Christmas Corpse Caper Read Online Free PDF Page B

chest.
    “What are you doing with this?” I reached for the jacket. “Arlene, please let me put it back on your dad.”
    Arlene jerked it away from my reach. “No. I need this.”
    “Why?” I asked.
    “Because this is mine. I’m entitled to it.” Her mouth formed a pout.
    “Fine. Let’s have Susan bring another jacket over when she comes to get you. And you can keep this one.” I felt like Arlene acted like a child, but then again, the death of a parent caused some people to revert to their childhood.
    “No. Don’t call her,” Arlene shouted, her whole body shaking.
    “But I have to.”
    “You can’t. I beg of you. Don’t call her,” Arlene pleaded, placing her hand on my arm.
    “Okay. Then give it to me, and I’ll fix your dad up. We’ll just act like none of this ever happened.” I moved closer to her.
    “You can’t have it.” She stepped back.
    “Okay, what’s going on? If you don’t tell me, I’ll have to inform Susan or the police.”
    Arlene walked over to a chair and slumped in it. I sat beside her.
    “This is my inheritance.” Arlene folded the jacket in her lap.
    “Like I said, keep it and I’ll get Susan to bring another one for your dad’s viewing tomorrow.”
    “She can’t know about this. After me being cut out of the will because of my betting, she expects me to mess up again. I’ve been in Gamblers Anonymous and haven’t placed a bet in a whole year, but neither Dad or Susan knew that.”
    “So, let me get his straight. You were cut out of the will because you gambled?”
    “Yes, I was addicted. Not just a gambler, a degenerate gambler.” Arlene fidgeted in her chair. Her voice came out low and quiet. “I’m not proud of it. He was so careful with his money and afraid I’d throw it all away. He just couldn’t bear it if that happened.”
    “But you said you’re done gambling.” I put a hand on her shoulder. “That’s great.”
    “Yes.” Arlene ran her hand across her lap.
    “Okay, then why not tell Susan?” I asked.
    “She wouldn’t believe me because I’ve relapsed before.” Arlene turned the coat over. “But I won’t this time. And I only want this so I can pay for my kids’ college.”
    “With a jacket? How?” I touched the garment's sleeve.
    “Here. Look.” She pulled a nail file out of her purse, and then ran it along a shoulder seam. As she wiggled the file along the edge, the seam gave way. She dug her fingers in and removed three small crystal clear rocks.
    “Whoa.” My heart flipped. “Diamonds?”
    “Yes, and I think every seam has some valuable gems as well. These are worth… Well, a lot.” Arlene held the diamonds in her open palm.
    “Then why would Susan choose that jacket to bury him in?”
    “Because it was his favorite. He kept it in the back of his closet and never wore it. He always told us it was priceless to him.”
    “No kidding.”
    “I thought he must have something hidden away. That’s why I wanted to be alone with him earlier, I’m ashamed to say. And when I felt his jacket seams they were full of small bumps. That’s when I knew I had to come back and get the jacket without Susan knowing. I didn’t think she’d ever understand without ever having kids to raise and support.”
    “Why don’t you try to explain it to her, like you just did to me? I’m sure she’d understand.”
    “Remember, I’m cut out of the will.” Arlene closed her hand.
    “Oh. Yeah.” I felt bad for her. After all it was Christmas. “Maybe, she’ll have the holiday spirit of forgiveness?”
    “Maybe. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” Arlene gave a faint smile.
    “It sure would.”
    Knock. Knock.
    Joe peeked his head inside the door. “Is everything okay in here?”
    I looked at Arlene and whispered, “You need to get this taken care of with your sister. If not, I have to deal with her or the police.”
    “Fine.” She sighed.
    “So all is good here? Is there anything I can do?” Joe offered.
    “Can you call Susan