Winter's Mourning

by Janice J. Richardson

  “OK.” Jennifer pocketed her phone. This time she’d pay attention to that request. “Make yourself at home.”

  Walking through the funeral home, Jennifer noted that Elaine and Desta had done the cleaning. It saved her energy—she just didn’t have the time to pitch in. With a few minutes before the family was due to come in she went into her office, drew up the offer of employment and after proofing it carefully, emailed it to Brent.

  With some apprehension, Jennifer tapped on the photo of the note she’d received earlier in the day. She stared at the words, still trying to process the fact that someone wanted to kill her. That someone could be Travis. She rose slowly and hesitated as she opened the filing cabinet, her anxiety mounting. She then pulled a couple of files that Travis had done. Placing them on the desk, she sank into her chair, her heart pounding.

  Slowly she opened two of the files and laid them side by side. She methodically shuffled through the files looking for handwritten notes, then willed herself to look at the photo. It was a match. Travis had written the note. Jennifer flipped to the photo of the slip of paper found near the selection room the night Jorge broke into the funeral home.

  Shaking, she pulled out her phone and hit dial for Detective Constable Ziegler, not trusting herself to stand and go upstairs. Sue answered on the first ring.

  “You might want to see this. I’m in my office off the lounge.”

  “Coming.” Sue arrived in less than a minute. It felt longer as the realization that Travis wanted her dead washed over her.

  Fighting to keep her voice under control, Jennifer explained to Sue what she’d done about the note.

  “Smart thinking. I’m not sure I would have had the presence of mind to take a picture.”

  “Thanks, but there is more.” She showed Sue the photo of the slip of paper with the casket number that had been found on the floor after the break-in. Had she checked it against Travis’ handwriting before, Jorge might still be alive.

  “The car, that Taurus Travis used to drive hasn’t been found yet?” asked Jennifer.

  “No. Not yet.”

  “Then this might help.” Jennifer showed Sue the picture of the casket number. She flipped back and forth between the two photos and checked them against the file.

  It matched. Travis was a murderer twice, not once. He’d killed Mr. Mitchell, the casino pit boss, hid the money in the casket, then killed Jorge, one of his drug runners, after trying to frame him for the murder of Mr. Mitchell.

  Sue pulled out her phone and called Detective Sergeant Gillespie. Once again Sue didn’t hide any of the conversation from Jennifer. In fact, she put it on speaker phone.

  “I’ll be in after all the visitors have gone tonight,” Ryan said. “In the meantime I’ll brief our team.” He disconnected abruptly.

  Sue gave Jennifer a high five. “You have a knack for this,” she said. “No one even thought to check the first note against Travis’ handwriting, let alone the second one.” But then she grew serious. “We have to find him Jennifer. That was a large sum of money in the casket. He blames you, he blamed Jorge, he blames everyone but himself.”

  “How much was it?” asked Jennifer, somewhat pleased with herself for thinking of checking the files.

  “Close to seven-hundred and fifty thousand. A sum like that hurt his organization. People like Travis and those who work with him, or for him ...” She paused and looked at Jennifer, concern in her voice and eyes, “for him being the operative words now. They’ll stop at nothing to get their revenge.”

  “If that’s the case, then why send a note at all? Does he think we’re stupid?”

  “Good question. I know a little bit about criminal psychology. Sending the note could be a form of harassment or a ‘look what you made me do’ response. Sometimes it’s insecurity. Over time some of these guys get careless and feel invincible. They’re taunting law enforcement and their potential victim.”

  “Sometimes they win,” said Jennifer. “Jorge was just a pawn in Travis’ game.”

  Sue nodded. “I think I’ll stay downstairs for the evening. I’ll just run upstairs and change.” Before Sue could turn to go up to the apartment, Marcia and Brent entered the lounge. They did not yet know about Sue. Under her breath, Jennifer told Sue that Brent was a potential employee and didn’t want him to hear what was going on.

  “Understood.” When Sue went upstairs to change, Jennifer told Marcia that she had extra help for the evening and would introduce her to Sue later.

