“We have a lot of students studying criminology here,” he said. “I think it would be great if they could hear from you, a real detective and PI, who was here undercover helping to make the campus safer.”
Kenzie’s heart wasn’t really into it, and she hardly agreed with the dean that she’d made the college safer. If that were true, her best friend’s little sister wouldn’t have had a miscarriage. But, after unrelenting insistence, she agreed nonetheless. She put on some dressier clothes and quickly threw together a speech. Then, she made her way to the auditorium.
As she gazed across the auditorium of eager students, some who appeared to be in awe at seeing her in person after following her in the news, Kenzie suddenly felt a newfound determination. Before, she thought her heart was no longer in sync with her career. After what happened to Savannah, she thought she’d let so many people down, particularly the Swansen family, and she held herself partly responsible for what had happened.
But she realized that it wasn’t her fault. And assholes like Chad reminded her of why she did what she did. Why she pursued a career in criminology in the first place. And why she fought so hard to keep her status as a detective/private investigator.
It was to protect the innocent. Sure, the business and money could be better, but dispensing justice was a reward in itself.
Kenzie divulged her speech of how she decided to go into the field of forensics, how she went about solving cases, and her impressions of her first undercover case. She had everyone’s undivided attention, and it felt great to be inspirational.
When the speech was over, Kenzie received a call from Jillian. Savannah would be all right, but she’d be given some time off from school for a while to heal. Plus, she’d admitted to also being a part of the graffiti incident with Renata, so she was partially being reprimanded for that as well, though her punishment was lessened due to all the hell she’d been through. She also wouldn’t be leaving the dorm she was currently in to live with Renata, like she’d originally said. She’d decided to stay where she currently was, in hopes of putting this whole traumatic experience behind her.
The fraternity and sorority were also busted for being in possession of the pills. All the victims were expected to make full recoveries and Chad was in jail. Apart from Savannah’s miscarriage, everything was falling into place wonderfully.
It was a miracle that Savannah was all right herself after the turmoil she’d been through. But, the doctor had assured everyone that, in time, she would heal. And while she did, Kenzie thought of a great way for her to take her mind off things and embrace her artistic side (so long as she didn’t turn into a pill addict, which she was in danger of doing). She’d be one of the models for Jillian’s clothing line, set for release in a month.
She’d also be in charge of the artwork for advertisements and the like. And she was actually looking forward to it. It would be a great way for the sisters to get reunited. And maybe Savannah would turn her life back around. She’d still be attending school, but she’d have better ways to show her artistic talent than by spraying walls. While one thing ended for her, another thing was just beginning.
Kenzie had doubted Savannah’s involvement in anything illegal or bad from the start; she’d just thought she was heavily influenced by the bad crowd. But this just proved that anyone was capable of anything. Try as she might, the image of Savannah as a child wouldn’t free itself from her mind. And that caused her to doubt any guilt she might have.
In a court of law, reasonable doubt could make or break a case. Her doubt toward Savannah, just because of what she’d known of her in the past, was unreasonable. At least her biggest offense was spraying graffiti on commercial property. And at least things still worked out in the end, apart from the inadvertent pregnancy (and resulting termination of it).
Before leaving to return to Riverview, Kenzie did stop in briefly to visit Paige, hoping a familiar cheerful face would make her own turmoil vanish. Paige showed Kenzie the legendary Lucky Palms wishing well and they checked out the Lucky Simoleon Casino, but Kenzie still wasn’t completely over the traumatic events that had transpired.
As Kenzie rode in the cab back to Riverview, she did see one miracle – it was snowing, and a lot of the white stuff already blanketed the ground.
At last, during winter, there was snow. Perhaps there’d be a white Snowflake Day after all.
Still, as Kenzie rode in the cab, she realized that she worried about how much impact, how much difference, she was truly making. With supernatural creatures getting most of the investigative jobs now thanks to their keen senses and abilities, Kenzie wasn’t getting the calls she used to. Was she chasing a pipe dream? A false sense of security?
Regardless, Kenzie was currently happy where she was in life. She had a job she loved, a great boyfriend, awesome friends, and a wonderful family. What more could she ask for?
And in the end, as long as she was happy, that’s all that mattered.
What a great way to end her investigation. Savannah recovering, having an audience who was eager to hear what she had to say and they say that winter is Mother Nature's way of bringing a fresh start, a new beginning....
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, mama! I've got an idea for a few more stories, but at the moment I'm finishing up my Around the World series and then I'm going to write a short story for Simplistic Magazine (FantasticSims asked if I was interested hehe). :D But it's in the works! Thanks again!
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