London Harmony: The Pike Read Online Free PDF Page A

Samantha showed our invitation to the funeral and someone blurted out, “It's J8!”
    Then all hell broke loose as everyone turned cameras on our group and started shouting questions about how I knew 'The Deceased.'  I ground my teeth and growled to myself as the officers let us past, “Her name was Emily Zatta, not the deceased.”
    Nessie's hand found mine and drew some of the anger out of me.  I smiled at her in thanks and she just nodded once and we made our way to the entrance.  Just as we arrived, we heard another commotion.
    We looked to the barricades on the other side from where we came through to see a familiar woman in a black dress and army boots, being mobbed by reporters.  One of my personal heroes, Mia Jacobs, Abbey's mother, one of the most influential artists of this century.  Her head was down and she was fidgeting visibly as she shied away from contact with anyone.
    A short blonde woman almost growling and hissing at the paparazzi as they made their way to the officers.  I had to smile at Vicky Davenport.  She was small but fierce.
    Abbey peeled off from us immediately, her amber eyes glowing in fury.  “I'll see you guys inside.”  We all nodded and watched her head off to give her mother support.  We waited for her to escort her mother and Vicky to us before entering the funeral home.
    The women hugged Sammie then acknowledged us with sad smiles we shared with them.  Victoria was glaring back the way we came.  Mia stuttered nervously, “D-down girl.”  She was rewarded by a loving smile from the little blonde.
    The place was crowded, which didn't really surprise me, Mrs. Z was well loved.  It looked like a veritable Who's Who in the Seattle Elite and the music world.  We said our hellos to people we knew as we passed, like Crystal and Jane McKay, and Hank veered off from the group to sit by her parent's, Kimi Solomon and Skylar Roth.  They were with Bobbie and Blake.  We waved at them all.
    I paused near the front and smiled at my parents who were sitting with Lizzy and Fay, next to Reese Qualls in her wheelchair, and Sarah.  We slipped into the seats they had saved for us and I made the introductions of Natasha to Reese and Sarah and signed to my parents as I introduced her to them.
    Fay was busy signing to mom about preschool until we sat, then she hopped down and ran to me for a big hug then she sat on my lap.
    This was one of the few times the usually loquacious Mandy Harris was quiet.  It was odd to see mother in a somber mood.  We looked around.  This row was mostly populated by our family.  Zoey was there with Jeremy and the twins beside Aunt Serina and Uncle Dave.  Eve was just coming down the aisles to sit by them.
    When the minister came in to stand at the podium by the casket, everyone went silent.  It was a beautiful service that brought me to tears more times than I care to admit to.  After the minister had spoken, then McKenzie gave a heartfelt eulogy.
    People were asked to come up and share their experiences with Emily.  Sandra Callahan brought us all to tears again and Penny Franklin stepped up to console her and bring her back to their seats.
    Mia Jacobs, who was terrified of public speaking, insisted on sharing her heartfelt interactions with Mrs. Z.
    There was nothing I could say that wasn't said, but I felt I needed to say something.  So when I went up, I looked around and distilled it all down to simply saying and signing, “Kind words, loving meals, an inspiration.  Emily will be missed.”
    This got murmurs of agreement and that was all I could say.  I sat down quickly before I cried yet again.  Mom reached over and laid a hand on my arm.  I gave her a little smile.
    After everyone had said their piece, the service concluded.  I paused and looked back as everyone filtered out, to see McKenzie standing at the casket, a hand resting on the lid, with Katie resting her own hand on McKenzie's shoulder.  I seriously couldn't imagine her pain.  That