Sue said goodbye to Jennifer as they dropped her off.
“You can’t stay?”
Sue shook her head. “It’s official, I’m off protection duty.”
Ryan spoke up, his tone all business. “There’s an officer inside, he’ll be in the lounge all day. Someone will replace him this evening.”
“We’re supposed to visit Winter today, in fact, in about two hours.” Jennifer looked at Sue.
“I know, we should probably cancel so you can get some sleep.”
Jennifer shook her head emphatically.
“No. Did you get the photo?”
“I did, and a few details about Winter and Aaron. I can show you the photo and fill you in another day.”
“No.”
“You need to rest.”
“I can rest later. We won’t be with Winter long. Please, Sue.”
“Alright, I’ll pick you up.”
“Thank you.”
Jennifer opened the garage door, locked it behind her and looked up to see a plainclothes officer watching.
“Hello Jennifer, I’m Stuart. Sue’s told me all about you. I’m here if you need me for anything.”
“Thanks,” the dejection in her voice clear. She pulled herself up the stairs, her feet throbbing.
“Hey bud,” she said to Grimsby who sat waiting at the door. “I need to take a shower and toss this suit out, it’s ruined.” She checked his water and food dish. Someone, probably the officer downstairs, had fed Grimsby. Sue would have made sure of it. Jennifer was used to having Sue around. She’d miss her.
Dialing the answering service, she let them know she was back and asked them to cover the line for another half hour. There were no messages and Jennifer felt a heady sense of relief. Today was Linda and Greg’s fourth anniversary.
Jennifer called Anne, it went to voicemail. She left her a message saying she was home and safe. She thought about her promise to herself to call her parents, but didn’t feel ready to speak to either of them. They must have heard about the kidnapping on the news, she thought. Yet they hadn’t called to see if she was OK—no message from them. It could wait. She wandered over to the window and stared across the parking lot at Simon’s upstairs window. All was still.
She tossed her torn dirty suit into a bag and put it in the corner of her closet. She wasn’t ready to throw it out; no one had mentioned it could be evidence, but she held onto it just in case. The bandages on her feet were caked with dried blood. Not bothering to soak them off, she unwound them and pulled them off, ignoring the pain. She realized she didn’t have anything to replace them with. Socks and running shoes will have to do for now, she rationalized. Sue and I can stop at a drug store later.
Standing in the shower for a long time, she soaped herself liberally with lavender soap and shampooed her hair. The bathroom smelled wonderful. Feeling rejuvenated, she dried and styled her hair into a smaller and higher bun, due to her new hair cut, and put on her black funeral jacket and black pants.
It was mid-morning. Sue would be by to pick her up soon. Jennifer looked around for a colourful top, finally choosing red. She’d have to ask Sue to shop with her for a new suit later in the day. The running shoes looked a bit ridiculous. She stared at her feet. At least her runners were mostly black and grey with some red that almost matched her top. Grimsby lay on the bathmat waiting for her to finish.
“Not very attractive, but it will have to do,” she told him. His ears flicked. She reached down to stroke his fur. He purred with contentment. “I didn’t think I was going to see you again Grimsby.”
She reviewed herself in the mirror again. There were no bruises on her face, just a couple of minor scratches and the cut on her forehead. Her right hand was swollen from the soft tissue injury. The jacket and pants covered the rest of the scrapes and bruises.
“Bye Grimsby, see you later.” She picked up her phone and portable charger, slipped it into her inside pocket and went downstairs to seek out her new protection officer.
She heard voices as she approached the lounge. Familiar, friendly voices—Peter’s voice, followed by Elaine’s. Turning the corner, she saw Peter sitting with his crutches beside him. He rose. Elaine got to Jennifer first. Jennifer barely noticed Officer Stuart.
Elaine swept her into a hug. “Thank God you’re safe.”
Peter was next. “I’m back,” he said in a Schwarzenegger voice as he lifted her off her feet and set her down gently.
