After some thought, Noreen informed herwyer to stick with the original n. They would pursue every lead, no matter how small.
Lana had better bepletely innocent in this.
That Saturday, Noreen flew to Glenhaven City for Mrs. Joyner''s memorial service. She hadn''t seen Castle Joyner in just over a month, but he had lost a significant amount of weight, and the lines on his face seemed to have deepened. There were even a few nearly imperceptible streaks of silver in his hair.
The service was quiet, attended mostly by close family and friends.
Just as Noreen finished paying her respects, amotion broke out behind her. "Katy, you can''t go up there!"
Before anyone could react, a small figure in white rushed forward and clung to Mrs. Joyner''s portrait. It was their daughter, little Katy, the girl with mild autism.
Katy hugged the portrait tightly, refusing to let go, murmuring over and over, "Mommy, don''t be scared. Don''t be scared. Little Katy will protect you."
Her caretaker, Josie, tried to gently take the portrait from her, but the little girl resisted fiercely. Finally, Castle spoke up. "It''s alright. Let her hold it."
Once they stopped trying to pull her away, Katy found a corner and crouched down, still holding the portrait close. Noticing she was only lightly dressed, Noreen took off her own coat and draped it over the girl''s shoulders.
At first, Katy recoiled, but when she looked up with red-rimmed eyes and saw it was Noreen, the defensiveness in her gaze softened. Her lower lip trembled as she whispered, "Prettydy, can you take me to find my mommy?"
A wave of sorrow washed over Noreen.
The final part of the ceremony involved burning the deceased''s personal belongings. Castle stoode before the ceremonial furnace, his hand hovering, unable to bring himself to toss in their wedding rings. It wasn''t until the officiant reminded him that the time was growing short that he reluctantly dropped the rings into the mes. They were thest mementos he had of his wife. But Mrs. Joyner had specifically requested that on this day, he burn everything rted to her, fearing that leaving keepsakes behind would prevent the living from moving on. She wanted nothing left, not even their wedding rings.
Noreen had a flight back to Rivercrest City that evening, but little Katy clung to her
and wouldn''t let go. No amount of coaxing from Josie could convince her. So,
Noreen changed her flight and stayed with the little girl for the night.
Josie told her that ever since Mrs. Joyner''s passing, Katy had barely been eating or sleeping. Already thin, she had wasted away to skin and bones With Noreen there to gently coax
katy finally at? a proper
meal and slept soundly through the night. t?
The next day, as Noreen prepared to leave, Katy was clearly reluctant to see her go, her small hand gripping the hem of Noreen''s shirt. It was only when Castle came over that she finally, and with great hesitation, released her grip.
Noreen gently stroked Katy''s head. "How about Ie visit you whenever I have time?"
Katy nodded, her eyes welling with tears. Noreen took a pen and paper from her bag and wrote down her number. "This is my phone number. You can call me anytime."
"Okay," Katy finally managed to say, a faint smile gracing her lips.
driver take Noreen to
Castle had his dr
the airport. Given his fragile state, she didn''t feel it was the right time to ask about the person who had saved her, but she did ask the driver a few questions on the way. He exined the Castle had arge, dedicated security team, and without more information, he couldn''t be sure who she was referring to.
Noreen had justnded in Rivercrest City when Healy called. Assuming it was about work, she answered. But Healy was calling to invite her to his birthday
party.
"I''m sorry, I''m too busy with work to make it. Happy birthday," Noreen said, declining without a second thought. To her, Healy was just a business partner, and their interactions should remain professional.