  With a few hours left before they closed up the funeral home for the night, Jennifer was determined to make it business as usual. It was quite a bit more than business as usual though—the funeral home was packed. The parking lot was so full, Sue put in a call to the station to send over a few patrol cars to help with traffic lined up down the street waiting for parking.

  “It helps to have friends in high places,” Jennifer said to Sue, smiling. Sue didn’t leave Jennifer’s side the whole evening: scanning the crowd, helping direct visitors, checking the supplies—working with Jennifer as if she were a full-time employee.

  It was well after 9:30 before the family left for the evening. The service was to be held the next afternoon at the cathedral, Jennifer reviewed the pick-up times for the limos, and the service and graveside details with the family. Opening the door, she followed them outside and said goodnight.

  “I hope nothing goes wrong this time,” said Jennifer to Sue as she the door. Sue immediately headed to the garage to see if it was locked securely, then did a complete walk-through of the funeral home.

  “This time?” asked Sue as they checked everything. Jennifer told her about the Werther’s graveside service and the three down in a graveyard call. Sue burst out laughing as Jennifer got further into the story. Jennifer found herself joining in. Althea and Anne were right; it was humorous and she could laugh about it now.

  “Should the cemetery manager be nearby I’ll have trouble looking him in the eye tomorrow,” said Sue, as she wiped her eyes. “The man doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. You’ll be a major businessperson in this area and he messed up big time with that comment.”

  Sue’s phone buzzed.

  “Detective Sergeant Gillespie is here, I’ll let him in.”

  “I’ll say goodbye to Brent and let him out. Can you hold off until he leaves?”

  “Yep.” Sue started texting.

  Jennifer straightened her shoulders and buttoned her jacket. She was determined to present a professional demeanour. Brent would find out about Travis soon enough; she first wanted him to accept the position to manage Williams Funeral Home. Jennifer knew the staff would have a few questions about Sue. She would deal with that shortly, after Brent left.

  She found Marcia and Brent in the lounge. “Before you leave Marcia, I have a few things we need to take care of.” said Jennifer. “Brent, we can’t thank you enough for all your help today. You were a godsend.” She pulled an envelope with his cheque from her pocket and gave it to him.

  Brent rose, accepted the envelope and thanked both of them. “I will be in touch,” he said. Jennifer walked him to the front door, aware that Sue was in the front office with Elaine and Desta.

  “Brent, could you walk Desta to her car?” Jennifer asked.

  “Certainly, my pleasure,” said Brent and the two of them left together.

  “Thanks Desta, thanks Brent,” Jennifer said with a smile as she closed and locked the door.

  “Elaine, can you spare a few minutes for a quick staff meeting?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll meet you and Elaine in the lounge,” Sue said as she walked to the garage to let Detective Sergeant Gillespie in.

  “What’s up?” asked a puzzled Marcia when Elaine and Jennifer entered.

  “I think I’ll let Ryan and Sue explain.”

  Ryan barely glanced at Marcia as he entered the lounge and sat down. Sue sat next to Jennifer.

  “Marcia, Elaine, this is Detective Constable Ziegler.
She’ll be staying here for a while,” said Ryan.

  “Call me Sue,” responded the Detective Constable. “For now, I will appear to be one of the staff. My job is to ensure your safety.”

  “Why?” asked Marcia sharply.

  “Jennifer was the recipient of a death threat today,” Ryan said.

  “Not again!” Elaine cried. One look at Elaine’s face was enough for Jennifer.

  “I think the best course of action at this point would be to send Elaine and Marcia to Williams to work until this is over,” Jennifer said to both Detectives.

  Ryan looked thoughtful. “I hadn’t thought of that. Good idea.”

  “I concur,” said Sue, nodding.

  “Well I don’t concur,” said Marcia. Jennifer knew Marcia well enough to know her ire was rising and she wasn’t going to take orders.

  “No arguments,” Jennifer said firmly. She looked at the two of them. “Elaine, I’d be much happier if you were at Williams until this is over. You too Marcia.”