“Haven’t you had enough of all this Travis nonsense?” said a voice behind her. “I mean really, Jennifer, the rest of us are so over it.” It was Marcia. She took one look at Jennifer and burst into tears.
“Don’t cry.” Jennifer as she hugged her. “It’s OK, really.” There was no point, they both sobbed for a bit before they were able to compose themselves.
“Wait a minute,” said Jennifer, stepping back and looking at her friend. “Don’t you have a funeral today? And a visitation?”
“We do. I just stopped by for a couple of minutes. I have something to confess.”
Jennifer looked at her friend fondly and with mock seriousness raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Brent is starting later today. I called him. It’s a few days early, but I have movers clearing the cottage as we speak and he’ll stay there until his family joins him in their new place.”
“That’s why I pay you the big bucks. You have been carrying a heavy workload. Good call.”
“Well, if you’d stop romping all over the province ...” Marcia stopped mid-sentence and started to cry again.
Elaine spoke up. “Tea or coffee, Jennifer?”
“Coffee please.”
“Marcia?”
“Tea please, Elaine,” she responded as she attempted to stem the flood of tears. Elaine put her hand on Marcia’s shoulder as she walked to the counter.
“I’m sorry Peter, I didn’t say hi,” said Marcia. “Welcome back!”
“I’ll let it go this time,” Peter said sternly. “Just don’t let it happen again.”
The group of them laughed.
“Enough drama for one day,” Jennifer said. “I have a pending call. Anything new on your end Marcia?”
“Other than today’s visitation and service and the school assembly, and the visitation and funeral for Emily tomorrow ... no.”
Jennifer was not aware the little girl died last evening. Emotions would be running high for all of them as they struggled with her death. No wonder Marcia’s emotions were labile. “When is the assembly?”
“3:00 p.m. We have twenty minutes to present and answer questions from the kids.”
“I’ll meet you at Williams around 2:30. I had a chance to review some material yesterday, we can discuss it later.”
“Me too. You kept me up half the night so I used the time to prepare and stay focused on other things.”
After a quick break, Marcia returned to Williams. Jennifer turned her attention to Peter.
“I am so glad to have you back. How’s your foot?”
“Healing quickly. I’m ready to start working full-time again. Elaine has me set up in corner of the office at Williams. I’m also about a third of the way through the anatomy colouring book—I thought programming and coding was hard.” He laughed happily. “I’m loving it.”
Jennifer turned her attention to the officer who’d been sitting quietly, sipping coffee and observing the little group. “I have some work to do. Sue will be by later to pick me up.”
“Where are we going?” asked Stuart.
“We?” Jennifer said a bit too sharply.
“We, meaning you and me and Sue.” His tone was pleasant, he seemed to understand that Jennifer was trying to adjust to having him around instead.
“I’m sorry. I just assumed you’d be staying here. We’re going to the shelter for a short visit. The hospital Chaplain will be joining us. I need to buy a new suit, well, maybe a couple of new suits, shoes, then off to a drug store for a few items.”
“Got it,” came an amiable response.
Jennifer rose. “I have a few things that have to get done, I’ll be in my office.” She took a few steps forward and could feel the crusted blood on her feet sticking to her socks. Parts of her feet were raw and hurt. She limped the last few steps to her desk.
Peter and Elaine left for Williams Funeral Home.
Her first order of business was an email to Detective Sergeant Ryan Gillespie outlining the reasons why she felt Sue should not be pulled from the protection detail. Sticking to facts she outlined that Sue had not taken a single day off, even though she was on duty and should have. She suggested that had she complied with Sue’s orders, Sue would have had time to follow her downstairs. Jennifer accepted full responsibility for what happened. It took her almost an hour to complete the short report; she wanted every word perfect.
“There,” she said out loud as she hit send. Glancing at her watch she picked up the phone and called Mr. Duncan’s office. His secretary answered.
“Oh Jennifer, Mr. Duncan told me what happened. I’m so glad you are safe. Let me put you through.”
He picked up right away.
“Thank you,” said Jennifer before he had a chance to start the conversation.
