March 22, 2023
REQUIEM
There they sat: Liam with a bandaged head holding Akia’s hand, Aaron with a boot on his foot, and Liz with a cast on her leg. Overshadowing them was a reproduction of Michelangelo’s Pieta. The pain, anguish, and sorrow depicted in the face of Mary reverberated in their hearts. A box of Kleenex sat between Liz and Aaron. They turned their heads in unison as the casket was rolled to the front of St. Michael, the Archangel church.
A priest followed the casket and, with the deacon’s help, spread out a white pall, covering the casket entirely. The deacon placed a golden crucifix on top of the white pall. The priest lit incense and blessed the casket by walking around it and swinging the thurible. Incense smoke, signifying prayers to heaven, rose to the vaulted ceiling.
Mike Parker’s widow and two young children sat beside his mother and father. Mike’s son rested his head on his mother’s lap, and his daughter tightly held onto her grandfather’s hand. The grief was almost too much to bear. As he began the Requiem Mass, tearful sounds accompanied the priest’s words. “I am the resurrection, and the life said the Lord...” Liam raised his head and looked at Pieta. A tear followed the path of others down his cheek.
The mass continued, the gospel was read, and the homely was given. Liam had been asked to say a few words two days before the funeral. He could not say no. He accepted and then agonized over the next 48 hours about what he could say. He squeezed Aika’s hand and rose from the pew.
Taking the notes from his pocket, his unsteady hand placed them on the pulpit. He looked up and out over those gathered. He turned and looked at Aika, Liz, Aaron, and Mike’s family. He looked down at his notes, picked them up, folded them, and placed them back in his pocket. His hands grabbed either side of the pulpit. With conviction, “My name is Liam Doyle, and I am proud to say that I served alongside Mike Parker at the FBI Bureau office in Charleston. It was my privilege to become acquainted with such an outstanding agent. Mike was smart, courageous, and, most importantly, a professional. He was relentless in his duty to protect the public. To that end, he gave everything he had to the service of us all. He will be remembered.”
Liam walked to his seat, only stopping to speak with Mike’s widow, mother, and father. Sitting down, he saw Liz and Aaron nod in approval. Aika grabbed his hand and held it tightly.
After the mass concluded, they went to the cemetery for burial and returned to the church for lunch in the basement. After lunch, they agreed to meet at a nearby pub. Aika excused herself and drove back to South Charleston. The last few days had been taxing, and her worries about the dangers of Liam’s job were too close to home.
Liam and Liz arrived first, and Liam ordered three beers and three shots of Irish whiskey. Shortly after, Aaron arrived. Liam raised a shot glass. “To Mike. May he rest in peace.”
Liz and Aaron raised their glasses in a toast, “To Mike.”
Liam looked at them and said, “I am so proud to work with you.”
Together, Liz and Aaron replied, “Thanks, Liam.”
Liz commented, “Without your persistence, Liam, this could have gone differently.”
Liam raised his beer. “I appreciate the compliment.” Liam continued, “There are a few loose ends to tie up. The coroner is releasing Colvin’s body today. He will be buried tomorrow. I want to talk with Rebecca Miller.”
Aaron asked quizzically, “Why?”
“I feel I owe her that.”
Liz asked, “What do you owe her, Liam?”
“Colvin was her son. The pain she must feel is only compounded by the recent loss of her other son, Asher. We have learned much in this case and not just about Colvin. We have learned of the tragedies that have followed Rebecca. From the flood in Buffalo Creek that killed her father, the abandonment of her husband, the loss of her youngest son to black lung, to the death of another son, all in the public eye, there was one common thread: big coal companies. Necro Metallum Corporation has only given a token nod to employees and public safety. There must be recognition, so I am turning our investigative findings to the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency. Rebecca needs to know that.”
Liam ordered another round. He raised his glass, “Here’s to justice.”
Liz and Aaron, loudly, “To Justice.”