Page 102 of White Raven (Nevermore Duet #2)

SALUTE

It was fitting…the cold bite in the air today.

Unfair though, that they’d be laying Captain Foley to rest on an absolutely gorgeous day—a day that was blindingly bright, unlike all their spirits.

Sarah foresaw it being a gloomy, overcast blanket of grief on what would undoubtedly be one of their hardest days…

and it almost pissed her off that she’d been wrong.

Athan had been in the bathroom for nearly an hour after she’d gotten out, and he hadn’t spoken a single word all morning.

She understood it enough to leave him alone, even though it was killing her not to knock on that narrow bathroom door.

She’d been shopping with Wren earlier this week to honor Foley by buying something respectful, expensive, and better suited for the occasion than what they both had hanging in their closets.

A sea of black clothing, and one would assume that they had something appropriate…

but neither one of them could choose a single thing that seemed deserving of the man that was so important to Boston as a whole.

Sarah stood in front of the full-length mirror, smoothing out the sleek black dress, and pushing her hair back as she started carefully removing all the hoops and studs from her ears.

Her tattoos were barely visible on her legs through the black hose, and the suede pumps set the entire ensemble off.

Foley would have smiled at her effort. Poe sputtered from his perch stand, watching her as if he agreed.

Wren’s telltale knock at the front door distracted her, and she continued to remove her piercings as she clacked to the door to answer it.

She hadn’t seen Wren try that dress on the other day.

She looked absolutely stunning. As did Brent, who paired his best black three-piece suit with a black tie that had a simple blue line through it.

“Damn,” Wren smiled, looking her over. “You’re gonna have me batting for the other team, bestie.” They hugged, and Wren made her way inside while Brent leaned in to brush a chaste kiss to her cheek and followed Wren into the apartment.

“You both look flawless,” Sarah said, softly closing the door, and returning to the mirror. “Wren, can you help me? I can’t get this last hoop out.” Wren nodded, walking awkwardly in her foreign heels as she made her way over. Brent chuckled through his nose.

“Shutup, bastard,” she snorted.

“You look about like Sarah did, tripping over that dress at the benefit.” Sarah shot him a glare and stuck her middle finger up while Wren pried out the earring, snickering.

“Where’s Detective Brood?” she asked, tossing the hoop into Sarah’s tiny jewelry box on the side table next to the mirror.

Sarah nodded towards the bathroom, and shook her head silently, indicating Athan was in no mood today.

Brent tightened his mouth in sympathy. Wren fluffed Sarah’s hair back down her shoulders, fixing pieces, and nodding.

“Rhae-Rhae hasn’t spoken all morning. I think yesterday was hard enough without adding this to it.

But wait til you see her, dude. She just about got a tear outta me. ”

“Jenkins, too…” Brent added, shoving his hands into his suit jacket. “They both look like completely different people.”

As if on cue, the doorknob unlocked, and slowly turned, and Athan turned the light off as he stepped out of the bathroom. Sarah’s breath caught in her throat.

Mother Mary…

His formal dress uniform was immaculate.

Shoes were shined. His white gloves might as well have sparkled, and the hat sat proudly over his brow.

His hair was slicked back beneath it, and he was clean-shaven, and poised.

She couldn’t stop her heart from pounding, or her mouth from dropping open…

especially when those blazing blue eyes met hers.

Brent and Wren seemed about the same—utterly speechless as they all gawked at him.

Sarah slowly made her way over, standing toe-to-toe with him, and smiling with a pride she’d never felt as she carefully adjusted his collar, and brushed her fingertips over the shining silver buttons of his jacket. “I’m at a loss for words, detective.”

Athan swallowed, and his sorrow burned through that stare. He was at a loss too, and it had nothing to do with the way he looked.

You remember when I left your apartment the day I found out the truth about what happened in the alley?

His eyes went glassy, and he stared at her, offering a slight nod.

I walked all the way here in the rain. I told myself I was gonna be alright.

That I just needed to get through this day…

I’d allow myself that one day…and then I’d pick myself up and march on.

