Winter's Mourning

by Janice J. Richardson

  “OK,” said Marcia. Cutting through the chapel, Jennifer stopped in her tracks. It was ablaze with flowers, transformed into a garden of beauty. She stood transfigured by the magnificent explosion of colour and scent. Closing her eyes, she felt herself truly relax a little for the first time that day. She allowed herself to be completely in the moment, then took out her phone and photographed it from every angle. She’d give the pictures to the family after the funeral. For a minute she thought about Mr. Wisener and the Osiria roses, and wondered how he was. Mr. Wisener was a wealthy client who lost his son in a skiing accident. He’d ordered several arrangements for his son’s visitation, all Osiria roses. Mr. Wisener did not have visitors; he sat alone in the suite for the entire evening. Jennifer was reminded how she felt when she observed Mr. Wisener mourning alone. It made her think of the young woman on the Parkway. Jennifer wondered again how the distraught girl was faring.

  The Gordon family arrived a few minutes later, a few dozen of them. Their mood was upbeat, some of them had not seen each other for a while. Jennifer introduced them to Marcia and Brent, explaining she’d return at some point during the visitation. The pallbearer’s and family members who were to assist with crowd control were asked to speak to Marcia after they’d been into the suite to pay their respects.

  Jennifer led them to the chapel first, explaining the abundance of flowers necessitated the use of the chapel. They took their time examining and admiring the arrangements. Leading them to the suite she made sure they were satisfied before taking her leave. With minutes to spare she picked up her portfolio and drove to the hospital in St. Catharines.

  Mr. Duncan waited for her near the entrance to Dimitri’s room.

  “Any last minute doubt?”

  “None,” said Jennifer, looking him straight in the eye.

  “Then let’s proceed.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and guided her into the room. Jennifer found his touch reassuring; she was nervous and excited and a little scared.

  Althea jumped to her feet as they entered. “Jennifer,”—she swept her up into a hug—”so good to see you.” Jennifer clung to Althea, appreciating the warmth and love she conveyed. Althea gave her an extra squeeze of reassurance before she let go. She understood what lay before Jennifer in the years ahead. Althea’s hug gave her renewed confidence; she didn’t feel quite so small and vulnerable.

  Althea turned to Dimitri. “See? My Dimitri, he is so much better.”

  Dimitri smiled at his wife. He was looking better in spite of the medical paraphernalia around him. He took Jennifer’s hand, squeezed it and smiled.

  “So good to see you my dear,” he said. “This is the best of days, to see you after Althea tells me what you have done to help.” Jennifer was touched by his warm greeting.

  “I’m honoured that you presented the offer. And I am even more pleased to see you looking so well.”

  “Jennifer and Marcia, such good girls,” said a happy Althea to Mr. Duncan. He looked down at Althea and smiled. A tap at the door signalled the arrival of Dimitri’s lawyer, armed with a sheath of documents. With a no-nonsense, don’t waste my time attitude he asked everyone to be seated and got down to business.

  “Have you made a decision about the offer the Kostopoulos family presented earlier this week?”

  Mr. Duncan’s reply was directed to Dimitri and Althea. “Jennifer and Anne Spencer are pleased to accept your offer Mr. and Mrs. Kostopoulos. There are just a few minor details to discuss.”

  Dimitri made a small sound and Jennifer turned to check on him. He was crying. She recognized that post-op heart patients were often emotionally labile. She also realized Dimitri was letting go of his life’s work; she felt sad for him. Her eyes filled with tears too as he wept. Althea rose, held his hand and wiped his eyes. She was smiling.

  “It is what I wanted. To see you, Bill’s family, take over the funeral home,” Dimitri said. “I will go to Greece a happy man.”

  Smiling, Jennifer wiped her eyes. Uncle Bill would be proud.

  The lawyers agreed to hammer out the details somewhere else, so Jennifer had a few minutes more with Dimitri and Althea. She used the time to let Althea know about the addition of Brent and Desta to the staff at Williams. The timeline for closing was short. Althea agreed to go through Dimitri’s office and the rest of the funeral home to look for personal items.

