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THE FOLLOWING WEEK, most of the towns people met at the Keptons & Keptons Memorial House for Brad’s memorial service. The funeral home was filled with oak design interior and fresh flowers that adorned the hallways.
It was, as expected, very quiet and peaceful interior design. But Dana could tell as she walked in with Katie that there was nothing peaceful about the way most people felt.
She couldn’t help but overhear some of the whispers of the guests.
“I’m so glad he’s gone. The guy was a total menace.” One woman whispered to her friend.
Dana was aghast. She wondered why they had even bothered to come then since he was, as they had said, a total menace.
She tried to think of something positive to say.
But that was nothing compared to his viewing. She still couldn’t get over the fact that his fiancée insisted on the new drive-through viewing.
The drive-through viewing was a brand new service that was offered by Keptons & Keptons for busy mourners who’d rather drive through with a window of the coffin at the side of the building to view. It was just in time for his college mates from back where he was originally from to pull up to a drive through at the Keptons, who tried hard to be the most unique funeral home this side of town.
Apparently, when the front wheels of the vehicle pulled up to the side, the window blinds where his coffin would lay would open up so that those who want to say their farewell could do so.
Dana didn’t want to comment but she thought she would be mortified if anyone had done that to her.
Still, Brad was an unusual guy in life, she supposed. He liked to do things differently, didn’t he?
Dana couldn’t bear any more. She took her glass of orange juice and walked over to see the flowers when she noticed Bianca and her mother talking outside the reception area with another woman.
“Well, what’s done is done. It’s all for the best.”
“I know,” Mrs. Baxter said, stern. “At least it’s all over. Now the secret will be buried with him.”
“Mother!” Bianca protested.
“Oh, never mind, Bianca,” Mrs. Baxter attempted to pacify her. “It’s for the best and you know it. I’m just glad it’s all over now.”
“Yes, but mother. It’s his memorial. For goodness sake.” Bianca then stormed away from the conversation and before she knew it, Dana was hit by her as she bumped into her.
“You?” Bianca shouted. “What are you doing here? Haven’t you done enough with your poisonous cupcakes?”
“Now that’s not fair,” Katie came to Dana’s defense before she could say anything else.
“Bianca, I’m truly sorry about what happened to Brad.” Dana was genuinely heartbroken over the murder.
“I’ll bet you are. He told the truth about your tacky tactics and trashy cakes and you’re here now to gloat. Go away.”
“Is there a problem here, ma’am?” The funeral director came rushing to Bianca’s side bumping into a mourner. Rushing like a customer service manager to the aide of a high-paying customer. Mrs. Baxter later came out to see what all the commotion was about.
“I want these people out of here now. How dare they show up here?”
“We came to pay our respects, Bianca. But we’ll leave now.” Dana kept her voice as caring and calm as she could. She didn’t blame Bianca who after all lost her fiancé, though she wasn’t sure now after what she’d just overheard if it was as traumatic for her as it appeared.
Still, Dana really did want to keep the peace in there. The last thing she would want would be to be a crasher at a memorial, of all events.
She nodded politely and placed her glass of orange juice on the counter by the door before heading away with Katie. So much for wanting to support the bereaved.
There was something very odd about that whole situation. For instance, where on earth were Brad’s parents?
“Hey, is everything all right?” Detective Evan approached them in the parking lot of the memorial. “I’d like to have a word with you, Miss Sweet, if you don’t mind.”
“Yes, everything is...um...good, thank you,” Dana responded.
“You sure, now?” Evan arched a brow. His attention seemed focused on Dana.
Dana sighed. She didn’t want to get all emotional right now. But she couldn’t help but feel a little deflated after being thrown out of a memorial service.
“It’s just been a crazy morning, detective,” Katie offered. “Dana, I’ll be right over there if you need me.”
Katie then walked over to the car and left Dana alone with the detective.
“I understand.” Evan stroked the chin of his chiseled jaw. His handsome face showed a flicker of apprehension.
“Is something wrong, detective?” Dana asked, boldly.
“Well, I know I shouldn’t be telling you this but...well, it’ll be public information soon enough.”
“Tell me what?”
“Well, the lab saw traces of digoxin sprinkled on the cupcake.”
“Traces of digoxin?” Dana’s jaw fell open.
“Yes, ma’am. It was powdered down obviously and sprinkled on the cake. It’s not too hard to find out who has a prescription for the pill soon enough but I’ll appreciate you keeping that to yourself for now.”
“Of course.” Dana didn’t know what to think but she felt relieved that Evan trusted her enough to tell her this bit of information.
“You’re not thinking...”
“That you could have done it. We have a lead. But I’m not saying anything more on the subject for now. I’ll keep you posted. Troy and myself.”
“Of course.”
Dana swallowed hard. The reality hit her full force. So this confirmed it then. Brad really was poisoned and all sticky fingers were pointing to a frame-up!