“You’re very welcome. This goes deeper than any of us realized. You should know that my colleague’s information may have saved your life.”
“And jeopardized his?”
The pause at the end of the line confirmed her suspicions. She had the feeling Mr. Duncan spoke directly with Travis’ lawyer. She didn’t want to know or need to know how he got the information or whether or not that lawyer breached professional conduct rules.
“Possibly, although Travis and his lieutenant may never know where the information came from. They would have to make the connection and I think we were discrete. Travis is obsessed with you. He wants revenge and he wants to kill you. I think his lieutenant may have talked some sense into him last night. Someone told Travis about your purchase of Williams Funeral Home. Holding you hostage for the money that had been in the casket was the possible goal, you’re worth more to him alive than dead now.”
Jennifer had been listening intently. “That someone could have been Mr. Putnam?”
“Without proof we cannot make that allegation, although I will keep my ear to the ground, so to speak.”
“I see what you mean about it running deep. I’m very thankful and lucky to be alive. Thank you again, Mr. Duncan.”
“Bye, Jennifer.”
Sinking back in her chair, for the first time since Travis had kidnapped her hours before Jennifer had a moment of clarity—her mind sharp as things unfolded before her. It was clear now that Travis was a major crime boss masquerading as a funeral director. He made a mistake and left the cash in the casket and she’d inadvertently discovered it. His greed and pride had almost cost her life on more than one occasion. With three police forces working on apprehending him she knew he couldn’t last long.
“It’s not your problem,” she whispered. “Let it go.”
She opened her office door and heard Sue chatting with Officer Stuart.
“Hi Sue,” she said brightly.
“All set?”
“Yep.” It felt a bit awkward to be leaving with Stuart, who drove them to the shelter.
“I have to wait in the car,” he said. Men were not allowed in the shelter. He picked up his phone, pretending to read, although he wasn’t reading; he was actively watching for any sign of trouble.
Regina stood on the front porch. The three of them hugged.
“I have a photo of Winter and Aaron,” said Sue. “I will send it to your phones. I’d like to show it to Winter but I’m not sure the psychologist would approve. Her friend was her maid of honour at their wedding. None of the families knew about it and they kept it a secret.
“They were married?” exclaimed Jennifer. “Wow.”
“Winter’s friend said that Aaron used to be a player; he wasn’t serious about his life or his relationships, just wanted a good time. All that changed when he met Winter. They dated for over a year before they married. He was settling down and committed to her.”
“When did they get married?” asked Regina. Sue checked her notes. “Valentine’s Day at City Hall in Toronto in front of a Justice of the Peace. I had the Toronto officer check with the Registrar’s General’s Office, it’s legit.”
Sue finished sending the photo to Regina and Jennifer. Jen called it up. She caught her breath and stared at it in amazement.
It was Aaron Wisener—at least, she was pretty sure it was. Jennifer tapped the photo off and slipped it back into her pocket. There was one other person she had to check with first. Peter might be able to confirm or deny it was Mr. Wisener’s son, he’d gone to Toronto with Jennifer to pick up Aaron’s body.
Once again the three of them kept the visit with Winter short. She was starting to respond more to conversation and greeted the three of them with a pleasant hello. Jennifer sat closest to her and reminded her who she was.
“I remember you, Jennifer. I remember the Chaplain too.”
“Sue is a police officer friend of mine,” said Jennifer. “How are you feeling?”
“OK. Still really sad though.”
“Winter, the initials in the tree near the falls, are they yours?”
Winter looked at her but did not respond. She pulled her feet up and under her and folded her arms, trying to look smaller. Jennifer backed off any conversation and they sat quietly for several minutes.
With nothing further to discuss until they talked to the psychologist, Jennifer looked over and saw Regina’s tiny nod. It was time to leave.
“Goodbye Winter, see you soon,” she said as the three of them stood to leave.
Winter did not answer or show any sign that she’d heard them.
Outside they said goodbye to each other. “I’ll let you know what the psychologist advises,” Regina said. “See you later.”
