Sorry for yet another delay. My wife has been ill and work has cut days with this virus issue... so no computer access. I have however fixed it to where I can post if they quarantine us for a period of time. Crazy times we live in... hope all is well with you my loyal readers. I might even start a new story after this one or return to my Joy, Scars, Fear series. I've had an itch to return to it as well or I just might return to the Yes there is a Santa Claus series. I've had thoughts on it as well. Anyway... enough... lets go catch a killer.

*As all ways I own nothing of Rizzoli and Isles I am just blessed to use the characters for awhile.

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(Chapter Eighteen)

Jane watched as the young man with the bandaged right hand lifted the handle of the coffin with his left and winced as something hurt or was straining as he lifted. She wondered if the cafe owner had gotten in a good punch to the ribs as well as to the man's lip. She never took her eye off the man as the coffin was slipped into the hearse and the doors closed. She watched as he got into an old white Ford pick up truck that was in the line up of cars to follow the hearse. She quickly memorized the tag numbers so she could call dispatch on the way to the grave sight.

Maura drove to Alley's final resting place while Jane was gathering as much information on the pallbearer as she could from Korsak. They pulled in just as the coffin was being removed from the hearse and onto the holding brackets above the open grave. Mr. & Mrs. Carter had made their way to the folding chairs in front of the casket with Alley's three brothers surrounding them. Maura and Jane stood behind the crowed and watched all the interactions.

After the last prayer and the casket was lowered into the ground, the family all went to the grave side and tossed roses on top of the casket. The Carter's were enveloped by family as they couldn't contain the sobs any longer. Jane focused on the pallbearer who Judy McDermott had went and said something to. She was trying to get to the both of them but had been blocked by the crowd trying to get to the Carter's to give last condolences. She finally got to Judy after the pallbearer had walked away and was talking to another guest. "Hello Mrs. McDermott," she said but kept her eyes and the pallbearer.

"Why Detective Rizzoli..." she said loud enough that the pallbearer could hear. The man looked up and saw Jane looking at him and bolted. Jane took out after him at a full sprint. The sheriff saw what was going on and called in a bolo on the truck that the man manage to get in and drive away before Jane had caught him. Winded... Jane turned and looked at Judy McDermott with a death glare, knowing the woman had done that on purpose but had no proof of it. Jane wanted too slap the big smirk off of the woman's face.

Maura walked and basically blocked Judy's escape route knowing Jane was walking back to talk with her. "Mrs. McDermott..." she said extending her hand, that was ignored, "...I trust Bethany's body has arrived safely. When will the services for her be?" she added in as an added jab hoping the woman would take the bait and answer slowing her departure for Jane.

Judy looked at Maura with an appalling look of disgust and answered, "Yes... Bethany has been returned to us, no thanks to you! We will have the funeral in a few days, but you two are not invited!" she practically yelled the "invited" part.

"Why I'm hurt..." came a sarcastic voice behind her. She turned and saw Jane standing there with a mock expression of hurt with her hand pressed to her chest and her mouth dropped open in surprise.

"I have nothing more to say to the two of you," she said pushing past Maura to go and stand by her husband before the woman had time to say anything more. Jane would have followed her but the sheriff came and whispered that they had Randy Miller in custody if she wanted to speak with him. She looked at him puzzled. "The guy you were chasing like a coon dog a few minutes ago," he said as a means of explaining who Randy Miller was, then grinned. She looked at him with a smile. "Thank you... we will follow you to your office," she said as she motioned Maura to follow her back to the car. She took big strides as she pulled her phone to get more information on the pallbearer named "Randy Miller." She smiled knowing she was on the brink of cracking this case wide open.

*Okay... this was short but we are coming around a bend promise.