Izza's funeral was held on a Saturday in the month of September. Izza was missed terribly by her parents, the Millers. Mrs. Miller was crying the entire time. I was standing in front of the coffin while Izza was being lowered into the ground.
Jacob was standing next to me. This was our first funeral we had attended since our parents died. I had a flashback of how we used to be a happy family. Jacob and I were raised by good parents who always loved and cared for us.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller reminded me a lot of Jacob and myself when we buried our parents except I was the one crying the entire time. I had just started college and was beginning to live my life my own way.
In seconds my life was turned upside down never to completely recover. Suddenly, I came back to the present time and began to hold Jacob's hand really tight. I was afraid I was going to be sick.
Izza was murdered, dumped into the woods as though she were nothing more than trash. Izza didn't deserve to die that way. No one does. I still can't believe she is gone. And, I knew that if it was hard for me, it must be ten times harder for Jacob to accept.
What's more, being the one who found her body, he must be mortified. I didn't know how to help him except to be there for him whenever he showed signs of having a hard time dealing with it.
I had known Izza for a long time. She was always supportive of Jacob. Everyone left the grave site together and met again at the Millers home where the reception took place. I was standing in front of the Miller's picture collection on the wall.
They all looked so happy, like the perfect family. Now a very important family member was gone, never to return again. Izza's big sister, Marie, who was only a few years older than Izza, walked up to me and told me how Izza had always wanted to be a doctor.
I took a deep breath and sighed. I began to feel sick all over again. I quickly went to the bathroom where I vomited until my stomach felt very empty. Jacob came looking for me. "Ryan?!" Jacob shouted. I took a deep breath and sighed. Jacob knocked loudly on the bathroom door.
"I'll be out in a few minutes, Jake," I said. "Are you okay?" he asked."I am fine, Jake. I'll meet you downstairs, okay?" Jacob sighed, and marched away from the bathroom. I felt like I needed to let out a gigantic cry.
A moment later, I found myself walking out of the bathroom and downstairs., Jacob was sitting on the couch in the living room.
David was sitting next to Jacob. I walked up to Jacob and asked him how he was handling the whole situation. Jacob sheepishly smiled at me. I gave him a look that said I understand and smiled at him warmly.
Mrs. Miller heard a knock on the door. I saw her walk up to the door and open. "Can I help you?" Mrs. Miller asked, wondering.
There were two detectives standing in front of the door, Detective Sailor, and his partner Detective Evans were wondering if Jacob was there at the reception.
Mrs. Miller pointed out to Jacob and I, and Detective Sailor had taken out a pair of handcuffs out of his pocket, and everyone inside the house saw what was happening.
"Jacob Morgan, please turn around and put your hands behind your back," Detective Sailor said.
"What?" I asked, in confusion.
I just looked at Jacob.
"Please, put your hands behind your back, Mr. Morgan," Detective Sailor said.
I chuckled, scoffing, "Why?"
"Please Ryan, don't make this any more difficult than it seems," Detective Sailor said.
"Ryan?" Jacob asked, wondering. Jacob began to feel scared.
"What is going on?" I asked.
Jacob was getting all worked up, frustrated and Detective Sailor rudely touched Jacob, crossed his arms and hands together behind his back.
"Jacob Morgan, you're under arrest for the murder of Izza Miller. You have the right to remain silent. Anything that you say can be used against you in a court of law."
Jacob and Detective Sailor had marched their way out of Mr. and Mrs. Miller's house. I was speechless. How come Jacob is being accused of being a criminal? I followed Detective Sailor, and Jacob, and I just watched my little brother being taken down to the police station.
I didn't know what was going on, until a click in my mind that Jacob is possibly committed for murder.
I sighed, and I immediately went for my car. I cranked up the engine and I followed the police car to the police station. Jacob was brought into the interrogation room once again. Jacob didn't want to speak until I was in the room with him, since he explained to Detectives Sailor and Detective Evans that I was going to be Jacob's lawyer.
In the interrogation room, I was sitting next to Jacob. Jacob seemed nervous, and I was trying to keep him calm. Detective Sailor came inside the room with his partner, and I was making sure that Jacob was not going to get into trouble with the detectives.
It was payback time, I was going to defend my own brother.
"Jacob, do you know why you're here?" Detective Sailor asked.
Jacob shrugged.
"You are here because you committed a crime," Detective Sailor said.
"What makes you think my brother is a suspect?" I asked. Detective Sailor sighed, sitting down in his chair, "I think Jacob can tell you why," Detective Sailor explained.
I just looked at Jacob, Jacob was looking down, looking all scared and terrified.
"There was a knife located at the scene, and the DNA was proven that your fingerprints were a match to the murder weapon," Detective Sailor explained, pulling out the evidence bag.
"Can you explain to me what happened, Jacob?"
I was very shocked. I just looked at Jacob once again. Jacob was still startled.
"Jacob?" I asked, softly.
"I don't know, I don't know," Jacob said in frustration. Detective Sailor had looked at Jacob weirdly, like he knew Jacob had a learning disability.
"Jake, it's okay, just answer the detective's questions," I said.
Jacob sighed.
Jacob looked at me, and I smiled. Jacob looked at Detective Sailor and Jacob explained to Detective Sailor he didn't kill Izza. Detective Sailor sighed, I was trying to keep Jacob calm, he has a severe case of hyperactivity and autism.
"Is there something wrong with him?" Detective Sailor asked rudely. "Jacob is autistic if that's what you mean?"
Detective Sailor sighed, he didn't like the way I replied to him, and Jacob was stating he wanted to go home.
"Not until you answer my questions, Jacob."
"No, I want to go home," Jacob was throwing a tantrum. I was doing my best to keep Jacob calm.
Detective Evans was being polite to Jacob. He was explaining to Jacob nicely that Jacob isn't into any trouble or anything, they just wanted to ask some questions.It's like taking a test, you know how a test asks questions and you answer them correctly?" Jacob shook his head, yes. I just smiled at him, realizing how much I love my autistic brother.
"Is it okay Jacob, if you can answer the questions honestly?" Detective Evans asked, smiling a little. "Okay," Jacob said. I sighed, and then I stroked Jacobs' hair.
"Okay, that's good," Detective Evans said. I sighed, and I continued giving my support to Jacob.