Forty-five minutes passed before Val and Gwen entered the building, and shed coats, which they now held over their arms. They were finally close enough to see only Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. And the single casket. Something wasn’t right. There was only one casket? And where was Bridget? Or a female who could be Bridget? Val looked all around. Where in the hell was the other daughter? The only child left alive? Val and Gwen kept inching forward, Val’s leg getting better now that she was in the warmth of the building.

After several more people addressed the Morgans and expressed sympathies, the blonde in front of Gwen and Val was next and as soon as the space opened up, she quickly moved towards Mrs. Morgan, placing her arms around her as she sobbed.

“Bethany, I’m so glad you came.” Mrs. Morgan held Bethany in a tight grasp. “Gabrielle would be so happy to know you’re here.”

Bethany? Val’s ears perked up. A Bethany Arias was Gabrielle’s emergency contact for Adam. The one who couldn’t be reached the day he wasn’t well at school, the day he disappeared. Holy shit, was this that Bethany Arias? It must be. How many Bethanys could Gabrielle have known? Val could kick herself now for not talking to this woman more. They were right behind her in line for a damn forty-five minutes!

“Please, if there’s anything I can do.” Bethany pulled back from the embrace and gripped Mrs. Morgan’s hands. Both women held tight.

Bethany then turned to Mr. Morgan, her hands still holding Mrs. Morgan’s. “I can’t believe they’re gone.”

“She’s at peace,” Mr. Morgan said. He made no physical contact. No hug, no shake of the hand. The sterility was clear. Val wondered what Bethany had done to piss Mr. Morgan off, especially after seeing such a warm reception from his wife. But maybe, this simply was how Mr. Morgan was.

Bethany said a few more things to the Morgans: somber regrets about not keeping up correspondences, and sympathetic offerings to help in any way that she could. After a few moments, Bethany left and Val and Gwen moved up to their place in front of the Morgans.

Val noted this couple was definitely alone. No female that could be Bridget was anywhere near them. It wasn’t the time or place to ask the Morgans about it though. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. This is my co-worker Gwen Carmondy.”

“I’m terribly sorry,” Gwen said.

“Thank you, Valentina, Gwen,” Mr. Morgan said. All Mrs. Morgan could do was wipe away tears and nod. Mr. Morgan’s gaze left theirs and Val knew to keep moving along in the funeral line.