We’ve all been through so much, Athan. And we’ll all get through this, too. We just have to get through this day.

It seemed like it took all of his effort not to choke up, but he nodded again and pulled her to him.

Their arms found their way around each other and squeezed tight.

Brent and Wren gave them the moment, excusing themselves to wait downstairs.

He finally pulled back, steeling himself, and straightening his jacket.

“I remember the day I sat across from Foley in his office, reporting on the case me and Rhaena were working on. I remember it so clearly. That split-second that he handed me a file and told me that he wanted me to go check out a lead. I never realized that my captain handed my entire life over to me in that little folder. But… he must have. He asked if I was alright…always called me ‘kid’. He never judged me. Even when he was starting to figure out what I was. What I’d done.

And when he realized I was in love with you, I think he even helped me realize it.

He was always so protective of Rhaena when it came to me.

I think somehow, he always knew… everything .

I know I’m not ready to say goodbye, and I may not have ever had a dad, Sarah…

but laying him to rest today feels the same as the day I buried my mother. I’m glad I’m not alone this time.”

“No,” Sarah whimpered, taking his face in her hands while her heart slowly broke. “You’re not, baby.”

“Nevermore,” Poe trilled from the perch stand. He and Sarah softly smiled at one another and he straightened himself, offering her his arm.

“I’m ready.”

The service couldn’t have been more perfect.

Jenkins even managed to get Commander Hale to speak after the pastor, and the heaviness slightly lifted as Athan side-eyed Jenkins, Rhaena scoping them out from his other side as they smirked at each other when they spotted two familiar faces on the other side of Foley’s casket.

Brandon carefully elbowed his arm, lightly chuckling as Longson and Dennings—two men they’d all giggled about over bourbon—stood shoulder-to-shoulder in silence.

Foley was likely howling in laughter from his bird’s-eye-view right now.

“I’m gonna pommel you both,” Rhaena whispered through her teeth, though Athan knew damned well she was trying her hardest not to smile. She looked really good. Her hair was in a tight, elegant knot behind her neck, and her hat sat pretty over her forehead as she knit her gloved fingers in her lap.

The cemetery was packed. The entire precinct was here.

Foster and her team had their own version of special dress uniforms and sat two rows behind them.

Sykes was also here, with Leigh, who looked so worn with guilt you could practically chisel it from her face.

The governor, the mayor, and half of city hall attended, sitting across the aisle in the remaining front seats.

A few judges joined them in the second row, who were close with Foley—one even served with him in the military.

Sarah, Wren and Brent were forced back a few rows, but she occasionally reminded him through silent conversation that she was right there with him.

Four pipers, and a line of marines carrying their guns took their places, and Commander Hale finished his speech, gesturing for the congregation to stand.

This was the moment he’d dreaded the most today.

Athan’s heart cracked as flowers were moved, and the first notes of ‘Amazing Grace’ began to sound through the graveyard.

He could barely hear the orders ringing out, as his fellow officers, Foster and her team included, all raised their hands to their heads, and the first gunshot thundered into the air.

The pipers continued to play, the second shot echoing through his bones, as a slow tear crept down one of his cheeks.

Hale assisted a highly decorated marine, folding the captain’s flag flawlessly, while the third and final shot rang out.

They stood stick-straight, and silent until the song was finished, and Athan’s limbs felt heavy as he slowly lowered his hand to his side.

They were ordered to be seated—all but Rhaena, who the unfamiliar marine approached solemnly bending to whisper his condolences as he placed Foley’s flag into her hands.

Rhaena’s face tightened, and her shoulders slightly shuddered in silent sobs, and Athan nearly lost his composure as she accepted it humbly.

The marine stepped to the side, and gestured towards the casket, and Rhaena paused at the impressive casket spray, plucking one of the largest white roses, and moving to place it gently on top of his casket.

She saluted him, swiping her arm down, and turning sharply, taking her place back at her seat and lowering herself on wobbling knees into it. The flag sat cradled in her lap.

Their entire row took their turn, Jenkins hardly able to stop himself from audibly crying as he laid his rose down…and then it was his turn.