Chapter 10 - The Funeral Becomes a Crime Scene
Sheriff Collins removed his hat before entering the sanctuary.
He was not alone.
Two investigators waited near the doors.
Jason looked at Daniel.
“You called the police to my wife’s funeral?”
Daniel answered quietly.
“Lily did.”
Jason laughed in disbelief.
“She’s dead.”
“Yes,” Daniel said. “And she left instructions that the evidence be released to law enforcement if you challenged her competency or attempted to seize the estate.”
Sheriff Collins approached.
“Jason Reed, I need you to remain here.”
“Am I under arrest?”
“Not yet.”
Jason glanced at the mourners.
“You’re humiliating me without charges.”
Emily stepped forward.
“You brought your mistress to Lily’s funeral.”
She pointed toward the casket.
“You humiliated yourself.”
Sheriff Collins asked Daniel for the drive and recorder.
Daniel did not hand them over immediately.
“These are copies. The originals are secured.”
The sheriff nodded.
“That was smart.”
Jason scoffed.
“This is theater. Lily fell. I panicked.”
Nora shook her head.
“You did not panic. You delayed medical care.”
“I was trying to help her.”
Caleb spoke.
“You searched the office, bedroom, and kitchen while she was on the floor.”
Jason’s eyes narrowed.
“You don’t know what I was doing.”
“The camera does.”
Rachel began backing toward the pews.
One investigator stopped her gently.
“Ma’am, we’ll need a statement.”
Jason pointed at her.
“She was the last person alone with Lily.”
Rachel stared at him.
“I left because you told me to.”
“You pushed her.”
The accusation landed like a bomb.
Rachel screamed, “You liar!”
Sheriff Collins stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Jason turned to the congregation.
“Look at her. She’s unstable. Lily knew it. Everyone knew it.”
Daniel opened Lily’s sworn statement again.
“She knew you would say that too.”
Jason looked ready to tear the pages apart.
Daniel read.
“If Jason blames Rachel, investigators should retrieve the deleted message he sent at 12:09 a.m.”
Rachel froze.
“What message?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Lily preserved it through a synced tablet.”
Jason’s shoulders dropped.
Daniel read the message aloud.
“Leave now. I’ll handle Lily. Delete everything.”
The church erupted in shocked whispers.
Sheriff Collins looked at Jason.
“Turn around.”
Jason did not move.
The sheriff repeated himself.
“Turn around and place your hands behind your back.”
Jason stared at Lily’s casket.
Then he whispered, “She did this to me.”
Emily stepped close enough for him to hear her answer.
May you like
“No. She survived you long enough to tell the truth.”
👉 Jason was finally taken from the church—but the greatest betrayal had not yet been revealed.