Back in the car Jennifer and Sue turned their attention to shopping. Any discussion of Winter could wait until they were alone.
“Let’s go to the mall. I can pick up dressings at the pharmacy and buy some suits and a new pair of shoes. One stop shopping.”
Jennifer wanted to have a few minutes alone with Sue to find out what had happened, why Ryan had pulled her from the protection detail, and if there were any repercussions. She’d make sure she had the chance at the clothing store. Jennifer would try on a dozen items if it meant she and Sue could catch up away from the new guy.
They started at the drug store. Jennifer picked up the bandages and antibiotic cream first, then they went through a few shoe stores. Stuart stood outside, once again pretending to be on his phone. As Sue and Jennifer walked through the mall he kept a discreet distance behind them, but could likely still hear snatches of their conversation.
At the clothing store he sat down on a bench. Jennifer picked out three suits and handed Sue some blouses. “We need to talk, come with me.”
Sue nodded.
The change room was empty; Sue and Jennifer were the only ones there. Sue stood outside the cubicle pretending to hold clothing for Jennifer.
“What happened Sue? Why did they pull you from the detail? Whose decision was it?”
Sue gathered her thoughts. “I raced downstairs to try and catch the person I saw grab you. By the time I reached the lot, the car had pulled out of Simon’s driveway. I didn’t know it was Travis; I couldn’t see his face. He must have been prepared.” Her voice wavered. Jennifer heard her swallow.
“He would have seen you open the garage door. Must have had his keys and the chloroform ready. he probably popped the trunk and started the car remotely as he rushed outside. It was a well-planned kidnapping. One has to wonder how many times he grabbed his keys to come downstairs only to see you were with someone.” Sue sighed. Jennifer heard her pants rustle as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“He didn’t drive away on the main street—took a back route. The car he drove you away in was black. I called immediately for assistance.”
Jennifer opened the door to the change room. She stepped out and looked at herself in the three-way mirror. Her legs were bruised and scratched but she could tell the suit fit nicely. Sue concurred. Jennifer went back into the change room to try on the next one, her gaze locking with Sue’s in silent acknowledgment.
“The car Travis had me in up north was grey.”
“He must have switched somewhere here in town before he left town.”
“Then what?”
“This part is the hardest for me,” Sue said, her voice strained. “Detective Sergeant Gillespie was livid. He threatened to suspend me. I’ve never heard him yell like that. He grilled me over and over about every detail. Told me how disappointed he was in me and ordered me home; he would talk to the Lieutenant about disciplinary action.”
“But why?”
“Because you told me about the curtain at the window, and I should have known better. I did know better. I was supposed to go with you at all times. I was lazy and tired and I stood on the balcony instead.”
Jennifer didn’t answer. Police forces were often run like paramilitary organizations. It made sense that if an order was disobeyed there would be consequences.
“I begged Detective Sergeant Gillespie to let me stay. He finally agreed only because I knew you as well as anyone, other than Marcia, of course. He thought I might have an idea of how you would respond to the crisis.”
“Then what?”
“I sat at my desk. It was pretty tense. The rest of the staff felt it and avoided looking at me or talking to me. Detective Sergeant Gillespie left the office to call the Lieutenant and give him the details. The Lieutenant called me, told me I was being pulled from the detail and it would go on my record. All things considered, it was better than a suspension. The DS and I sat there all night waiting for news about you. We had no idea where you were; the police were on the lookout for a black sedan. Then you called and, well, you know the rest.”
Jennifer poked her head out of the cubicle. “I’ll take this one too. I should get several in Marcia’s size as well.” She could see the officer on the bench glance up. “I have to get to Williams and then off to the school for the assembly.”
“Jennifer, I’m really, truly sorry. Can you forgive me?” Jennifer stepped out of the cubicle and faced Sue.
“You’ve got that wrong. I’m the one who’s sorry. You do not ask for my forgiveness. I should have waited for you or left the garbage until the next day. Can you forgive me?”