  As Jennifer prepared to leave, she turned to Dimitri once again and took his hand. “Dimitri, I don’t have words, other than to say it is an honour to carry on your work.” She felt herself choking up. “I’m so happy you and Althea can return to Greece. To see you recovering gives me such joy.”

  Dimitri’s eyes were bright with tears as he kissed the back of her hand.

  Jennifer turned to Althea. “I have to go, thank you so much.”

  Althea swept her up in another hug and Jennifer, although reluctant to leave, left to get back to work, her head spinning with the finality of her decision.

  6

  Prior to dinner that evening Jennifer took Marcia aside. “What do you think, is Brent a good fit for us?”

  Marcia tucked her hair behind her ear and gave the question some thought. “In my opinion, he’ll be perfect to run Williams Funeral Home and be part of our team. He could teach us a thing or two with his experience. The visitation went well. He was able to monitor everything going on and he’s very personable.”

  Jennifer nodded. She had the same impression.

  “Well, then, we’ll offer him the position over dinner. It will be a quick meal for me, I want to catch up on a few things. It’s been a very long day.”

  “I’m sorry Jen, there was no time to do the transfer for you, it was just too busy.”

  “I’ll get to later, no worries.”

  Marcia’s text cheeped. “It’s Ryan. He’ll be joining us.”

  “Oh good.” Jennifer was happy for Marcia but hopeful that Ryan wouldn’t mention what had happened earlier in the day. She wasn’t ready to discuss it until she had time to check the handwriting. “Does Brent know?”

  “I’ll tell him right now,” Marcia said happily.

  Elaine remained at the funeral home while Marcia and Jennifer completed their interview with Brent. Desta had offered to come and assist with the evening visitation to help share the work load.

  At the restaurant Marcia, Jennifer, and Brent took a seat. Jennifer got right down to business.

  “Ryan will be joining us in a few minutes Brent, so I’d like to take this opportunity to offer you the position at Williams Funeral Home. It means you’ll be managing the firm under my supervision. I’ll prepare an offer of employment later this evening and email it to you.”

  Brent looked thoughtful. “Of course, I need to discuss it with my wife. Tomorrow I’ll meet with a realtor to look at houses in the area. You should hear from me, at the latest, the day after tomorrow.”

  “That would be more than acceptable,” said Jennifer.

  “This evening I’d be quite happy to assist with visitation,” said Brent. “I know you have another call. The parking lot was a job in itself with so many visitors. Both sides of the street were full.”

  “Thank you,” said Jennifer. “We appreciate the help. Remind me to get the safety vests from the garage, the people on parking lot duty should be wearing them. I forgot earlier.”

  She turned to Marcia. “I’m going to leave the three of you as soon as I’ve eaten, to get the transfer done.” Marcia nodded, somewhat distracted. She was watching for Ryan, who chose that minute to walk into the restaurant. She waved at him. He approached the group with a smile on his face, happy to see her.

  Marcia made the introductions. The two men shook hands. It didn’t take long before the conversation flowed freely. Brent was comfortable with the Detective Sergeant. Jennifer contributed a little to the chatter, her mind was on the rest of the day and the tasks ahead. As soon as she completed her meal she rose.

  “If you’ll excuse me, it’s back to work,” she sai
d politely. She had given Marcia the credit card earlier to cover dinner. Ryan caught her eye and gave a slight nod.

  “Would you excuse me for a minute?” he said to Marcia and Brent. “I need a quick word with Jennifer. I’ll just walk her to the car.”

  Once outside he was all business.

  “The man who handed you the note was caught on a security camera outside City Hall. They’re looking at that now. His vehicle appears to have been rented, the windows blackened.”

  Jennifer felt a twinge of fear. Who would go to so much trouble to hide their identity? Why? Travis had to be behind it.

  “Earlier today when I spoke with the Major Crimes Unit I got the impression that Travis may have been Mr. Mitchell’s boss, not the other way around. They didn’t say that directly, that unit tends to keep things close to the chest. One of our team suggested that possibility weeks ago and I debunked it. The fact that they are concerned about your safety is enough for me.”

