggled for composure and he wanted to rush up there, found himself beginning to rise when Walker laid a hand on his arm. “What can you offer, Aidan? You’ll be long gone in a few days,” he whispered.
He hated that Walker was right. He dejectedly dropped back down into his seat and waited for Lizzy to go on.
“After my parents died, it was hard for Dani. She missed them terribly. She wanted justice for them.” Again she paused, as if reconsidering where she was going, but then she charged onward. “Dani always stood up for what she believed in. Always was there to help if someone asked. She was everyone’s champion. She was my champion. My best friend. A sister who I will miss every day of my life, but who will always be alive in here,” she said and motioned to a spot above her heart.
“I know Dani is okay and in a better place. One where she’s with her loved ones. One where she’s happy. Because of that, I can’t grieve for long.”
The tears finally came, spilling over to run down her cheeks, but she didn’t wipe them away. Instead, she took a shuddering breath and said, “Thank you all for your kind words and support. For those of you who wish to stay a bit longer, please step into the back garden for some refreshments.”
Moving from behind the podium, she stepped into the crowd of well-wishers, moving from one to the next to give her personal thanks. Embrace one person or the other and motion them in the direction of the side door that led to the back patio.
Aidan waited alongside his colleagues until the room was almost empty and they were some of the last people standing there. Lizzy finally seemed to notice them. A guarded smile came to her face.
She walked over, embraced Lucia and shook Walker’s hand. They both offered their condolences and then with a sidelong glance at him, excused themselves.
Lizzy stood before him, her hands clasped together. Her body language sending the clear signal that she was uncomfortable. That whatever he did, he shouldn’t touch.
He broke the ice first by holding out the bouquet. “I came to say how sorry I am. I know how hard this is for you.”
“Thank you. I really do appreciate all you’ve done on behalf of Dani,” she said, but made no motion to embrace him or even shake his hand as she had with Walker. She seemed too fragile to do so. When she took the flowers, she cradled them tightly to her body. So tightly that a petal fell off one stem and fluttered to the ground.
“Well, I’ll be going soon. In the meantime, I was going to drop by tomorrow and remove our surveillance equipment,” he explained and motioned to