Nate POV
Within hours, he packed all his things hurriedly and gave me the house keys. As I strode around the place, a wave of nostalgic memories washed over me. I still remembered when Maria will mark my increasing height on the kitchen door. How we played together at the backyard, how she read me bedtime stories till I slept. How we watched cartoons and her favorite game shows. We didn't have much but we were happy and content with just each other.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I opened her bedroom. It had a small bed and a makeup stand close to it. I could still smell her soft and feminine scent in her clothes and bed sheet. I took a deep breath to savor it like a precious jewel.
Knock. Knock!
I snapped back to reality as I heard a gentle knock on the front door. I quickly wiped my tears and opened the door knob.
"Byran Rhymes?"
My childhood friend who became a detective standing at the door. He wore a casual brown jacket, denim jeans and black sneakers. He had a slim build with a clean shaven face.
"Good to have you back Nate!" He lunged at me for a manly hug. I let out a sigh of relief as I gently tapped his back after the hug.
"Good to be back buddy." I replied in a warm tone. His demeanor suddenly changed.
"So sorry about Maria, I went this morning to pick you up from prison. But I heard you already got a ride. I just saw your landlord zooming off and he told me you're here." His eyes welled up in tears as he looked at me with a sad face.
"Thanks buddy, I know you always checked on her when I was away." His demeanor softened as he forced a smile on his face. He spent most of his time in our house when he mum worked late shifts at night. Maria always joked that he was her second son and I will playfully get jealous. However, as we grew up he became my only best friend and brother.
I ushered him into the house and got us some drinks. We catched up on each other lives over the years and our struggles.
After many hours of chatting, his face turned serious.
"What do you intend to do to clear your name and find justice for Maria?" He said in a stern tone.
"I'm going to get my vengeance from all the people involved." Detective Rhymes was taken aback, but he regained his composure quickly.
"What's our plan?" A wave of comfort washed over me, knowing his now a cop but wants to help me get revenge for Maria moved me.
I let out a sigh of relief as I told him my plan. "I intend to destroy victor from within his inner caucus. He will pay for everything he and the Harper family did to me and my mother." I said with a cold glint in his eyes.
He gasped in awe, but he snapped back quickly. "We have to get strong evidence to defeat someone like Victor Langston. His now the kingpin of the city."
Kingpin.
"He has certainly grown over the years." I thought to myself. But, I have also grown and have the funds to take him down now. I twisted my lips slightly as I had a cheeky smile on my face.
"I believe we can succeed if we get a way into his organization." I said in a convincing tone. Detective rhymes gazed at me deeply before nodding his head in approval as our bottles clicked to each other.
Cheers!
We continued our drinks till it was empty. I glanced at Detective Rhymes with optimism. "Bryan, pls take me to her grave. I didn't get to wish her goodbye."
Detective rhymes turned pale at my request. Eventually he agreed and we took his car to where Maria was buried. We arrived to find it scanty and quiet. Some people also came to pay their respect to their loved ones in the cemetery, while the gardeners did their jobs around the cemetery.
We reached a marked tombstone with the name 'Maria Cross' boldly written on the slob.
I knelt down on one knee and placed my hand on it. I silently whispered while closing my eyes simultaneously.
"I promise Mom to avenge your death and get vengeance from all those who wronged our family." I clenched my fists as we went back to the car and drove away.