Linda followed my gaze. "It's a display casket," she explained, as if reading my mind. "Did you know that caskets and not coffins are used in viewings?"
"My father keeps a coffin in his house," I said.
She frowned and drew her eyebrows together, as if trying to make sense of this. "Eddie told me your father was a unique individual. But it makes sense he would use a coffin and not a casket. Coffins are smaller than caskets. They're made narrower at the bottom to save money on wood and are usually cheaper for that reason. Caskets look much nicer for an actual service."
"I never knew this."
Linda shrugged as she stood with her back to the desk and gestured for me to sit in the plush velvet chair in front of her. "Neither did I until Eddie told me." She let out a long, ragged breath. "That man knew everything about the funeral business."
"Tell me about the thefts." I hoped I didn't sound as impatient as I felt.
"They can't prove anything," Linda said defensively. "Eddie might have mentioned a possible lawsuit in passing. Their attorney wrote him a letter, but he didn't think the family would actually go through with it."
"So Eddie did replace the diamond in the ring with a false one?"
Linda twisted a tissue between her hands and wouldn't meet my gaze. It seemed I had my answer. "Linda?"
She still didn't reply. I reached deep down inside myself for some patience but came up empty. I reminded myself that the woman was grieving. "Please be honest. You can trust me. I'm not the police."
Her lower lip trembled. "It's possible, I guess. Eddie had a gambling problem. He owed money to people."
"What people? Bookies?"
A tear rolled down Linda's left cheek as she nodded. "He liked the casinos—a bit too much. No one knew except me. He kept it private and was afraid it might hurt the business. That's why he always went to ones in Niagara Falls and never around here. He was afraid someone might recognize him. Silly, huh?"
I stared at her in disbelief. My father had told me Linda wasn't the sharpest crayon in the box, and that was an understatement. "No, it definitely wouldn't look good, especially if he's being accused of theft. Customers wouldn't trust him and might think he'd cheated them by raising his prices to try to cover his personal debt. You need to tell the police."
She started to sob, and guilt overwhelmed me. "Please don't cry anymore, Linda. What's done is done. How much money did he owe the bookies?"
Linda blew her nose into the tissue. "He wouldn't tell me. Eddie kept me in the dark about a lot of things."
That probably hadn't been too difficult. "So, there may be more families filing suits against the funeral home?"
"It's…possible," she conceded. "I don't know what happened to him this past year. He became so secretive and resentful practically overnight. He wasn't like this at all when we got married. Last month, I threatened to leave him unless he got his act together."
I was startled by her admission. "My father never mentioned that Eddie had an addiction, and he spoke to him almost every day."
"That's because Eddie didn't want him to know," Linda explained. "He looked up to your father. He said Domenic was such a talented man."
Okay, I wasn't going there. "Do you happen to know the names of the bookies that Eddie borrowed money from?"
She shook her head. "He wouldn't tell me. But now that Eddie's dead, I won't have to worry about that anymore, right?"
This gullible woman needed to get her head out of the clouds. I'd once been involved in a murder case where the victim had been found dead in my former bakery. He'd owed money to a mob family who couldn't have cared less about his death. They wanted the cash and would do anything to get it.
"There's more." Linda sniffed. "I think that Eddie was having an—"
"Well, well. Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
Startled, we both looked up. An attractive older man was standing in the doorway, watching us. He was wearing a black designer suit and leather loafers polished so brightly that they shone. His piercing metallic blue eyes came to rest on me.
Linda gasped and pointed at him, her hand visibly shaking. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard voices, so I wanted to see who was in here." The man brushed a hand across his silver-colored hair. "I mean, this should have been my business, remember? I've got the right to look around if I want."
A vein bulged in Linda's neck. "This was, and still is, Eddie's office. Now get out of here, and don't ever come back."
It didn't take much effort to figure out who this man was. I rose to my feet and stood in front of Linda, blocking her from the man. "You're Arthur Phibbins?"
He looked me up and down, and his mouth curved into an evil-looking smirk. "That's right. Who might you be, dollface?"