Sue studied her face, then slowly nodded.
“Then it is behind us?” Jennifer asked. “I don’t blame you and I told Detective Sergeant Gillespie that in my email this morning.”
“You emailed him?”
“I did. He’s wrong.”
“The officer outside and the rest of the detail were read the riot act by Detective Sergeant Gillespie as well. They won’t dare make a mistake.”
“How many are there?”
“Three.”
“Huh—see, it takes three people to replace you. I think Detective Sergeant Gillespie needs to rethink his position. You were doing the work of three men.”
Sue chuckled.
The officer rose as they left the store.
“Can you drop me off at the funeral home, Stuart? Jennifer has to be at Williams’ soon, the school assembly is at three.”
He nodded and trailed behind them. Sue and Jennifer walked ahead carrying bags with shoes and suits and bandages.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. There was kind of a tender moment early this morning when Detective Sergeant Gillespie told Marcia you were safe,” said Sue in a low voice. She giggled softly. “Marcia was on the verge of hysteria when she heard you’d been kidnapped but she was holding it together. She had a house call and the little girl to pick up from the hospital. I don’t know how she did it. He kept calling her honey, reassuring her over and over it was OK, and I heard him say ‘I love you’ quietly into the phone. It was really sweet and it felt good to hear him like that after the dressing down he gave me.”
Jennifer chuckled softly too. “No one has called me honey in years.”
“Me either. But ...”
“What?”
“Haney did ask me out for coffee.”
“Did you go?”
“Dinner tonight instead.”
“I’m so happy for you! Good luck—let me know.” It felt good to smile again, she wanted the best for Sue.
In the car Jennifer’s phone cheeped. It was an email from Desta, who had a picture of the sign she designed for Williams.
“Wow. Look.” She handed the phone to Sue.
Sue looked at it carefully. “That is as professional a sign as I’ve ever seen. The design element is spectacular.”
Jennifer studied it in more detail then emailed Desta back, told her to show it to Brent and Marcia and go ahead and order it.
Gwen had texted her as well. She’d heard about the kidnapping on the news. Jennifer felt a little guilty she hadn’t found the time to let Gwen know she was OK.
She texted her. Can you stop by for a latte tonight?
Sure, 9:30 OK?
Yep, my treat. Will pay you when you arrive. No arguments. My turn.
OK. See ya.
At the funeral home Jennifer gave Sue a hug goodbye and told Officer Stuart she was going to run upstairs and drop off the parcels. There was no time to put on bandages.
Grimsby lay asleep on the back of the couch; she said hi to him. His ear twitched and he stretched but left it at that.
Downstairs she heard Peter, who had come to pick up something for Elaine.
“I have to scoot, but I wanted to get your advice. This is in strictest confidence,” she whispered.
Peter nodded.
Jennifer showed him the photo of Winter and Aaron.
“Do you recognize the young man?”
Peter studied the picture carefully then looked at Jennifer.
“I’ve seen him before, I’m sure of it. I just don’t know who it is.”
“Aaron ...”
“Wisener,” finished Peter quickly. “Yes, he looks like Aaron Wisener.”
“Thanks Peter, I thought so too. See you later.”
“You bet.”
Jennifer picked up her notes for the assembly and sat in the back seat of the car, deciding to feel like she was being chauffeured. She didn’t care that it was a bit immature to feel that way, too much had happened in the past few days to worry about what anyone might or might not think.
When she arrived at Williams, Desta greeted her as she entered the front door. Jen left Officer Stuart sitting in the car.
“Desta, your design is exceptional. You have some serious talent.”
“Thank you, Jennifer. I enjoyed doing it.”
“Do you think you could design one for Spencer’s?”
Desta smiled. What a beautiful, talented woman, thought Jennifer. She should be working in an environment where her gift is recognized and appreciated and she’s well compensated. As a recent immigrant, Desta had fought some uphill battles.
“I could make a sign that doesn’t compete with the other one but is similar. Sort of a brand sign, since you now own both funeral homes.”
