Last chapter! I tried to find a good song to fit the year she died, 2009, and this was the best one I could find that actually fit the story/seemed like something Cold Case would use. I know I started this story in 2012 but I decided to just use 2009 since that's five years ago now. The song is Beautiful Night by Beverley Knight. I suggest if you reread the chapter to listen to the song while reading it again to get that Cold Case feeling :) Again, please review!

The cheers in the squad room were deafening. The team was gathered around a tv that had pulled into the squad room. Various other officers were gathered around the tv as well, glued to the game that was just second from ending. The Philadelphia Phoenixes were five seconds away from winning another NBA championship. It was just two months after Luther had been arrested for Matilda's murder. There had been no trial, Luther had plead guilty, and the team had been happy her family had been spared the pain of a trial. Instead, Luther had taken a deal for a life sentence without the chance for parole. Steven Squire had been put on leave as president of NBA referee operations and was facing his own charges for participating in the bribing of players. Of course, that would depend on if the NBA could ever prove players had been bribed and Squire had been a part of it.

The charges against Squire were not on the mind of the team that night, however. Instead, this was a night to celebrate the achievement of their home team. When the shot clocked buzzed announcing the end of the game, the cheers somehow managed to get even louder. People shook hands, hugged and practically danced around the room.

The cameras panned the celebrating arena for several minutes before the players and coaching staff were gathered on a small platform that had been brought up. Harold Diggs, the commissioner of the NBA, presented the large gold trophy to the general manager of the team and the crowd cheered.

"Congratulations to this team!" He shouted into his handheld microphone and the crowd cheered. "Now I know these past few months have been difficult on all NBA fans, but especially hard on this team. Coach Waters, I know you're a quiet man and we understand if it is still too difficult to talk about, but we ask you come to the front of the platform and speak about the recent events."

While there was still some cheering in the arena, the sound was considerably quieter. The squad room was quieter too as they remembered the events that had transpired in the interview room so recently. They watched on the tv as Waters slowly emerged from the back of the crowd on the platform and gingerly took the microphone from Diggs. The arena fell silent as this point, knowing Waters was going to talk about the greatest tragedy that had touched the team. Somberly, Waters gazed at the floor seat that had a bouquet of roses lying on it. He then turned his head to look at Matthew, who was barely able to stand as tears streamed down his face. It wasn't about the win, Henry knew that of course. This was about achieving something that would have made Matilda so proud. Turning back to the crowd, he smiled.

"I am so very proud… of this team," he said. "Nine of these players knew my granddaughter very well. And I know you, our outstanding fans, remember her very well too, even though you may have never met her. None of us could have imagined losing her so early, and now we have to face someone we all trusted took her. We thank the very special detectives who helped us find justice for Matilda."

Though we never knew it when/Our beginning soon would end/Ignorance was bliss

"But what choice do we all have but to move forward?" He asked. "We aren't getting that dear sweet girl back and this black mark on our league will never be fully erased. Let's not remember these bad times when we think of Matilda, think of the good that we had when she was here with us."

Hold on to the beautiful night/ There's no need to worry cuz I won't turn on the light/Hold on to all that I know

"The last thing that Matilda would have wanted was for her death to tarnish so many memories and this game. What she cared most about in the world…" Waters hesitated, choking back a sob, "was the love of this game and the family it had brought her."

Seems that I've been searching my whole life/You made me see the world with different eyes/The strength that I was looking for/It doesn't matter anymore/I found it deep inside.

"Matilda would want us to come together as fans of this game and celebrate this great night," Henry laughed. "We showed everyone what a team with heart and character can achieve!"

The crowd, both in the arena and in the squad room, cheered. Many had doubted the Phoenixes could achieve another title, especially due to the emotional circumstances for the team.

"But tonight… tonight I also have some news to share that might be hard to hear," he sighed. "I've continuted coaching this team for so long for many reasons. I believe in this organization, I enjoy working with these men and I love this game. But I also continued coaching this team because I knew if I left that would mean… having to let Matilda go as well."

Hold on to all that I know/Tonight I can touch you, but tomorrow I let you go

"Good god, I think he's going to retire," Scotty murmered. The crowd in the room become even more alert than before, hanging on every word Water said.

"But I think it's time for this old man to say goodbye and to welcome a new chapter in the Phoenix team history. As someone once told me, I should be lying on the beach somewhere, and I think it's about time I listened. Thank you Phoenix team and fans for these incredible years," Waters said, tears streaming down his face now, something so unusual for the usual stoic man. "And thank you for helping me say goodbye."

It's hard to say hello, harder to say goodbye/I had to let you go

Waters then handed the microphone to a clearly shocked Diggs and proceeded to be embraced by his team. More people spoke on behalf of the team, but the team honestly was no longer listening.

"This job is hard, I'll admit, but moments like that make it worth it," Kat remarked and the team nodded.

"We couldn't bring Matilda back but at least her family can have some peace," Stillman said. "It's an honor we get to bring that to families."

"I hear you boss, I hear you," Scotty smiled.

The team gaze returned to the tv as they watched the Phoenix team continue to celebrate. The team was back in the locker room and champagne was flowing. Lily couldn't help but smile when Matthew and Waters embraced in a long hug. She knew she could never take away their pain, but she had helped them put Matilda to rest in peace, and for that she was so grateful.