Same Old Truths Read Online Free PDF Page A

coughing fit to subside before he spoke. “Sorry about that. Listen. Is there any way you’d be able to work the Campbell viewing this evening? I have to pick up a body at the airport. I can’t get a hold of Uncle O, so I have to go myself.”
    Owen Salinger was Ed’s uncle. He’d been helping out at the mortuary since his retirement from the Post Office five years earlier. Whenever there was a death call, Uncle O was usually dispatched to the hospital, nursing home or private residence to pick up the deceased and transport it back to the mortuary. He wasn’t officially on the payroll, so he didn’t feel obligated to always be available.
    “Hmmm,” Kay said. “It shouldn’t be a problem. I just have to let the girls know.”
    “Thanks. You know I wouldn’t ask unless it was absolutely necessary.” Ed, perpetually in a hurry, spoke over his shoulder as he made his exit through the display room.
    Ed Salinger was not only one of the best-looking men Kay knew, but also the busiest. In addition to successfully operating a prosperous business, Ed was an active member of the community, sitting on boards and chairing committees in a host of civic organizations. In his spare time he played tennis, coached pee wee baseball, and was a starting forward on an inter-city basketball team. Kay thought it was a good thing Ed was single, because she couldn’t imagine any woman who’d be willing to be shoehorned into his long to-do list. Though, from time to time, she’d certainly entertained the idea herself.
    Kay thought about Ed’s request. This was Monday, which meant Cory had a 7:00 p.m. appointment with her therapist. Here was an occasion when she was going to need Dave’s help. She felt her breath coming a little faster. Unlike the stupid excuses she’d contrived in the past to call him when she missed him, now she had a valid reason to make contact. She was curious to see if he was going to make good on their agreement.
    Mr. McNab apologized profusely for following Kay back to the mortuary, but he had come at Emily’s insistence. Seems she didn’t want the slightest detail overlooked.
    It didn’t take long to get Mr. McNab squared away and Kay headed back to her office determined to speed the bizarre Burleigh duo on their way. Fortunately, they had already emerged from her office and were headed toward the rear exit when Kay met up with them.
    “I hate to rush off like this, Dahling, but my poor Tony missed his breakfast and I’m afraid he’s feeling a little peckish,” Evelyn said in a thin, stressed voice.
    Whadda ya know…she got one righ t.
    Kay was tempted to say, “Don’t you mean prickish?” but instead said, “I’m worried about you, Evelyn. Are you going to be ok?” Kay was sincerely concerned - not about Evelyn’s impending murder, but about the emotional abuse she was suffering at the hands of her browbeating baked-potato of a son.
    Ever the big brassy dame, Evelyn jutted out her chin and defiantly said, “Que sera, sera, Dahling. I have peace of mind knowing Tony won’t have to worry about my final wishes. I’ve taken care of everything.”
    “So there won’t be any changes?” Kay asked, knowing in a year of monthly reviews, Evelyn had yet to alter a single detail of her final disposition.
    Much to Kay’s surprise Evelyn responded, albeit sheepishly. “Well, actually, I do have one. When I opened the folder it tore in half. Would you mind giving me a new one?”
    “I’d be happy to,” Kay replied.
    She walked them to the door and said her goodbyes. As she made her way back to her office, she passed the hallway window just in time to see something strange streak past. When she stopped to get a better look, she couldn’t believe her eyes. It was Tony, running in a full sprint toward Evelyn’s car, apparently answering the call of extra-crispy thighs and drumsticks.
    Kay chuckled, trying to imagine what Evelyn might say about Tony’s uncharacteristic burst of energy: “Dahling,