Jennifer made a mental note to ensure that Desta received a healthy bonus for her work.
“That’d be great. Thanks, Desta.”
Marcia and Brent came up the stairs, followed by Elaine, who slipped past them into the front office. Jennifer walked over and extended her still-swollen right hand to Brent.
“Welcome Brent. Thank you for starting early. I hope you’ll be as happy at Williams as we are to have to join us.”
Brent’s firm but not too firm handshake didn’t hurt.
“I am glad to be here Jennifer. I heard about the kidnapping on the news. It must have been a horrible experience for you.”
“It was,” said Jennifer soberly. Brent’s comment wasn’t nosey or condescending. People often didn’t know what to say when faced with a difficult situation. Brent clearly knew how to respond to people at their level.
“Would you like me to take calls for both funeral homes tonight? You and Marcia have had a busy week from what I hear.”
“Thank you, Brent, I haven’t slept yet. Marcia’s been very busy. Marcia?”
“Absolutely. Thank you.”
“If ladies by the name of Evelyn or Linda call with news of Greg’s death, please tell them you can reach me right away. I promised them I would be there. I did tell the answering service to put them through.
“Of course, Jennifer, I have done the same for families. Some just tug at your heart and you have to respond.”
Jennifer and Marcia concurred.
“Shall we get to it?” Marcia asked.
“Officer Stuart is outside in the car. I didn’t think to ask him to come in. I’m not thinking clearly.”
“Officer Stuart?” queried Brent. “Like Thomas the Tank Engine or Bob the Builder?”
Jennifer and Marcia laughed. “Stuart is one of the police officers assigned to my protection detail, my bodyguard. In order for me to keep them straight they will be named Officer ‘whatever their names are’. This one is Stuart. He will be off-duty shortly and I get to meet another one. One of quite a few policemen I’ve interacted with over the past twenty-four hours.”
“Then I shall go fetch him for coffee while you two ladies work.”
Marcia and Jennifer settled in a corner of one of the suites and for the next twenty minutes reviewed their notes and strategy for the assembly.
Satisfied that they had covered as many bases as they could, Marcia sat back in her chair. “You do realize that these are kids and kids can throw a few curve balls.”
“Very true. I’m not a parent, but I do believe in being honest with them, at any age.”
“Me too. I just hope some of the parents don’t complain.”
“They will. You and I both know parents want to protect their kids, some a little too much. Ready?”
“Let’s go.” As they approached the top of the stairs to the lounge they could hear Brent and Officer Stuart laughing together.
“You know, hiring Brent was a smart move Jen. It’s good to have a male presence. Have you looked at hiring a second director?”
“No, I have to get on it. I was thinking about applying to bring in an apprentice for next June. ‘Course, that would be up to Brent. I don’t mind working both funeral homes at all, it’s just that I keep getting sidetracked with business matters.”
“We might manage until then. I don’t mind the back and forth either.”
Both men looked up as they came down the stairs.
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning Brent, call sooner if you need me for a coroner’s call,” said Marcia.
“Jeff can help me. Good luck with the assembly.” Jennifer was pleasantly surprised that Brent had stepped so smoothly into his role as manager. Marcia needed the night off.
Marcia took her car to the school; this time Jennifer rode in the front seat with Officer Stuart. The three of them entered the building together.
“I have butterflies,” Marcia whispered to Jennifer.
“Me too,” she responded.
“So do I,” said a voice behind them. They both turned to Officer Stuart. He shrugged. “Hey, it’s the principal’s office.” Marcia and Jennifer smiled at him, his humour lifting some of their unease.
As they signed in at the desk, the principal came out of his office to meet them. Jennifer and Marcia introduced themselves and Jennifer introduced the police officer by his first name. “Stuart will be observing,” she said.
“Thank you for coming. The students know that Emily died, and that her funeral is tomorrow. Some of the parents did not approve of the assembly so a teacher will be staying in a classroom with them until dismissal. How would you like to be introduced?”