"My name is Sally Donovan. My father is—was—a good friend of your brother's."
"Sally," Linda said in a tight voice. "You don't have to explain anything to this man. He's the one responsible for Eddie's death."
CHAPTER EIGHT
"You're crazy." The cocky smile disappeared from Arthur's face as he glared back at us. "That's not a nice way to treat your favorite brother-in-law, Linda."
Linda's nostrils flared. "You're my only brother-in-law, and you've never been a favorite. I wish to God we weren't related. Now he's dead because of you."
"I didn't kill him," he seethed. "I couldn't do something like that to my own brother, even if we didn't get along. For all I know, it could have been you who killed him. Or one of your idiotic employees."
"You're horrible," she breathed. "All you did was make his life a living hell. I'm betting you came here that day to badger Eddie into selling you the funeral home. You couldn't let up, ever since your father died. Eddie told you to never come back—you got angry and killed him."
Arthur took another step toward us. "Lucky for you I'm not easily offended. Yeah, I wanted the business, but I'd never stoop that low."
"Why are you really here, Mr. Phibbins?" I asked.
His gaze returned to my five-foot-three-inch frame. He looked at me like I was an insignificant piece of lint on his well-pressed suit. "If you must know, I'm actually here to pay my respects to the Peacock family."
"Liar," Linda said angrily. "You're here to make trouble. You need to leave."
"You don't have a choice, Linda," Arthur said smugly. "It's all over town that the mortuary hasn't been doing well. Sell it to me and make yourself a nice profit."
She gave him a look of disgust. "I can't believe your nerve. Your brother is barely cold, and already you're talking about taking his business over."
Arthur examined her face carefully. "Why are you acting so surprised? It's no secret I've wanted the place for a long time. Plus, you hate the business. Get out while you can."
There was a long pause before Linda spoke again. "Things will get better," she said nervously. "I have Sally helping me. She'll find out who killed Eddie."
Head smack. Why did Linda keep doing this? Was she really that dense?
Arthur gave a low chuckle. "Nancy Drew in disguise? Where's your convertible and blonde hair, honey?"
Before I could retort, Linda prattled on. "Sally owns Sally's Samples bakery. She's solved several murder cases that have managed to elude the police. It's only a matter of time before we get your sorry butt thrown into jail."
Arthur roared with laughter. "Yeah, she looks about as sharp as you, Linda. And that's not saying much."
Anger rose from the pit of my stomach. "There's no need to be insulting. And I believe that Linda asked you to leave."
"Come off it, dear sister-in-law," Arthur chuckled. "Sell the place. None of you know what the hell you're doing without Eddie. You're up to your neck in debt."
Linda started to wring her hands. "I could never sell it, Arthur."
There was a sudden indecisiveness to her tone, which made me think that Linda was considering a sale. For the life of me, I couldn't figure this woman out.
"Arthur, it wouldn't be
right of me to do it," she went on. "Eddie loved this place. He was devoted to it till the very end."
Arthur snickered at her choice of words. "Yeah, and look what that got him."
"Excuse me, Mrs. Phibbins?" Brian stuck his head in the doorway, and I sighed with relief. "Is there a problem in here?"
"Thank goodness, Officer Jenkins." Linda pointed at her brother-in-law. "This is Eddie's brother, Arthur. He was just leaving."
Brian pursed his lips. "Yes, I was hoping to find you, Mr. Phibbins. Can we have a quick talk before you take off?"
"About what?" Arthur asked sharply.
"I have a few questions about your brother. It won't take long." Brian smiled pleasantly at him and then nodded to Linda. "Ladies, if you'll excuse us for a few minutes?"
I knew better than to ask if I could stay. Brian would never permit it. I gave everyone a careless wave. "I need to be going anyway."
Linda was at my heels as I left the office. She handed me a check. "Oh, Sally, I was hoping you'd be able to stay a little longer. I'd like to talk to you and Josie about doing some more goodies for future receptions. As luck would have it, there's another viewing tomorrow night for Mrs. Perry, and her family would like refreshments set up in our private room afterwards. We expect a good crowd since she used to be a librarian."
