The Murder Next Door
Page 22
The reason Mr. Oswald had fired Speckleman was due to yet another one of his botched embalming jobs. This time it had been the body of a local icon who Speckleman had failed to preserve. The man’s name was Mr. Carter. He’d been known throughout the community for his men’s suit store downtown.
Mr. Carter had been very involved in clubs and fundraisers. This is why it was such an outrage for him to look so poorly on the day of his viewing −- not that it wasn’t always an outrage. Because more people were present during Mr. Carter’s service and visitation, there were more people to complain about his appearance. Poor Mr. Carter’s skin had been mottled with dark spots as a result of the poor preservation he’d received. There also had been a foul odor present throughout his service.
To comfort the concerned family and friends of Mr. Carter, Mr. Oswald had been forced to step in and explain gently that Mr. Carter looked the way he did due to the disease he’d suffered from. This explanation wasn’t exactly the truth, but it had sounded far better than saying, ‘Oops! The guy who embalmed him screwed up.’ Mr. Carter had been old, and he had died from cancer. Cancer-related deaths often lead to an accelerated rate of decomposition. Additionally, Mr. Oswald had given the family a significant discount on their funeral costs. Even so, the mishap had made the papers, hurting the funeral home’s reputation.
“I knew that pig eventually would screw himself over,” Jackie remarked. “I’m glad Mr. Oswald made you the new embalming manager. You deserve it.”
Marla thanked her. At last, the universe had exacted its justice on Speckleman. It felt good to take her rightful place as the person in charge of the embalming center at Oswald Funeral Home. Along with the elevated responsibility had come a pay raise.
“Do you think Mr. Oswald will hire a new funeral director to add to the staff?” Marla wondered out loud.
Jackie shrugged. “Who knows? It’s not like Speckleman added much to the team. Plus, now that you’re starting to meet with families for arrangements, I’m not sure he needs another person on staff.” Being the nosy woman that she was, Jackie then changed the topic of conversation to Dane. “Now that you’ve proved yourself innocent of murder, how’s your new loverboy?” she asked shrewdly.
Just the mere mention of Dane’s name had Marla’s stomach feeling warm and fuzzy. Ever since the evening the two of them had shared at his house, Marla had found herself infatuated with the handsome detective.
“He’s utterly delicious,” Marla responded. “I want to hug him for all eternity.”
“I can tell,” Jackie said. “I’ve never seen you this worked up about a guy before.”
“I know. My heart feels like it’s going to explode whenever I’m around him.” Marla sighed. “This must be what true love feels like.”
“Has he told you anything more about Ashley?” Jackie asked.
Once Ashley had been arrested, the story had been released to the press. It was in the Wallsberg paper, as well as the papers of the neighboring communities. Marla’s name officially had been cleared.
“Dane says she’ll be facing a sentence of at least ten years,” Marla replied. “She’ll be going to prison in the city. I feel bad for her. Reggie had treated her like garbage and she hadn’t felt comfortable enough to talk about it with anyone.”
Jackie was shaking her head at Marla as she used her fork to stab the penne pasta she’d brought for lunch.
“How could anyone mistake you as being heartless?” she said. “Ashley violently killed a man, and you feel sorry for her.”
Marla shrugged. “I think it was just Speckleman sullying me for his gain.”
“The joke’s on him!” Jackie blurted out. “I wonder what he’s doing now?”
“Probably smoking,” Marla said.
Jackie guffawed. She almost choked on her mouthful of pasta. “I always did have families complaining that he smelled of smoke. The stinky cigarette isn’t exactly the most comforting of scents.”
“Plus, he drank all the coffee.” This time it was Charlotte to voice her complaint. “Look how much is left now that he’s not chugging it all down.”
The ancient women held the full pot up for Marla and Jackie to see. Charlotte was such a petit woman that the sight of her holding the pot appeared as impressive as an ant carrying a leaf twice its size. She filled her thermos with the coffee. “Thank God that ugly son of a bitch is gone,” Charlotte muttered as she returned to her reception desk at the base of the stairs.
Both Jackie and Marla held their laughter until Charlotte was out of sight. They then snickered as they finished their lunches.
“You know, I think I might visit Ashley in prison one day,” Marla stated as she was washing her dishes.
“What?” Jackie blurted. “That’s crazy. Why would you do that?”
“Because she’ll be lonely,” Marla said.
“She’s a murderer, Marla!” Jackie exclaimed.
“She’s still human,” Marla argued. “Ashley made a terrible mistake by killing Reggie, but the day I caught her fleeing the funeral home, it was clear she was ridden with remorse. Had there been someone she could have talked to back then, I doubt she would have gone through with killing Reggie. The girl needed support. She still needs support. Just think, what will happen when she gets out of prison? Everyone needs a person they can talk to.”
Jackie shrugged. “I guess so.”
“Look at it this way,” Marla continued, “if I’d been stuck here without you, I probably would have strangled Speckleman.”
Now, Jackie seemed to understand. “That’s a good point,” she said.
THE END
Can't get enough of Marla? Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…
How will Ashley be dealing with her time in prison and her emotional trauma?
What will Dane prepare for Ashley in total secrecy and what will her reaction be?
What will be the shocking secret about David’s life that Marla will randomly learn?
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