Third Part

The alerts had been sent out by SFPD as well as BPD. The news even ran a feed on the missing ten year old who seemed to have disappeared.

Mike kept in constant touch with Jeannie as she waited at home with her daughter. Mikey was definitely proving himself to be a cop's kid as he knew enough to keep as low a profile as possible after having left school. All he had thought about was being back with his father. He had planned this excursion and knew exactly what buses and/or streetcars to take to make his wish happen. He took BART to get to Colma where the cemetery was located. From the BART station he took a SamTrans bus directly to the cememtery.

By the time he arrived it was dark and the gates were just about to be locked. He saw the flashlight beam of the gatekeeper as he headed toward the gate. He hurried through the gates and hid under a bush before he could be seen.

Once the gatekeeper had locked the gates and left for the night Mikey made his way to his father's grave. He knew exactly where to go as they made visits here every week to replace the roses that totally covered the mound. He saw the sea of red and white roses almost immediately and collapses onto the grave in tears. He lay there for the longest time until finally he could catch his breath after his tears abated for the time being. He knew there was so much he wanted to say to Steve and now he was there where he wanted to be.

"I miss you daddy so much. I don't understand why you left us but I know you are an angel now. It hurts being without you Kim and mom hurt too. Grandpa Mike does his best to help us but it is not the same as you being there with us. I know he is hurting too. I hate the people that took you away from us. I want you back daddy you are everything to us. Please daddy come back to us or take me to be with you. I don't want to be here without you."

That night nobody at Jeannie's house got any sleep really. Jeannie kept jumping anytime the phone rang having thought it might be Mike with word of Mikey. The next morning a lady was at the same cemetery visiting her husband's grave. She had come each and every day for the past seven years. Mikey had fallen asleep on the roses that covered Steve's grave and was dreaming of Steve. He saw him and Jeannie at the last birthday party they had for her. His father's words resounded in his sleep and Mikey knew what Steve had said to Jeannie at that party now was meant for each and every one of the four left behind.

He woke up from his dream sobbing pitifully his heart was broken all over again as he realized his father was not there with him. Nearby the lady heard the sobs and made her way toward the sound. She saw the young boy at the rose covered grave and approached him. She placed her hand on his shoulder and got his attention. As Mikey looked up she recognized him immediately from the news alerts.

"You're Michael Keller. Are you hurt?"

"No not hurt. I just want my daddy back. How do you know my name?"

"They had your picture on the news yesterday. Why don't you come with me to my house? It is a very short walk. We will call your grandfather so that he knows you are safe. I know he and your mother are worried sick."

Mikey seemed to consider the idea and finally nodded. After kissing his father's name that was carved into stone he went with the lady. He felt in his gut she could be trusted and would not harm him. As the two headed to her house she recalled the newspaper clippings of the death of the young boy's father. She knew how heartbroken the young widow was for the loss of her husband; for the elderly woman had the same pain. They arrived at the lady's house and she fixed Mikey a glass of milk and got him some fresh baked cookies to eat. While he was at the kitchen table she used the phone to call SFPD to speak with Mike Stone. She had copied down the phone number from the news alert the night before. She was immediately connected to Mike's extension in homicide after speaking to the officer who answered at the main number.

"Homicide, Stone"

"Lieutenant Stone this is Grace Henderson. I have a young man here at my house who I found visiting his father's grave. I brought him home with me as I don't live very far from the cemetery. I wanted to let you know he was here and I think possibly ready to go home."

Mike was very happy with the news and got the address from Mrs. Henderson and told her he would be there as soon as possible. The others having heard his voice filled with excitement hurried to find out what was going on.

"Mikey has been found by a lady who was visiting the cemetery, Mikey was at Steve's grave. I am going to go pick up Jeannie and go get that little boy. Bill call off the search please both with SFPD and BPD as well. Norm let Olsen know where I have gone. I am going to be gone the rest of the day."

Mike rushed out and drove to Berkeley to Jeannie's house and informed her of the phone call. She and Kim got on a jacket and after making sure she had the keys and her purse they left locking the house. Mike drove with emergency flashers going the whole way until they arrived at the address he had been given.

The reunion between Mikey and his grandfather and sister and mother was a sight that touched the elderly lady to her most inner core.

"Mikey don't ever scare me that way again. I could not bear to lose you or your sister. You both are daddy's gifts to me and are very precious. I love you so much."

"I love you mom. I'm sorry I scared you, I just wanted to be able to talk to daddy. Kim and I never got to say goodbye to him."

Jeannie hugged both children to her tightly then sat with them and explained why she had not wanted them to view Steve's body as she had. As she talked to them quietly the lady spoke with Mike in the kitchen. She had wanted to convey her sympathies for his loss as well as Jeannie's and the children.

"I just wanted you to know that I remember when her young man was struck down by that car. The story of it was all over the news and reading it was heartbreaking. I remember crying for her loss and pain as well as yours and those precious children. I truly believe all of San Francisco and all of California shared the grief the four of you felt. I know that people here in Colma were very upset about your loss at least everyone I spoke with. Just know others do care."

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Henderson. We appreciate it very much, he was truly a special young man and could never be replaced."

Just then the children came hurrying in followed by Jeannie who was dabbing at her eyes. Mikey had told Kim about the great cookies he had been given. Mrs. Henderson immediately got both children some cookies and more milk. Jeannie thanked Mrs. Henderson profusely for taking care of her son. In their talk and with the children chiming in ideas it was agreed by the children and Jeannie and Mrs. Henderson that Mikey and Kim would be surrogate grandchildren for her. She had never had children or grandchildren and was delighted with the idea. Before they all left the children hugged her as tightly as she did them. Mikey turned to Jeannie and Mike smiling Steve's smile.

"Come on mom, come on Grandpa Mike let's go home."