My cell beeped. "Excuse me for a second." I pulled the phone out of my pants pocket and saw that there was a new text from Mike. Picked up Cookie at your parents. We're at home waiting for you. When can we expect you? Midnight?
Oh boy. Sarcasm practically dripped from his message. With a small sigh, I closed my eyes, feeling defeated. "Not tonight, Linda. I'll call you tomorrow."
* * *
"We did great, Sal," Josie gloated as she turned onto my street. "We cleared over four hundred bucks, even after the cost of supplies! Mike can't be upset when you tell him that."
Little did she know. I unbuckled my seat belt as Josie pulled into my driveway. One lone lamp shone in the living room window, and I could see the reflection from the nightlight in Cookie's bedroom. "It won't matter. He's going to be furious when I tell him I'm going back tomorrow to talk to Charlene."
"Then don't tell him," Josie said simply. "Dodie's coming in, remember. Once she arrives, you and I will take off to see Charlene. It will take less than an hour, and he never has to know."
"I don't like sneaking around like that," I confessed. "Marriage is supposed to be based on trust."
She laughed. "Put on a sexy nightgown when you get inside, and he'll stop caring about it. Trust me."
Even though I was usually a private person about such matters, Josie was my dearest friend, and I needed to talk to someone. "That's part of the problem. I never seem to have time for him—if you know what I mean."
Josie's face broke into a sympathetic smile. "All too well. That's natural when you have a baby. After Danny was born, I told Rob I had a headache for two years."
"I'm sure he thought that was funny," I remarked.
"It will pass, don't worry. Go inside and work your magic. Tomorrow is one hour out of the day that he doesn't have to know about. Besides, your father is counting on you, and the coffin cookies are turning into a freaking gold mine for us. You guys need the money, and frankly, so do I." Her smile twisted into a frown. "Rob's company has been making some cutbacks lately. We're worried he might be next."
I gasped. "What? But Rob's been there almost ten years. Isn't it last hired, first fired?"
"Not always," she admitted. "In this case it might be: you make more money than the rest of the employees, so time for you to go." The freckles stood out on Josie's cheeks like they always did when she was worried. "I know you don't need me dumping this on you, especially now, but I wanted to be honest."
"I'm glad you told me." I reached out and hugged her tightly. "I wish life wasn't so complicated some days."
Josie squeezed my shoulders in return. "Me too. Now go on inside and give your man and baby some attention. I'll open tomorrow and then come by to get you after Dodie gets in. What time will your car be ready at the shop?"
"The mechanic said I could pick it up first thing. I'll follow you over to the bakery, and once Dodie's settled, we'll head over to Phibbins."
"Sounds good. Have a good night, hon."
"You too." I waved from the porch as she drove away, sucked in a deep breath, and turned the doorknob, not sure what to expect. Spike was on the other side, wagging his tail in greeting. I stooped to pet him. "Hi, big guy. Did you take care of things while I was gone?"
He trotted into the kitchen where his bed was located, while I made my way quietly down the hallway. Cookie's door was open a crack, and I peeked inside. She was sleeping on her back in a pink, footed sleeper. She looked like a little doll. I tiptoed over to the crib and peered down at her. I wanted to kiss her but was afraid to wake her.
"Why were you so late?" A sexy voice spoke softly behind me as Mike's arms went around my waist.
"Hi, sweetheart. I'm sorry." I turned to kiss him and inhaled the spicy scent of his cologne. In the dim light, Mike's blue eyes blazed seductively into mine. He was wearing a pair of plaid boxer shorts and nothing else. I put a finger to my lips as he followed me back into our room.
Mike laid down on our bed and yawned. "She went out like a light on the way home. I think your parents wore her out. Just being in their house is exhausting."
I winced at the remark but had to admit he was right. My parents had the same boundless energy as a pair of three-year-olds.
"Come on." Mike winked. "We haven't had any alone time in three weeks."