  He took Jennifer’s arm in an effort to reinforce his next statement. She looked up at him and he held her gaze. “This is important. You cannot be alone until Travis is in custody. You’ll be getting a roommate, one of our people.”

  Jennifer stared at him in disbelief.

  “I’m off to do a transfer right now. All by myself. How am I supposed to do my job? Marcia hasn’t told you this because it isn’t final but I’m in the process of purchasing Williams Funeral Home. I can’t run back and forth between funeral homes, and on calls, with a sidekick trailing behind me every minute.”

  He was clearly surprised at her announcement that she was purchasing another funeral home. He let go of her arm.

  “That’s not very good timing,” he grumbled.

  “Life isn’t always timed well.” Jennifer felt her annoyance building.

  “Neither is death,” snapped the DS. “Preventing your death is my responsibility right now.” He shook his head in disgust. “Stand right there. Don’t move.” He pulled out his phone. “Ready Ziegler? Be at the funeral home in five.”

  He ran his fingers distractedly through his hair, messing it up. It made him look boyish and for a second Jennifer remembered her response to seeing him for the first time. It didn’t matter now, Marcia had his heart.

  “Go straight to the funeral home. Detective Constable Ziegler is your new roommate and bodyguard. You’ll do what she tells you to. Your life could depend on it.”

  Jennifer felt like stamping her foot and shouting at him. She wanted to cry or yell or lash out with frustration and anger and fear. Instead, refusing to act out her emotional turmoil in front of him, she turned abruptly, got into her car, and with a little more force than necessary, slammed car door and drove off.

  Once out of sight of Detective Sergeant Gillespie she pounded the steering wheel with her fist, her eyes stinging with tears. She knew her reaction was based more on fear than the need for control. Now the staff would have to be on guard too. It wasn’t fair to drag them into it. If she hadn’t found the cash in the casket it might have been buried with the deceased and none of this would have happened.

  Detective Constable Ziegler better get used to wearing a dark suit, she thought meanly. She works for me now.

  As Jennifer pulled into the funeral home lot she noticed Detective Ziegler standing beside a car wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. Jennifer ignored her, got out and once again slammed her car door. She looked at her new roommate, turned her back and walked into the garage, slamming that door behind her. Overcome with emotion, she folded her arms, crouched down and broke down into heavy sobs.

  She didn’t hear the garage door open but she did feel a gentle touch on her shoulder.

  “Jennifer, I’m Sue Ziegler. We met briefly earlier. Detective Sergeant Gillespie didn’t handle that very well.” She chuckled. “He called me a minute ago to apologize. Although he is angry and concerned, he should not have taken it out on you. It shouldn’t have happened.” She helped Jennifer to her feet and gave her a hug. Jennifer, her emotions spent, did not pull away from Sue’s reassuring gesture.

  “This situation isn’t your fault. You don’t deserve to go through this. I promise you I’ll let you know what’s going on with the investigation as soon as I know, and I’ll do as little as possible to interrupt your daily routine. This is the first time I’ve been asked to keep such close surveillance. If I get in your way or on your nerves, just tell me.”

  Jennifer pulled a tissue from a nearby box and blew her nose. She didn’t trust herself to respond to the unexpected kindness.

  “Then let’s get going, we’re off to the hospital to pick up someone’s mother,” said Jennifer. She pulled a black trench coat off the row of coat hooks and tossed it at Sue.

  Sue nodded. Wordlessly she donned the long coat, got into the van and drove to the hospital. Jennifer didn’t ask for help, she didn’t volunteer information, no words were spoken. The transfer of the mother of the two sons she’d met with earlier in the day was completed in silence.

  Jennifer’s mind raced over the current turn of events: a note, a roommate, a new funeral home, a new employee. It was too much to process all at once.

  It’ll be a cold day in hell before I let you get the better of me Travis, Jennifer thought as she drove back to the funeral home. This mother’s life had value. Clients’ and visitors’ and families’ lives have value. You won’t scare me into quitting or hiding.

