Epilogue
"That's it," I smiled as the boy used his finger to smudge the charcoal, "Great job, Ren."
"Thank you, Sensei!" He beamed at me.
I made my way around the small circle of easels that the kids set up this was my beginner's class, but they were all naturals. I saw so much untapped talent from them all.
After moving, I had managed to convince Sui-Feng to let me work at this little studio. It was run by a couple, the Yamamoto's, who had both been in the military, and had used art to help veterans with their troubled pasts. They also had lessons open to the public, and after showing them what I could do, they were more than happy to hire me.
I had been working here for three years now. It had been a healing environment to help overcome my own past. I still woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat and had developed an aversion to murals. But the couple I worked for were just as much friends and a shoulder to cry on, as they were my bosses.
"New crane, huh?" One of the other teachers, Casey, glanced at my walking cane with a grin, "Old Man Yama has got a serious talent for whittling, huh?"
"He's got a matching one," I laughed. Old Man Yama was our nickname for the boss man. He had injured his on a deployment and had to walk with a cane like me.
My leg never was quite the same after jumping from that window all those years ago. I could do just fine without my cane for an hour or so, but preferred to use it or else my leg would ache. But Old Man Yama had forced me to use his canes—and helped me overcome the feeling of embarrassment I used to get when I had to limp. It definitely felt like I got more stares as a woman in her mid-twenties with a limp than eighty-something year old Yama.
I looked up as the door opened. It was Mrs. Yamamoto, "There's someone here to see you."
I looked at Casey, who smiled, "I can watch over them."
"Thanks."
I was nervous as I followed Mrs. Yamamoto to the front. Reason told me that it wasn't Sōsuke or any of his thugs. They had all been sentenced for twenty-five years to life, depending on their involvement. I had heard that Sōsuke had been given the death penalty and was currently on death row.
But as I entered the lobby, my gut gnawed with anxiety. That is until I was tackled to the ground by a German Shepherd.
"Jax?" I exclaimed, checking his collar to be sure. He licked my face and whined loudly.
Mrs. Yamamoto stared in confusion but I couldn't explain. I could only hug my dog.
I paused when I heard footsteps. A hand picked up my cane and I looked to see a brand new detective's badge.
"Sōkyoku Police Department. I need to ask you some questions, Miss…?"
I took the hand that was offered to me and grinned.
"Of course, Detective. And my name—it's Desiree Fullerman."