Into The Light 1st chapter

The sunlight rolled slowly over the mountains, sliding in to replace dark, with light. Nara took a deep breath as the light hit her face, and they lowered the casket into the ground.
The flowers that were scattered on the dew soaked grass, all of her family gathered in a blur of black; the sound of the birds on the early breeze, it was all too much for her.
Her father wouldn't want her to cry, but her heavy breath carried muffled sobs as she turned away from the grave. Devon slipped his arm around her waist and walked silently with her back to the car. He always knew, she thought,when it was better to say nothing at all. 1

Nara felt her stomache lurch when she saw her.2

"Damn her, she has no right to be here." she mumbled through clenched teeth.3

Devon searched the crowed, spotting the accused immediatly. He braced Nara gentley, running his fingers through her long, dark brown hair.4

"Isn't that a little harsh? She is your mother, after all."5

"She brought him! Can you believe it? How could she..." Nara's sorrow only fueled her rage as she managed to break free from Devon, racing quickly after her mother, and her new beau.
By the time Devon grasped her arm to pull her towards the car, it was too late. All of her anger, all of her grief poured out in a damning rage onto her mother.6

"How could you bring him here? why are you here? He is nothing to you now! how dare you!...." The whimpering sobs came on every word now, Nara felt her knees give way as she melted to the ground. Devon noted that Nara's mother never flinched, not a single word out of her daughters mouth had brought the intended fury to her eyes. She only knelt down and cupped Nara's face in her hands, and kissed her forehead. After three long years, Nara wrapped her arms around her mother, she cried on her shoulder,
and let everything go. 7

Nara stared blankly at the beige wall infront of her. The small office was cramped. An old oak desk took over most of the room, stacked with files, jumbled papers, a yellow coffee cup crammed with pens and pencils. There was a brown leather, rolling chair behind the desk. Recent purchase, she decided. No paintings on the wall, no photos of family or freinds. Unorganized and dull, she mused. 8

Nara spun her wedding ring around her finger. Devon had purposed a year into thier relationship. It seemed so fast, but she loved him. She knew that she was ready to spend the rest of her life with him.
He was not her type, she realized, thinking of all the rugged, blonde cowboys she had dated in the past. He was dark and mysterious. His eyes had intrigued her, they seemed to be full of secrets, yet they were so soft and inviting.
Their honeymoon was amazing, she thought, realizing it had only been seven days ago that she was basking in the carribean sun. On the day of thier return, the first day of thier new lives together, she recieved the news of her father's death. A new beginning, with a terrible ending. Scratch that, she thought. She didnt like the way it sounded, not even in her head. 9

"Nara?" 10

She snapped back, finally pulling her eyes away from the blur of beige.11

"Blake, thank you so much for seeing me today, I know I've been impossible lately."12

Blake studied her with obvious concern in his eyes. She looked tired, completely drained. The light in her green eyes had gone dim, her usual glowing skin, pale. 13

"Don't be rediculous. Your father just died." Blake lowered himself into his chair, it wheezed delightfully. Nara noticed the smile of approval as he sunk into the leather. "Besides, you know I've always got time for my favorite gal."14

Nara managed a smile, then pursed her lips and took a deep breath.15

"Whatever it is Nara, you know you can tell me."16

She knew that. Why was this so hard? She knew Blake would understand. They had been friends for five years, he had always been on her side.17

"Blake, I think my father was murdered."18

His left eyebrow raised slightly, which she knew, was his rendition of being surprised.19

"Murdered?" He seemed to let it play out in his mind. Leaning back in his chair, he loosened his tie, "Your father always was a very healthy man, I must admit I was taken back by his sudden death but..."20

"Blake I just know that something isn't right about all of this. I know it sounds crazy, asking you to go on my gut feeling, but I can't sleep. I need to know for sure."21

The look in her eyes broke Blakes heart. He knew that there wasn't any evidence to go on, but maybe they had missed something. He was 75 years old and it had seemed that he had died in his sleep. There were no signs of foul play, but under such circumstances, forensics performs a quick sweep. He remembered the pictures, but he wouldn't allow himself on the scene, it was too personal. Emotions get in the way of the job, they distort the truth, even if it's right there infront of you. He could already feel his emotions taking over.22

"What does Devon think of this?" 23

She only shrugged, and looked at her feet. 24

"Okay, you haven't told him yet... Who do you think would want to hurt your father?25

"Blake, my father was the president of Lindale Corp. When it comes to money, anyone could be your worst enemy." 26

"Nara, I shouldn't get involved in such a personal case." 27

There was that look again. Damn she was good. He sighed heavily. 28

"I will go over the file, and I will go back to your father's....Mr. Bright's house, and see what I can find."29

He saw the relief flood her body, her shoulders eased down and the light in her eyes flickered a little.30

"I owe you the world." She shuffled to get around the oversized desk, and kissed his cheek.31

" I'll be expecting that in small monthly payments, Hawaii first of course, then maybe europe."32

She laughed. It was good to hear her laugh again.33