"You're keeping track?" I laughed and pulled off my shirt.
He patted the spot next to him in bed. "Sure. What else do I have to do? Now, you're all mine for the night. Nothing is going to stop—"
My phone buzzed from my jeans pocket. I drew it out and stared at the screen. My parents' landline. I pressed Ignore Call and placed the phone on my nightstand.
"That's my girl." Mike drew me to him and kissed me. "No more interruptions. And that silly nonsense is all over at the funeral home now, right?"
I hesitated for a second too long.
Mike drew back and waited for my response. "Sal, you're not going back there, right?"
"We cleared over four hundred dollars tonight," I pleaded. "Besides, Josie really needs the money. She said that Rob's job is in jeopardy and—"
My phone buzzed again, and Mike swore softly under his breath. "It's your father, isn't it? Turn the damn thing off, please."
"Okay." I shut the phone off and returned it to the nightstand, not wanting to argue.
Mike fell back against his pillow and grunted. "We finally get an hour alone, and your crazy parents are at it again. Let your father go back to the funeral home with cookies. Hell, he gets people to buy that insane book of his, so why can't—"
The house phone rang, and we both cringed. I jumped out of bed and ran down the hall to the kitchen, afraid the sound would wake Cookie. The caller ID confirmed it was my parents' landline.
"Dad," I hissed into the phone. "Cookie's sleeping. I'll call you back in the morning with a report."
"Sorry, baby girl," he said. "But I just got the weirdest call from Arthur Phibbins. He wants me to meet him for breakfast tomorrow."
What the heck? The guy was rude and condescending to Linda and me, and now he wants to break bread with my father?
Mike leaned against the wall and gestured for me to hang up the phone. "Dad, I promise I'll call you in the morning."
As usual, my father went on as if he hadn't heard me. "Linda called a little while ago. She said Zach told her you were going to talk to Charlene. How about I tag along?"
Boy, news traveled fast. "No, thanks. Josie will be with me when I talk to her. It won't take long."
Mike tapped me on the shoulder. "Who are you going to talk to?"
Oh crap. "Dad, I'll speak to you in the morning. And please don't call the house phone again. Bye." I hung up
and turned to face my husband.
Mike folded his arms across his broad chest. "Who are you going to meet with and why?"
"We're just going to have a quick talk with the cosmetologist tomorrow," I explained. "It will be during the day."
A vein bulged in his forehead. "I don't like this Sal. You're getting too involved in this guy's death. It's dangerous, and you have other priorities."
I remembered what Josie had said in the car and reached up to kiss him. I was so exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open but didn't want to go to bed with him upset at me. Perhaps a little romance would lighten his mood. "Josie will be with me. There's no need to worry." I ran my hands down his bare chest. "Now where were we before my father called?"
Mike backed me up against the wall and kissed me. "Okay, you win. Let's forget about your crazy parents and that weird funeral parlor. It's just you and me tonight, princess."
He swung me up in his arms like he used to before I was pregnant and stumbled for a second. All the cheesecake I'd been eating lately wasn't helping my plight. Mike's breathing sounded labored as he made his way through the living room, my arms wrapped around his neck. He took a step forward, and something crunched underneath his feet. The "Farmer in the Dell" song blasted through the room.
Mike swore and fell to his knees, searching for Cookie's toy radio, almost dropping me in the process. I scrambled out of his arms and fell back onto the floor. I was the first to locate the radio and flicked the switch to off. We both sat there in the darkness, daring not to move and waiting to see what happened first—the apocalypse or our daughter's cry.
After a minute of silence, Mike crawled toward me and pushed me gently on my back. "Damn, that was close." He started kissing me again, marking a path down my neck and chest. "Hey, who needs a bed, right?"
"You're awfully spontaneous tonight, Mr. Donovan," I teased as I kissed him back.
A screaming wail rocked the walls. We froze in our tracks, holding our breaths, and waited. Perhaps we thought if we were very still, the cries would subside as if by magic. Instead, they grew louder and more insistent.
Icing on the Casket Page 7
