CHAPTER 9 - THE BURIAL: AFTERMATH

Six months had gone by, months of fruitless searching for Raina’s murderers. A hundred and eighty-three wasted days. Lassair had finally decided to shut the lid on the case since a pin he could not find.

          Raina was now six months old in the soil and the family-two people actually- grieved her but that couldn’t bring her back. Nan cy had remarked that the search for her killer was a rather futile one and persuaded Matt to finally give up on it. She was buried in the family’s newly erected mausoleum in a gold coffin.

studded with paragon diamonds which to Nancy was rather too extravagant. The family had fulfilled all rites but the inevitable gloom and question was still hanging over them;

                   WHO DID THIS TO RAINA????

          Matt, finally won over by Nancy, had called off the investigations into her death and suffered in silence. The silence that now hung around the house was a palpable one which he reasoned; was only fit for the dead. Worst of all, Nancy had consistently screamed and nagged him that Raina’s boyfriend; Craig Fuller, was responsible for her death but had no evidence to order his arrest. She had ranted and raved like one gone crazy when the coroner had informed them that Raina was two months gone at death.

          This was the scene in which Ira found herself at that moment; Nancy holding tight to Matt’s neck and giving vent to her feelings;’ It’s that damn Fuller scum!!, I know he’s the one. I warned Raina dating men like her were up to no good but she knew better!!, she screamed tugging  him violently while he tried futilely to hold her down,’ He’s gone and given her a babe ‘nd when the fool finds out, he murders her!!!, HE KILLED RAINA, YOU HEAR ME, MATT, HE DID HER IN!!!!. She whimpered and fell on him in a dejected heap. Matt had nothing less to do than prevent her from crumpling on the floor. Patrick sat in an armchair and brooded over a newspaper, saying nothing; his eyes red-rimmed.

Ira had watched all this in amazement, clearly her long-held conviction that the wealthy had no pains. Matt had invited her over to meet his family only to witness this scene that left her embarrassed. They had struck up a rather plutonic relationship despite her knowing he was a man without commitments. She knew truly, he was a Casanova known to Cosmians. He didn’t seem the type to spend a long time with a girl. The press confirmed that too as The Bling; the top-ranking paper on higher society gossip featured a series of photos of him with a different lady on his arm every fortnight. He was tagged by the paper as ‘Our courtly Ladyman.

          The visit to the Drews wasn’t interesting as she expected, she was awed by the size of the land on which villa Zeus stood. Approximately about 2000 acres of which the family made use of 500. She couldn’t help but allow her jaws to drop at the height of the castle she had been led into. Externally, the mansion was supported by columns numbering sixty-eight painted a bright gold. Walls were painted a royal white and several pathways on the vast corridor leading possibly to underground rooms. The columns were constructed of the form of Zeus standing with a peculiar staff in hand, eyes fixed and awe-inspiring. Not to mention the fountain of white unicorns standing and spouting water from their mouths. Flower hedges adorned the estate, she could make out bougainvillaeas, dahlias, roses, wild marigolds, Amandas and several other amazing sweet-smelling flowers whose names she didn’t know. The air smelt of the sweet and fresh scent associated with only nature and quietness without being creepy. She was so taken in by the perceived glorious sight that she didn’t notice Matt watching her amused.

          ‘Sir, Mrs Drew is waiting’, a petite maid in a white heavily starched shirt and tight-fitting trousers said with a bow.

          She was thrown out of wonderland by this and allowed herself to be led into the `castle` by an amused Matt.

          Hallway with paved marble which had a peculiar sheen that made her wonder if they had been newly polished. She nearly lost her way if not for Matt’s guiding hand. In total, she felt kind of stifled for she felt like an outcast there.

          The visit was nothing more than a silent lunch with his parents during which Nancy prodded and asked her uncomfortable questions like she was an unwelcome visitor. His mother was a typical hellcat with her amber-coloured eyes and aquiline nose with lips set in a thin but determined line. Her hair was the color of sable and a slim but imposing figure. With a height of 5’’9, she looked domineering. Patrick, the father was about an inch shorter than his wife and looked like the site from where Matt had picked his good looks. He was quiet throughout the meal, scarcely saying a word and retired into a newspaper at a corner of the sitting room saying nothing.

          ‘Um, Ira’, Nancy began, ‘where did you meet Matt?’

          ‘We bumped into each other in three places all in one afternoon, but we really had the big bump on the staircase of the company’s headquarters’, Ira replied uneasily. This woman’s eyes were burning through and discovering the contents of her soul.

          Nothing was said for a minute more as they continued eating.

          ‘Ira, so you are an employee of Serene ‘

          ‘Yes ma’am’

          ‘I thought as much; you are a clever girl, to snap up the first opportunity you got to make yourself a permanent staff. Impressive’

          The sound of cutlery meeting plates died abruptly except that of Nancy’s. Ira’s cheeks turned a crimson colour in embarrassment. Matt nudged her with his foot from under the table.

          ‘Nancy, I assure you, Ira isn’t like……you know who I mean, he explained spitting some asparagus into a plate.

          ‘You say that with everyone you bring here, Matt; I’m not surprised you got tired of your horde of starlets and decided to bring in the trash………….

          He slapped the table upsetting a blue porcelain plate which fell and shattered on the floor. ‘Nancy, I called Ira to a family lunch and not have her be insulted by you!!!’

          Ira felt like running out of the place and crying.

          ‘Okay, you wish to have it that way; fine; but mark me, you will be the very one to pass her up when you’ve had your fill’, she said quietly and ordered a maid to pack up the plates,’I believe we’ve had our fill of the food, GUESTS!’

          That episode was forgotten some minutes later by all except Ira. Patrick had left the dining before this scene played out.

          They retired into the sitting room for some glasses of wine and cake. Mother and son carried on a discussion and Ira was forgotten. She was admiring the paintings on the wall. She wasn’t really a fan of the arts but as she went through, she could make out some Van Goghs, Picassos and a host of other artists she couldn’t quite remember. Her attention was only drawn to the duo when Nancy launched into her hysterical outburst.

          The uncomfortable visit ended and Matt drove her home. On entering his car, she thanked goodness that at last; she was free of Nancy. She was particularly exasperated with the coldness shown her by her hosts.

          Finally, she met Nancy Drew and ended up developing a deep dislike for her.

          As the car sped along on the highway, she wondered what further meetings between them would seem like feeling the wind on her face and music blasting from the stereo.