I end up being 15 minutes late for the funeral. Luckily, however, the priest hadn't arrived yet, nor had most of the guests, since Lestrade's the only one, waiting in front of chapel. He's yelling at his phone and it's easy to figure out he's talking to Anderson since his name is "mentioned" (or rather screamed) several times. When the DI finally hangs up I smile at him. "You haven't made Anderson organize this funeral, have you?" He glares at me, but doesn't bother to answer, since it's already perfectly clear to me. Wow that's going to be amusing! I hope John won't show up to see what his funeral is like; he'll be pretty disappointed.
The priest finally arrives at half past twelve (swearing he was ordered to come then) just as my brother, who obviously didn't trust Anderson and calls the graveyard administration to find out the real date. Of course he hasn't bothered to tell Lestrade or me, but has left us freezing in the cold. Especially Lestrade who has been here longer than me seems to be thankful when we are finally led into church (the relief on his face vanishes as soon as we step into the church because it isn't much warmer here; I'd even say a few degrees colder). We all take seats in the front row, though none of us really wants to. I manage to bring Lestrade between my brother and me, though the policeman doesn't seem too happy to be caught between us. The priest eyes us with a bit of suspicion before finally asking if we're expecting any other guests. Apparently three persons showing up at a funeral are quite few. I look at Lestrade since he's called the great organiser of this funeral recently (BTW, where is Anderson anyway?) and he mumbles something about Donovan being on a drug's bust and Anderson getting stuck in traffic.
A few other names pop up in my mind, but it seems a little bit late to call them. Maybe I should've given Anderson a list. On the other hand I like the thought of telling John how Anderson has messed up.
The priest asks whether we want to wait but, probably because of the coldness, both Lestrade and Mycroft shake their heads just as vehemently as me. I'm just desperately trying to get home and wait for another call of John. The priest starts speaking and gives a short biography of John, pointing out the great things he's done.
Normally these kinds of things are extremely boring to me, but since Anderson obviously made up some information, it's quite amusing:
The priest keeps calling John Jonathan, though I'm extremely sure that John's no abbreviation. He also points out the great things John (oops, Jonathan of course) did during Iraq war and in the jungle of Brasilia (I have no clue why Anderson came up with the later one) where he'd nearly lost his leg fighting a python (I can hardly keep myself from giggling at the thought of John wrestling with a snake) and had to be sent home. There had met his new best friend in London (of course the priest don't say "new best friend" but I think that's the best way to describe the relationship of John and Anderson he's talking about). When the priest starts to list all of the great things the two have done together (like arresting several serial killers and saving children from being murdered) I almost start to wonder if John has had a secret second life I didn't know about, since I actually can't imagine Anderson's fantasy to be this vivid.
While listening to the end of the story which is about John being killed because of the stupidity of a wannabe officer who always messes up their cases (I'm pretty sure that would be me, though no name's mentioned) I see with amusement that Lestrade has buried his face in his hand obviously ashamed for handing the organisation over to Anderson. "Oh, I'll kill him, when I see him for next time!" he whispers and I can't help a smile. Though I'm sure he won't, I'd love to see their next meeting.
I also glance at Mycroft just to find out that he isn't listening to anything the priest's saying but is staring at me. Oh, I really, really hate it to be watched by him all the time.
The need to have him turn away is so huge that I give him a reassuring "I'm-well"-smile. Since I don't have an experience with this kind of expression I'm not sure it worked, though I tend to think it didn't because of the frown stealing onto Mycroft's face.
I turn to the priest again following his blessings as a loud noise arises from the door. All of us flinch (the priest dropping the holy water) and turn to the door that has been slumped open. Against the relatively bright light I can see the silhouette of Anderson. He closes the door as quiet as possible and at least looks very embarrassed.
Lestrade shoots him an extremely angry look that would've probably killed him if looks could do such things.
While Anderson sits down in the row behind us the priest finishes the service.
He paces to the exit. While Mycroft and I fight silently for walking behind the other; him politely waiting for me to pass him and me ignoring his offer, Anderson tries so sneak out as fast and unseen as possible but is hold back by Lestrade. They instantly start to argue silently (or rather Lestrade starts to chastise Anderson) both not attempting to follow the priest though. As he has already passed half of the chapel Mycroft -having the best manners- follows him first. I wait moment longer hoping to get Lestrade and Anderson between us, but finally I give in and follow Mycroft. Lestrade and Anderson come behind us, still arguing (this time arguing is the right term because Anderson started to snap as well).
We leave the chapel and walk to the actual grave. It's really a walk because John's grave is as far from the entry as possible. We finally find it right next to the main street. "Nice spot" I can't keep myself from commenting. "Think he would've liked it... It's so ... quiet." I say just as a big truck rushes by. Anderson shoots me an angry look but doesn't respond.
The priest starts speaking again and Mycroft steps forward to do the obligatory earth toss. I was next, and swallowed as I stared down at the coffin. It might sound stupid (well, it definitely sounds stupid, especially coming from me) but I just realized that there had to be someone else lying in the coffin and felt in sudden urge to open it to make sure it wasn't John.