  “I feel bad,” said Elaine. “I worked with Travis for the three months before you came Jennifer. If I’d paid more attention maybe I might have known he was up to something and none of this would have happened.”

  Detective Sergeant Gillespie cut in. “Elaine, people like Travis fly under the radar for years. You couldn’t have known. He’d still be under the radar, so to speak, if he’d not left that money in the casket. Marcia, as Jennifer said, there will be no arguments. Until Travis is caught I’d like you and Elaine to have minimal contact with Jennifer.”

  Marcia opened her mouth to protest then snapped it shut. Jennifer knew she and Ryan would have a discussion about the situation later. Marcia could be pretty stubborn.

  “I will be walking you both to your cars now,” said Ryan. Elaine rose and hugged Jennifer. She was shaking. So was Jennifer.

  “I’m sorry, Elaine.” Elaine squeezed her tighter.

  “What about the funeral tomorrow?” asked Marcia.

  “Business as usual. You may work it Marcia,” said Ryan, in a somewhat placating tone.

  Ryan took Elaine out first, waited until she drove away, then came back for Marcia. Jennifer went to the chapel, peeked out the window and watched them talking by the car. Marcia was clearly upset. She saw Ryan take Marcia by her arms and move in for a kiss. It was touching; Marcia was putty in his hands. Or maybe it was the other way around she mused, feeling a bit sheepish for spying on them. She backed away from the window and returned to the lounge.

  After seeing Elaine and Marcia off, Ryan came back in and sat down wearily. Jennifer could see the stress etched on his face, his eyes were puffy and his skin appeared sallow.

  “We need to come up with a plan,” said Jennifer. “Something that will lure Travis out of hiding.”

  “No plans. No ‘we’. This is not something you need to be involved in,” said Ryan.

  Jennifer looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “You might want to reconsider that. Travis is a threat and needs to be in custody, correct?”

  Sue nodded, Ryan just scowled at her.

  “And I’m involved, and not by choice. I’d prefer to keep you in the loop if I do have an idea. You’re the boss, you make the decisions. I listen to my families when they want to get involved and do my best to facilitate. Sometimes that isn’t possible, most of the time it can be done. I’d appreciate it if you’d at least hear me out and respect that I’m more than capable of keeping a confidence and, as a potential victim, of knowing my skills and limits.

  Sue smiled to herself as Jennifer continued.

  “It’s late, tomorrow’s going to be a very busy day. We can’t repair the world tonight. Let’s get some rest. If you want to, you may take a photo of some of Travis’ writing so you can compare it to the note with the casket number and the note I was given. I’m sure you won’t mind if I make sure nothing confidential is in your photo.”

  Jennifer walked toward her office, Ryan pushed himself out of his chair and joined her. Jennifer stood by as he took the necessary photos and checked to ensure there was no information that could relate it to one of the families. Since he didn’t have the originals in hand, Jennifer showed him the photos from her phone. His face looked set in stone. He didn’t flinch as he compared them.

  Detective Sergeant Gillespie nodded and without another word walked to the garage to let himself out. Sue followed and locked the door behind him. Jennifer waited at the bottom of the stairs to walk up with Sue.

  Once they were in the apartment, and Sue had given Grimsby a treat, Jennifer scooped him up and cuddled him. She looked at Sue.

  “I’ll be taking a self-defence course, starting ASAP. Travis is cunning. We don’t know who works for him, it could be anyone. I’m 5’ 2”—I need all the help I can get.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. You’re fit, having followed you around for half a day I’m exhausted. Add a few self-defence skills to that and you should be able to defend yourself more than adequately.”

  “I’m exhausted too. It was a long day. I’m going to have a bath and head to bed. Busy day tomorrow. I’d like to be off to the crematorium by nine.”

  “I can look at getting one of the officers who teaches self-defence to train you,” said Sue. “It might be a good idea for me to take the course again too.”

  “OK. Good night. Coming Grimsby?” Grimsby looked between Sue and his mistress, and lay down on the back of the couch. Half an hour later, when Jennifer was in bed running over the events of the day in her head, she felt him jump up and settle in for the night. In spite of her fear and apprehension about Travis, and her concern about Winter, fatigue won out and she fell into a dreamless sleep.