“First names preferably,” Jennifer said. “If they were teens I’d suggest using our last names but at this age we want them to feel safe with us.”
“Good call.” The principal moved over the to PA system and announced the assembly. Jennifer and Marcia heard a discord of noise in the hallway as the children filed along.
The principal led the way into the noisy gym. The kids sat on the floor. The teachers and some of the students started “Shhh” and the gym quickly settled into a quiet sea of little faces.
“This is a very special assembly today,” the principal said. “I’d like you to meet Marcia and Jennifer. They are funeral directors. Can we welcome them?” The students applauded as they continued to look up at Marcia and Jennifer expectantly.
“Thank you,” Marcia said, turning the principal and smiling, then looking down at the children. “Jennifer and I are happy to be here. Does anyone know what a funeral director does?”
A few hands went up. Jennifer pointed to a little boy in the middle of the group.
“You help dead people.”
Jennifer didn’t miss a beat, “Good answer, that is some of what we do.” The little boy wiggled with satisfaction at the praise.
“How many of you have been to a funeral?” asked Marcia. Only two hands went up. “Let me ask you first,” Marica pointed to a little girl. “Do you remember anything about it?”
“It was my grandma,” she said importantly. “She had makeup on and was lying in bed. Well, it wasn’t a bed s’actly, it was more like a bed with a lid.”
Jennifer bit her lip to keep from smiling.
“And you?” Marcia asked the little boy.
He sat up straight. “I am not afraid of dead people,” he announced. “I sat in the hearse and went to the graveyard. I saw someone dressed like you put dirt on the casket before you put it down in the hole.”
His classmates looked at him in admiration.
Jennifer took over, giving a three-minute talk on what happened when someone died and how a funeral director helped.
Marcia took a couple of minutes to talk about remembering Emily.
They asked the kids if they had any questions. Hands shot up and one by one queries were answered, Jennifer and Marcia alternating.
One little girl asked if Emily was in heaven. Jennifer paused briefly before answering. It wasn’t her job to negate any person’s faith. “Do you think she’s in heaven?”
“Yes,” the little girl said.
“I think so too,” Jennifer supported.
“But she is happy,” added the little girl. “My cat Susie is in heaven. Emily can play with her.”
All too soon the principal stepped in. “Thank you students for being so well-behaved for our guests. And a thank you Jennifer and Marcia. We have enjoyed learning what funeral directors do and why.” The students applauded as the bell rang. They scrambled to get to their classrooms to collect their things for home.
The principal walked the women to the door and thanked them warmly for coming. “It’s important work you do. You did a great job presenting to Emily’s classmates. Thank you.”
“I like your confidence,” Marcia said as they exited the school.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, for example, when the principal asked you how we should be introduced, you didn’t hesitate. You told him what you wanted and why. I was so unnerved at being in the principal’s office I would have had trouble answering.”
Jennifer laughed. “Truthfully, I was as unnerved as you were. I had to keep telling myself on the way over that I was the expert. I didn’t feel like one, but I had to believe I was or I wouldn’t have been able to walk into that gym.”
“I’ll have to remember that. It’s a good technique and it worked. The kids responded well, didn’t they?”
“They did,” said Stuart from behind them. Marcia and Jennifer turned and looked at Officer Stuart. “I was quite impressed by the two of you. I had no idea funeral directors were so diverse.”
“About ninety percent of our time is spent with the living,” said Marcia. “Although I don’t mind the ten percent of time spent with the dead either. Dead people do teach us things about life as well as death.”
“I’m heading to the condo to see how things are going,” Marcia said as they parted. “The movers called at noon to tell me everything has been settled. I can’t wait to spend my first night there. Ryan’s making dinner.”
“Congrats. I’d go with you and bring a bottle of wine, help you settle in. It would be so much fun.”
“But you need to sleep. We’ll try for this weekend. Phil might be coming down.” She hugged Jennifer tightly. “Thanks,” she whispered.
Officer Stuart opened the passenger door for Jennifer. “You look done in. Let’s get you home.”