Carol Shenold - Tali Cates 02 - Bloody Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

wants the job, especially at the last minute. You’re stuck with me.”
    She finished off her tea and stood up. “It’s been enlightening. Metal detectors are out so the guards will have to do. You take care of that. Tell them to be at the amphitheatre at five p.m., wearing their uniforms and ID.”
    “Wait, Laurel. What if the volunteers are tied up with other police or sheriff business?”
    “Just handle it. I can’t do everything. I’ll see you tonight. You will be there early?”
    It wasn’t a question, it was a command.
    * * * *
    After I talked to dispatch—who said they would talk to the sheriff but thought there were some auxiliary deputies who could be used—I thought about Mumsie’s suggestion. The idea of touching the victim—I couldn’t bear to call her by name—turned my stomach. Maybe I could just touch what she was wearing. That might give me some indication about what was going on. So, how was I going to find her? Would she still be in the hospital lab or at the funeral home? What excuse could I use to get access?
    Maybe if I said my firm was donating food for the post-funeral dinner. Most people have their churches do that for them but I couldn’t remember Marcia attending a specific church. I could claim to be checking on event space at the funeral home. Now, if her husband had decided to cremate, it might be difficult to get access to the body, but if they were set up for visitation, I might be able to touch her.
    I called the funeral home.
    “Restful Passages. How can we make your passage easier?” The tone was sober and the voice was female and about twenty-something and perky.
    I choked back a giggle. Shameful. “This is Tali Cates. My firm is providing refreshments for the after-the-viewing event for the Bakers and I’d like to come and see your setup there.”
    “The funeral director is out at the moment but I’m sure it would be fine for you to come on over. Ask for Jennifer. We’re not expecting the body until about one o’clock but the viewing will take place in the Serenity Room. If you arrive after the body, will it freak you out? Family shouldn’t show up until after three.”
    “No. That would be ideal. I mean, I could assess the room and make sure the square footage meets our needs.” I stumbled past that, hoping the ditzy girl wouldn’t be suspicious. “I’ll see you a little past one.” With any luck, the funeral director would not be back when I got there. “Thank you for your cooperation.”
    Oh my God. That’s the kind of reception I get to look forward to in the future when I have a funeral in my own family? I need to start making arrangements now.
    I looked at my watch. I had time to change before I went to the funeral home, put on something more suitable for grave robbing, or body touching. Before taking my bath, I remembered to close the bathroom door all the way so our kitten, Chaos, couldn’t worm his way in and join me in the tub.
    * * * *
    Restful Passages Funeral Home was in a many-turreted white Victorian house with green trim. I’d dressed in slacks and a blazer instead of my favorite tee shirt and jeans so I would blend in with any visitors who might come. At the moment clouds were rolling in from the west, so the sun had disappeared. I should have known today’s warmer-than-normal temps would end in storms. How appropriate for a visit here.
    When I climbed up the stairs and went in, the spacious lobby sat empty. I didn’t see the perky-sounding receptionist or a desk where she might have answered the phone. Surrounding the large room on three sides were four sets of double doors—a set on the right and left, two sets facing me with a hall in the middle. Three of the doors had nametags containing family names, times for viewing, and funeral times.
    A lot of useful information displayed there for anyone to gather—the perfect way for a thief to know when a house would be empty.
    I didn’t see a tag for Marcia so I chose the empty room, on the