  7

  Jennifer rose early, the smell of rich coffee greeting her. She made her bed, brushed her teeth, got dressed and fixed her makeup and hair, moving through her routine by rote. She met Sue in the kitchen.

  “Do you always get up so early?” asked Jennifer as she yawned.

  “Hello. Can’t help it. I’m a morning person.”

  Jennifer was pleased. Morning people were her kind of people. She had half a day’s work done before her night-owl friends were crawling out of bed. ‘Course, she pooped out early in the evening when her friends were ready to make a night of it.

  Over breakfast Sue brought up a point from the discussion of the night before. “I was thinking about how the police could set a trap for Travis. He’s angry and vengeful. He could make mistakes.”

  “Or not. The only mistake he made was when Jorge came back here to ‘find’ the money. Travis was trying to come into the selection room when the police were locked out. He should have let them in immediately once he knew where Jorge and I were. Had he not done that, the OPP would still think he was working with them. No one saw him kill Jorge. Maybe it wasn’t him, maybe it was one of his henchmen.” Jennifer shook her head. “I’m sure we will come up with something though. In the meantime, I could use your help with another mystery.”

  “I’ll do what I can. Isn’t one mystery enough?”

  Jennifer save a weak smile. “This situation needs all the help we can give it. By we, I mean you and me and a Chaplain.”

  “I’m intrigued, go on.”

  Jennifer told Sue about finding Winter Clarke. Sue listened intently. When Jennifer finished, Sue sat back.

  “I’ll do all I can. I’ve worked with the Chaplain’s office a few times and I’ve met Regina. From what you’ve just told me Winter does need all the support we can give her.”

  “Thank you. That’s a huge relief. Between the three of us, we might find out who she seems to be grieving and why.”

  “The shelter can only keep her for six weeks?”

  Jennifer nodded. “At some point this morning I want to connect with Regina, we plan on visiting Winter regularly. Hopefully I’ll be free tomorrow. I want to go back to the Falls and check out the initials on the tree. It’s a shot in the dark, but better than nothing. Perhaps we’ll have an answer before she h
as to leave the shelter.”

  “I can try to locate her last known address,” said Sue. “And someone who knew her.”

  Sue rose and looked out the window in the kitchen. She then went to the other side of the apartment and looked out.

  “You have a pretty good view of both streets and your parking lot from here. And when it’s quiet outside, like right now, you could hear a car pull in. Helpful.”

  Jennifer nodded. “Exactly. This area is quite peaceful, rarely is there much noise. If one of the neighbours is snow blowing or mowing the lawn six houses down, I can hear it. My plan is to put in a security system eventually so I can monitor the front and back door on my laptop, up here and in my office downstairs.” She put the dishes in the sink and started washing them. Sue picked up a tea towel, dried them, and asked Jennifer which cupboard to put them in. It felt like having Anne beside her. As twins, they didn’t have to communicate verbally, they intuitively knew what the other one was going to do. In no time the kitchen was tidy.

  “Let’s go to the crematorium,” Jennifer said as she rinsed the last of the bubbles down the drain. Then it dawned on her. “Wait a minute, I can’t go. There’s no one to stay here. Now what?”

  She puzzled it through and decided that Jeff, if he was feeling better and back at work, could do the crematorium run instead. If he was still ill, then Marcia would have to do it. It isn’t rocket science, she told herself. You’ll just have to learn to utilize everyone until both funeral homes are at full staff.

  “We can take the flowers over to the cathedral this morning instead,” said Jennifer. “It’s not far so it won’t take long. We can put the flower trays in the transfer vehicle. I’ll see when Jeff or Marcia can do the transfer and work around it. I dropped off our funeral suits at the cleaners the other day, Marcia might be able to swing by and pick them up.”

  “I could start vacuuming and cleaning if that’s OK,” said Sue.

  “Really? That’s not necessary.”

  “Honestly, I enjoy cleaning. I do my best thinking when I clean.”