Sidney Sheldon Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Look—you have enough on your mind. I’ll make the arrangements for you. Everything will be set within two days.”
    “Oh. I—I thank you. Thank you very—” Her voice choked up and the connection was broken.
    Earl Greenburg sat there a long time, thinking about Diane Stevens and the anguish she was going through. Then he went to work cutting red tape.
     
    T HE DALTON MORTUARY was located on the east side of Madison Avenue. It was an impressive two-story building with the facade of a southern mansion. Inside, the decor was tasteful and understated, with soft lighting and whispers of pale curtains and drapes.
    Diane said to the receptionist, “I have an appointment with Mr. Jones. Diane Stevens.”
    “Thank you.”
    The receptionist spoke into a phone, and moments later the manager, a gray-haired, pleasant-faced man, came out to greet Diane.
    “I’m Ron Jones. We spoke on the phone. I know how difficult everything is at a time like this, Mrs. Stevens, and our job is to take the burden off you. Just tell me what you want and we will see that your wishes are carried out.”
    Diane said uncertainly, “I—I’m not even sure what to ask.”
    Jones nodded. “Let me explain. Our services include a casket, a memorial service for your friends, a cemetery plot, and the burial.” He hesitated. “From what I read of your husband’s death in the newspapers, Mrs. Stevens, you’ll probably want a closed casket for the memorial service, so—”
    “No!”
    Jones looked at her in surprise. “But—”
    “I want it open. I want Richard to—to be able to see all his friends, before he…” Her voice trailed off.
    Jones was studying her sympathetically. “I see. Then if I maymake a suggestion, we have a cosmetician who does excellent work where”—he said tactfully—“it’s needed. Will that be all right?”
    Richard would hate it, but— “Yes.”
    “There’s just one thing more. We’ll need the clothes you want your husband to be buried in.”
    She looked at him in shock. “The—” Diane could feel the cold hands of a stranger violating Richard’s naked body, and she shivered.
    “Mrs. Stevens?”
    I should dress Richard myself. But I couldn’t bear to see him the way he is. I want to remember—
    “Mrs. Stevens?”
    Diane swallowed. “I hadn’t thought about—” Her voice was strangled. “I’m sorry.” She was unable to go on.
    He watched her stumble outside and hail a taxi.
     
    W HEN DIANE RETURNED to her apartment, she walked into Richard’s closet. There were two racks filled with his suits. Each outfit held a treasured memory. There was the tan suit Richard had been wearing the night they met at the art gallery. I like your curves. They have the delicacy of a Rossetti or a Manet. Could she let go of that suit? No.
    Her fingers touched the next one. It was the light gray sport jacket Richard had worn to the picnic, when they had been caught in the rain.
    Your place or mine?
    This isn’t just a one-night stand.
    I know.
    How could she not keep it?
    The pinstriped suit was next. You like French food. I know a great French restaurant….
    The navy blazer…the suede jacket…Diane wrapped the arms of a blue suit around herself and hugged it. I could never let any of thesego. Each of them was a cherished remembrance. “I can’t.” Sobbing, she grabbed a suit at random and fled.
    The following afternoon, there was a message on Diane’s voice mail: “Mrs. Stevens, this is Detective Greenburg. I wanted to let you know that everything here has been cleared. I’ve talked to the Dalton Mortuary. You’re free to go ahead with whatever plans you want to make….” There was a slight pause. “I wish you well…. Good-bye.”
    Diane called Ron Jones at the mortuary. “I understand that my husband’s body has arrived there.”
    “Yes, Mrs. Stevens. I already have someone taking care of the cosmetics, and we’ve received the clothes you sent. Thank you.”
    “I thought—would this coming