The Collection by Shannon Stoker

shouldn’t plan on an empty stomach,” Riley said. “Go get yourself ready for the day and I’ll get us some breakfast. Then afterward you can show me more of your self-defense skills. Try to think about other options too. Never turn your brain off.”
    Riley closed her laptop and Mia stood up. It was becoming easy for Mia to read Riley. Her sudden change of subject made Mia all the more curious about the town, but as she would in a game of chess, Mia decided to wait to make her move.

Chapter 14
    FROM VICTIM TO HERO: GRANT MARSDEN REPRESENTS THE AMERICAN IDEAL
    â€” American Gazette
    â€œAnd now the deceased’s husband will speak,” the funeral director said.
    Grant went to take center stage. Everyone was sitting outside on his back lawn. “Lawn” was an understatement. It was the acres on which his mansion and many secondary houses sat. He walked up to the podium and looked at the jar of ashes on display. He wondered what was inside, knowing it wasn’t Amelia. After nodding at the contents he looked out over the audience.
    It was his business acquaintances mainly, the heads of all the military departments and their wives. Some lower-level individuals he dealt with frequently. Members of his team and Rex, his most trusted assistant, assembled with other staff for his home. Greg Finnegan had brought his partner, and some of his media counterparts were present too. Strangers, but their cameras lined the back row and all were going to feature this speech at some point on their programs. Grant was disappointed that the grand commander hadn’t attended. None of Amelia’s family was invited, of course, because her family was Grant now. Ha.
    Grant wasn’t nervous about giving the speech he’d prepared; he hoped he could muster up some grief. He tried to think of different situations that would allow him to display some real emotions. Grant thought about what his mother and father must have been like, but Grant had had a good life and felt better off without them. He envisioned Rex passing on; that annoyed Grant more than brought tears. Then he decided if grief wouldn’t come he would show the world his anger. That was easy to conjure up with the image of Mia flying off in his helicopter fresh in his mind.
    â€œMy wife is dead. I worked so hard and chose with caution, never thinking this was a possibility. I’m angry that my hard work went for naught and I’m angry that I lost so much. I racked my brain thinking of what I could have done to deserve this. I fought for my country, I work for my country, and I live for my country. Focusing on these strengths, I realized this is no punishment. This is an unfortunate occurrence that I will survive and grow from. People will learn from this. Protect your wives and daughters. I know when the time comes for me to wear the titles of ‘husband’ and ‘father,’ I will.”
    The speech was memorized and Grant took turns making eye contact with his audience. At the end he spoke into the cameras. He picked up the vase of ashes and took off the lid.
    â€œThis should symbolize not the passing of life, but a new start for myself.”
    With that Grant turned around and scattered the ashes behind him. The people in the crowd clapped. When he turned to face them they were standing. Some of the women were wiping away tears. It was perfect. He smiled with them and nodded his head. The grand commander was right; these people didn’t want a victim, they wanted a hero, and Grant was playing his part.
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    A fter Grant had shaken hands with everyone present, they packed up their things and left. Grant’s employees scattered back to their posts within his great estate. The last one left was Rex. Rex lived on Grant’s property in one of the smaller homes. Today he joined Grant in the walk up to his mansion. Some people thought it was too large, but not Grant. It was a symbol of his wealth and he was