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Matt and John insisted on a private funeral. I helped plan what I could but what we all were waiting for was the autopsy results.
A few days after the death, Matt came home with the information. We all gathered and waited.
“First of all, the police department has cleared Deanna and Paul. They didn’t have enough contact with Lance,” Matt said.
“Cleared? As in not suspects?” Ivy asked.
“Yes. Of course, you and Brody weren’t anywhere near Lance. Gunnar and I weren’t there that night.” Matt sat at my kitchen table.
“Back up, Matt. You’re saying that he was murdered?” I asked.
“The death is suspicious. He was on the right meds. They found some stimulants in his system. We’re not sure if he took them or someone slipped them to him but they triggered a massive coronary,” Matt said.
Mary Lou sighed. “Sounds like natural causes.”
“They are going to re-interview you, Greg, and Lucifer tomorrow. Just to be sure.” Matt frowned.
“Did Lance have a drug problem?” Paul asked.
Matt shook his head. “Not that I knew of.”
We glanced at Mary Lou.
“He didn’t sleep much. He drank tons of coffee,” she replied.
“This wasn’t coffee,” Matt said.
Mary Lou shrugged. “He kept a lot from me. His work. His mistresses. Maybe his drugs.”
“Hopefully it wasn’t murder,” Ivy said.
“Ivy and I are going to make dinner. Pasta or something comforting. You’re all invited. Tonight, here at seven,” Brody said.
“Thanks, sounds great.” I could use a supportive night over one filled with fighting.
The scent of garlic bread filled the house. My stomach rumbled. Brody had proven himself a good cook. I saw red and alfredo sauces so I couldn’t complain. A couple different noodle types as well. They were going deep in the pasta theme.
Seeing Ivy with an apron on and seeming to enjoy domestic bliss was rare. When the doorbell rang, she barked at me. “You’re on the door, De.”
I answered it and hugged Paul before he even entered. The tension in the house from Mary Lou, Matt, and Greg was unnerving.
“News?” I asked.
Paul shrugged. “They aren’t going to tell me anything. I was there that night. Odds are whatever was found was easily attainable.”
With everyone else in the house, we all gathered and I poured some wine. What else do you have with pasta?
“What are we toasting?” Greg asked.
“Lance.” Matt shot back.
“Brody moving in officially,” Ivy said.
That got a bit of applause.
“My new job.” Mary Lou lifted her glass.
“The rehab center nearly being done,” Paul tossed in.
“Good things in a new year and remembering those who are gone,” I said diplomatically.
We all drank and began to fill our plates.
“I’m so killing my new job. It’s a dream. Cool club. Cool people. Entertaining the popular trendy people of New Orleans.” Mary Lou took very little food.
“Lance’s assistant and secretary said he’d act up but they never saw him doing anything illegal.” Matt started a different topic.
“I didn’t see anyone go at him with a needle,” Paul said.
“I got drugged with LSD and Molly in water,” I reminded him.
“It’d have to be a high dose to trigger cardiac arrest,” Paul countered.
Mary Lou sighed loudly. “I choose to believe it was natural. Years of eating junk, drinking a ton of coffee, smoking, and stress. He never wanted to change. It all caught up with him. He was stalking me. He started the fight. I was happy in my new job and he couldn’t stand it.”
Greg looked at me for help.
“I was thinking about redecorating the living room. I feel like it’s still how Gran had it. A bit dark and like a perpetual mourning. I think a little change could work,” I said.
Paul nodded. “Could be good.”
“I like it. Needs a fresh spin,” Ivy said.
“Lucifer might have some ideas. His office is decorated in the most amazing black on gray on silver.” Mary Lou drained her wine glass.
I took the opportunity and while attempting to refill it, I knocked her glass on the hardwood floor.
It cracked.
“I’ll get you a new glass. I’m such a klutz sometimes,” I said.
I grabbed the broken glass carefully and slipped into the kitchen. After trashing the busted up one, I grabbed a clean wine glass. Before going back, I coated the inside with a small amount of holy water.
Back with the party, I filled her new glass before she might’ve noticed the water pooling at the bottom.
Conversations kept firing in other directions and Mary Lou dragged them back to Lucifer and Dungeon. I watched her and tried not to be obvious about it.
Finally, she downed her glass of wine and gagged. She coughed and sputtered until she was foaming at the mouth.
“She’s been poisoned, too,” Matt said.
“Nope, she’ll be fine.” I pulled a vial of holy water from my pocket and tossed it at her face.
“Bitch!” Mary Lou said in a deep, gravelly voice that wasn’t hers.
“Possessed?” Greg said.
“Oh yeah,” I said.
“How dare you!” Mary Lou ran for the door.
“Three Stooges!” I called.
The angels flew down from their spare room and surrounded Mary Lou.
“Contain her in your room until we can exorcise her properly,” I said.
The others saw Mary Lou levitating up the stairs, cursing and screaming. I saw the angels saving my friend. Not to mention saving my other friends and I from having to wrestle Mary Lou into submission.
“We might need some of your priest buddies, Greg. She knows you too well,” I pointed out.
He nodded and picked up his phone. “Let the angels wear her down for a day or two.”