  At the funeral home Jennifer pulled the stretcher from the van and wheeled it to the prep room door. She stopped and turned to Sue.

  “It’s up to you whether or not you come in. Confidentiality is a given, any conversation behind the walls of this room and in the funeral home will be respectful. No coming or going in or out of the prep room unless it’s an emergency.”

  Sue nodded. “Understood.” She followed Jennifer into the prep room.

  Sue must have had her phone on vibrate, Jennifer saw her answer it while she worked. To her surprise Sue didn’t try to hide the conversation from Jennifer.

  “Ziegler. Yes, sir, I expect we’ll be in the funeral home for the evening. Yes, sir, I’ll check in later tonight.”

  Sue disconnected the call. “Detective Sergeant Gillespie is checking up on us. That man takes his job seriously.” She smiled.

  Jennifer felt it was time to stop being so recalcitrant and open up a bit. “How long have you worked on the force?” she asked.

  “Ten years. Four as a Detective Constable.”

  “If this is your first assignment as a bodyguard then I guess you don’t deal with organized crime very much.”

  “No. We see evidence of it in our job all the time. It’s the provincial police or RCMP that handle most of it.” She looked at Jennifer. “I do know that Travis may be in the area. The way the note was presented to you and how it was worded concerns us.”

  “Why?” Jennifer asked, more curious than scared.

  “It read like a well-educated individual wrote it.”

  “Or a bully who uses the internet,” responded Jennifer. She was actually relieved to be able to discuss the situation.

  “Could be. The major crime unit was closing in on Travis. He slipped right through their grasp.”

  “Inside job?”

  Sue nodded. “That was my first thought. No proof though.”

  “Did you bring a suitcase?” asked Jennifer.

  “It’s in the car.”

  “When I am done here, I can take you upstairs and you can settle in.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting Grimsby.” Sue smiled.

  “How did you know I had a cat?”

  “It’s no secret around the station that Detective Sergeant Gillespie is in love with your friend Marcia. He’s mentioned Grimsby once or twice. He’s also mentioned the response you got from one of the officers when you mentioned Grimsby in the interview with the OPP.”

  Of course he would, thought Jennifer. They talk about each others lives at work just like Marcia and I do. Maybe this isn’t going to b
e too bad after all.

  “We’ll have to explain your presence to the staff tomorrow,” said Jennifer. “Will you do it?”

  “Absolutely. There will be a few extra mourners at the funeral tomorrow as well. The OPP is sending some undercover officers hoping to see if any of Travis’ people show up.”

  “Travis has people?”

  “The more I hear about this situation, the murder of Mr. Mitchell, the pit boss and Jorge, the more I’m convinced that Travis was behind the whole operation. The pit boss was just a small operative.”

  “Does the rest of your team agree?”

  “I brought it up once, it was discredited. It’s based on intuition, not fact. I work with a bunch of guys who stick with facts.” She looked Jennifer straight in the eye. “When you interviewed with the OPP officers, the one’s whose fictitious names began with ‘D’, you based some of your information on your intuition. They probably didn’t take it seriously. Detective Sergeant Gillespie did for once. You were right.”

  Jennifer couldn’t help but laugh. That interview had been a turning point for her, she’d had the courage of her convictions and didn’t let the men intimidate her. She was also starting to feel comfortable with Detective Constable Ziegler, although Jennifer knew everything she said could potentially get back to Sue’s superiors, she still let her guard down a bit.

  “Empathetic people tend to be intuitive,” said Jennifer. “I never negate intuition until facts prove themselves.”

  “Or conversely. Facts do negate intuition. There is room for both in my job and yours.” They chatted comfortably for a few more minutes.

  “Done,” said Jennifer. She waited while Sue retrieved her suitcase and took her upstairs.

  Once Sue and Grimsby were acquainted, Jennifer turned to go back downstairs.

  “One more thing,” said Sue. “Don’t go outside unless someone is with you, not even to check on the parking. Here’s my number, put it on your phone.” She read it off as Jennifer entered and confirmed it.