บท 31: May you always walk in sunshine
The interrogation ran smooth with Harry Carter sitting by Ryan's side and finished within 30 minutes. The four police officers left the factory compound after finishing their business and ended up going to Allen's house.
"You are not going to tell us who they are?"
Julian asked Ryan with a quizzical look. Ryan only disclosed Mr. Carter's other identity to Allen.
Shelly knocked the back of the head of her partner.
"Stop it, rookie. Don't you know our Cap is trying to protect us? The less we know the better."
Julian understood the reasoning but there were still things that he's concerned about. Like..."But what are they going to do to Mr. Boni?"
Well, that was a good question because even Ryan did not know the answer to that.
"Ahem," Allen cleared his throat to avoid the uncomfortable silence.
"Well, we did our part and they are gonna do theirs. We can't get involved in the fight between two different factions with our current situation, anyway. Stop worrying about that."
Hearing Allen's words, Julian did not complain anymore although he was still unconvinced.
"Anyway, now we know that Mr. Boni's group was not involved with the murder of Jean and Bill. It must be some other groups of the cartel or someone from a totally different faction."
When they were interrogating Mr. Boni, he admitted to the fact that he had killed Lieutenant Parker because he suspected the latter of snitching thier dealer to the State Police Department. However, he did not know anything about Bill and Jean or who was using the Cellox factory compound.
"So, we're back to square one then," Shelly said.
"Not necessarily," Ryan shook his head.
"Now, we can cross out one of the possibilities and we've got more details about the drug. From the fact that Moretti's Cartel had been involved since the early stages of the research, we might not be very far from the culprit behind all this."
"Yes, whoever that is, they must be really tight with Moretti's Cartel," Allen nodded in agreement.
"Will those guys be able to deal with the big-boss of the cartel as well?" Julian asked.
Ryan knew he was talking about Mr. Carter's group by 'those guys'.
"I don't think so. This time it was fine because it was only a group leader but if they are really going to swallow the whole cartel, I don't think the other four powers would just sit and watch."
'That is if their actions are not justified,' Ryan did not say the last sentence out loud as he did not want his officers to rely too much on an external force. If it was to take revenge for their employees, the others might not interfere with the Ravens' actions.
The next morning, a crippled Mr. Boni was sent to the front of the City X Police Department and Ryan realized that Mr. Carter must have reached to an agreement with the cartel which made them give up their subgroup leader.
Although the chief gave Ryan a questioning look and some warning words as usual, he did not ask about anything.
Ryan felt that one of the burden weighing on his shoulders had been lifted and he went to Lieutenant Parker's grave with a pack of cigarettes after his work. He guessed his lieutenant would prefer this gift over a bouquet of flowers.
"You might not really like the fact that I had to borrow some strength from an underground force but I'm already satisfied that the one responsible for your death is now behind bars. I'm not as greedy nor righteous as you are."
Ryan talked out loud as he sat by the grave as if he was having a chat with his lieutenant.
"You can't blame me, you know. Well, even if you blame me, you still have to be here, by my side, to complain, not six feet under. It's your fault that you went on first. You should have... you should have..."
He did not how to continue his monologue. 'He should have not died?' 'He should have not been so stubborn?' 'He should have protected himself better?'
No matter what kind of excuse Ryan came up with, he could not stop blaming himself for failing to protect his subordinate. If only he did not send Professor Bell to State Police Department or talked to them about the student and the drug... If only he let Lieutenant Parker involve with their investigations and not let him act alone. If only...
Unfortunately, there was no cure for regret. Ryan stood up and turned to leave the cemetery. That was when he saw a familiar figure standing in front of two old tombs. He was not sure if he would be disturbing her if he called out. So, he just watched quietly as she stood still in the same place for nearly one hour. He tried to read the names on the tombs but to his surprise, there were no names. The only words written on both tombs were "May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. "
When Ryan finally decided to leave, he heard footsteps behind him accompanied by a familiar voice.
"Mr. Cotton Candy, what a coincidence."
As Ryan turned to greet Vivienne back, he heard her continued.
"You also enjoy studying people from the shadows?"
He let out an awkward cough before he explained, "Not really. I just did not want to disturb you."
"Oh..," she said in either disappointment or disbelief, he could not tell.
"Someone you know?" He asked.
"Yeah. My parents," she said as they continued walking towards the exit.
"Um... sorry for your loss."
"It's okay. You also don't have parents. I don't know about you but it's not that sad for me anymore," she replied in a nonchalant tone.
"Yes. Time heals," he agreed.
If he did not learn about the dark side of his parents or the possibility of them being murdered for their deeds, he would have long been settled with their deaths.
"But why's there no names on their graves?"
"Because I did not remember."
Her answer made him paused his steps.
She also stopped and explained, "I supposedly had a shock because of their deaths and lost some parts of my memories for some time. But now I remember everything."
"Ah," he continued his steps. "You don't plan to carve their names?"
"No one's coming to visit them here in this city. Besides, I like the words written on their gravestones. So, I don't plan to make any change."
Ryan remembered the words and recited, "May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more."
"I also like them. Were you the one who came up with that?"
She shook her head, "it was my foster father. But I agreed with him as I also liked the words."
"I see," Ryan stopped as they had already reached where he parked his car.
"Do you want me to send you back?"
"No need. I came with my cousin," she glanced towards a gray SUV parked near them.
To be honest, Ryan felt quite disappointed as he still wanted to talk with her.
"Okay. See you then," he opened his car door to enter but was disturbed by her voice.
"Are you sleeping alright?"
"With the help of your pills. Thank you," he smiled at her.
"That's great," with that, she turned and left.
Ryan sat on his car and watched until he could not see the SUV anymore. Then, he murmured as he started the engine.
"May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more."
Why did he think that those were the last words of blessings for Vivienne left behind by her parents?
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