Thanks for your continued patience and support.
Leaving a wife and child, one would expect Joe Joplin's funeral to be a sad affair. Much to the relief of many who turned out, the event was a celebration of the man's life. He was hailed as a hero by those who knew him, as well as a great father, husband and brother. The mourners came from all walks of life – neighbors, coworkers, colleagues, former classmates and the many police he knew through Steve and the neighborhood watch programs.
Mark hobbled into the parlor on one crutch as Fran walked side by side to ensure that the young man found a seat near the family. Mark found a seat near Corbie and with Fran's assistance, he sat with the family, while Chief Ironside, Ed and eventually Fran sat near the back. Steve found a spot off to the side, preferring to be just a face in the crowd and lost in his own thoughts. And while he did feel alone, he also knew that his mentor and friend was not far away. He hid a smirk recalling an earlier conversation when Mike made him wear a protective vest under his suitcoat, recognizing that the young man was very much a target.
"I don't need to do this, Mike. It's so bulky and noticeable. Why don't I just paint a giant target on my back so they'll really know it's me," Steve had protested.
"Just leave your coat on. No one will be paying any attention to you," Mike began to negotiate. When Steve rolled his eyes, again in protest, Mike's agitation showed. "Just do as I say," he responded harshly.
Mike understood Steve's restlessness and desire to be alone. He sat in the back on the opposite side of the Chief to give his partner some solitude. Nevertheless, he wanted to remain at the service mostly for Steve's safety. He knew that between the four officers observing from the last pew, any disruption would be quickly handled.
In addition to police presence at the service, the Chief had several plain clothes detectives and off duty officers positioned outside around the funeral home. They were not to be noticed. Indeed, the Chief's plan was to trick the Dean brothers into thinking no one was anticipating them.
After the service, the procession went to Holy Mount Cemetery. Again, the plain clothes officers were mixed with the mourners and blended in well. Mike and the Chief stayed near the back to observe. Ed made his way up to Steve, who again was standing off to the side. He looked like he could use a friend.
"Hey," Ed said as he found his spot standing next to Steve.
"Hey," Steve responded. He sighed and looked down.
"You okay?" Ed asked almost mechanically.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Not an easy day, though. It's hard to think that Joe's dead because of something that happened years ago that involved us both."
"You aren't blaming yourself, are you?" Ed asked.
"Maybe," Steve confessed. "Joe and Ruth were good people. It's just not fair. There's such a void that they've left behind. No one can replace them."
Ed contemplated that Steve must be realizing what it was like to be a victim in a criminal case. "You're used to being on the other side. How does it feel to be on the victim's side?"
Steve glanced over to Ed. "It's numbing. It's incredulous. Joe and Ruth were here one minute and gone the next. I think about what their last moments must have been like. Did Ruth think only of her only daughter and what would become of her? Did Joe think of his wife and child?" Steve's eyes welled at the thought.
"I imagine they did think of their loved ones. Maybe nothing else," Ed agreed.
"And then it was over. Their lives. Everything they worked for and everything they knew. You know, in some way – and don't go telling Mike this – but in some way, I wish it could have been me. I have no one that's depending on me, and there's no one who years from now will be saying, 'yeah, my dad was killed in cold blood'. If I could spare Joe's son from having that eat at him the rest of his life, I would."
"But you can't, you know that, right?" Ed said as he tried to pick up clues on how Steve was really feeling.
"I know. Nothing will ever bring them back. I guess after these few years of being a detective, I've been so often on the investigation side that I have lost sense of the anguish the victims and their families feel. In some ways, it becomes mechanical."
Ed nodded, but said nothing more. He thought back to his own situation several years before when the love of his life and fiancée' had lost her life in a brutal attack. The event ate at him still years later. Indeed, he would never be the same and would never be able to love again the way he loved her. If he could have traded places with her, he would have.
The service was over and most of the family moved on to the fellowship hall of the Joplin church for a light dinner that the congregation was providing. Mark and Fran left to join the potluck and to be with Corbie.
Steve wandered out to his Porsche with Mike following close behind. "You going to the church, Buddy boy?"
Steve sighed as he turned around. "No, I'm really tired and I just want to go home. I think the events of the last few days are catching up with me," he said as he met the concerned look of his partner. "But I'll be fine, really."
Mike felt helpless as he watched the car drive away. While he felt compelled to personally follow Steve back to his apartment, he knew that he was needed back at the station given that their caseload was increasing and that he'd been short a man the last few days.
Ironside wheeled up to the detective. "Where's he going?" he inquired.
"Home." Mike still contemplated what should be his next steps. Perhaps he could get an off duty colleague to stake out Steve's place.
Ironside motioned over to Ed. "Follow Keller. He's on his way home. Stay outside of his apartment, but be inconspicuous about it. We don't want to scare the Dean brothers away."
"You think they're still after Steve, too, don't you?" Mike asked.
"Lieutenant, I can guarantee it," he said with a frown. "Ed, don't just stand there, go!"