The Body in the Sleigh Read Online Free PDF Page B

occasion.
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    The empty mug in Faith’s hand was stone-cold and she realized with a start that the room was cold too. Outside, the Christmas sky was still as bright as day. It was very late. Accidental death, or maybe suicide. That’s what the coroner had ruled. In the end, Norah’s mother had decided she couldn’t take a large funeral—the entire island had been in shock at Norah’s death, especially the kids her age, and they would all turn out. A fund had been established in Norah’s memory for more drug abuse prevention andawareness in the schools. Darlene had been quoted in the island paper and the Ellsworth American —“I don’t want any parent to ever go through what I am going through and will for the rest of my life. I would have traded it for my Norah’s if God had let me.”
    God hadn’t, and Faith was reminded of what the late Reverend William Sloane Coffin had said after the accidental death of his twenty-four-year-old son: “God’s heart was the first of all our hearts to break.” As she trudged up the stairs to bed, Faith knew that when Norah slipped away, God’s was the first of all those broken hearts Daisy Sanford mentioned.
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    Miraculously the kids slept until six thirty before jumping on their parents’ bed and urging them to wake up to see what Santa had brought. Ben had managed to keep the secret of the jolly old fellow’s true identity, whether out of real regard for his sister or to save as a weapon for when she did something really outrageous such as entering his room without permission; Faith didn’t care—just let Amy keep believing a while longer. Last night in a whisper before sleep, her daughter had confessed her fear that Santa might not know they were in Maine. He might think they were in their house in Aleford as usual. Faith had reassured her of Saint Nick’s omniscience; he’d always find them.
    They’d had juice, coffee for Tom and especially Faith, plus the cardamom raisin bread that Faith always made for Christmas morning. They were due at the Marshalls’ at noon, so they skipped a big breakfast, just eating some yogurt and fruit, with a sprinkling of granola, after the stockings had been emptied and the gifts beneath the tree opened. The phone rang at nine.
    â€œIt must be Granny and Grandpa!” Ben was up like a flash. It would be Tom’s parents; Faith’s would be involved with church services.
    â€œJust a minute,” she heard him say. It must not be her in-laws. “I’ll get her. Oh, Merry Christmas.”
    Ben handed her the phone and said, “It’s for you, Mom.” He hunched his shoulders and raised his arms. Not somebody whose voice he recognized.
    â€œIt’s Mary Bethany, Faith.”

C HAPTER 2
    â€œI’m so sorry to bother you. You must be in the midst of celebrating with your family.”
    â€œWith children my children’s ages, the celebrating was hours ago and we’re not doing anything special now, Mary.”
    It wasn’t a bother, but as Faith spoke, she was wondering why Mary was calling—and on Christmas morning of all times. They weren’t close friends. In fact, it was her impression that Mary didn’t have many—or any—close friends. The woman was probably alone today, on Christmas, and Faith promptly decided to invite her to join them. There was always room for one more at the Marshalls’ table.
    â€œWe’re going to Nan and Freeman’s for Christmas dinner. Won’t you come with us? I know for a fact that there’s enough food to feed the entire island and then some.”
    â€œThat’s very kind of you, but I’m afraid I can’t get away.”
    â€œOh, Mary, the goats will be all right for a few hours,” Faith said. It suddenly seemed important that she come. Faith didn’t like the idea of Mary all by herself in that isolated house on