Death by Donation

by Sarah Hualde

  “Do they have a butler?”

  Lydia laughed. “Can you picture Ines with a butler? She does have a maid. She’s a community college girl who comes twice a week to deep clean. They also hire a gardener. Bill pays for them. Ines, after all, lives on a librarian’s salary. She has trouble keeping the house in good repair. Sometimes Thad Miller comes out, with Sam, to help her but that's it. They’re both very easy going people. They like their quiet and space.” Ivy’s mouth still hung open at the shock of the huge house.

  “I thought the Hive was huge.”

  Lydia put the car into park and waved to Dr. Lawrence who had just stepped out the front door and was walking to his car. The good doctor stopped to converse.

  “Lydia, I’m not surprised you're among the first to visit. I don’t suppose you’ve brought along any baked goods?”

  Lydia patted the insulated bag that swung from her forearm. “Pumpkin bread.”

  “Great. No one can resist a warm slice of your pumpkin bread.”

  “Give us a heads up. What are we walking into?”

  “A room of strange. In fact, I’m happy you’re here. Ines could really use your company.” The doctor adjusted his glasses.

  “How are Bill’s burns?”

  “Bill’s not home right now. Ines said something about picking up his cousin from the motel. I don’t know. Like I said it’s a room of strange. You’ll see.

  But his hands were actually a lot better than I’d anticipated. Usually, burns caused by a melting substance require surgery. I expected the plastic shoes to melt into Bill's skin. Maybe even fuse his fingers together. Bill was very fortunate.”

  Ivy struggled with an obstinate Scout and finally untangled her shirt from the baby’s fist. “You and Ivy have a nice visit.”

  Dr. Lawrence tossed his kit into his passenger seat and slid into the driver’s. He waved farewell as he drove away. Lydia stood frozen to the dirt drive.

  “What is it,” Ivy asked, worried over Lydia’s sudden delay.

  “A room of strange.” Lydia’s flat tone intrigued Ivy. What exactly had she missed during the doctor’s three-minute conversation?

  Suddenly a huge smile stretched across Lydia’s face. “Let’s go see for ourselves,” she said. Lydia hurried to the front door and knocked.

  Grant’s eyes sparkled at the guests. “Hello,” he said. “I thought it was the doctor, again. I couldn’t figure out what he might have left behind. Come on in. Aunt Ines is in the library.” Ivy smiled. A librarian in the library at home and at work. Surrounded by books wherever she went. “I know, right? You’d think she gets enough of the library at work. But nope, it’s her favorite spot in the house. We hang out there almost all day.

  Sometimes I hang out in the game room. Just to give Bill and Ines privacy. I can show you, if you’d like?” Grant addressed Ivy with this question as he led Lydia into the library.

  Ivy looked at Lydia. “Go on, I'm good. Give me Scout.” Lydia traded her insulated snack bag for the baby and both ladies went their separate ways.

  Ines reclined on a tan leather sofa. A washrag covered her forehead. She peeled her eyes opened and grinned at her guest.

  “Oh, Lydia, I’m so glad you’re here. Maybe you can help me. Please make yourself at home. Get comfortable.”

  “Thank you.” Lydia sat in a chair opposite the sofa. Ines stiffened to a more erect position. She shifted the rag to the back of her neck and smiled again at Lydia.

  “My head has been spinning since yesterday morning. Actually, it’s been spinning since Friday. Now that I think of it.”

  “It has been quite the whirlwind of a weekend,” Lydia said. She laid a blanket on the ground for Scout and tossed a few of her fabric lovies on the blanket to entertain the little girl. Ines watched on, her fondness for Scout evident on her tired face.

  “You could say that. This has been far from the reunion Bill and I had hoped for.”

  “I can imagine. What did you have planned?”

  Ines rolled her neck and shrugged her shoulders. Her headache eased, for just a moment. “We weren’t at all certain Jake would show up. He’s been a little more than flighty. But when he did, we were overjoyed, of course.” Ines’ face didn’t reflect a past of over joyous emotion. It reflected tension and frustration.

  “Was it nice before, yesterday?”

  “I’m not sure how to answer that.” Ines crossed her legs and fully pulled herself to a seated position. The rag fell and she held it instead of placing it back on her skin. “It was good. Bill was happy. For the most part. He was going to ask Jake to be his best man. In fact, that’s why he was at the mobile on Sunday. Jake refused to attend church with us, so Bill went to the early service and arranged to meet Jake afterward.”

  Scout chatted at her toys, momentarily stealing Lydia’s attention. “What was Jake doing at the mobile? Was the blood bank going to open on a Sunday?”

  “They thought about having it open after lunch. But that’s not why he was there. When the blood bank stays at any location overnight at least one worker is required to stay with the mobile. It was Jake’s turn.”

  “He slept there?”

  Ines nodded. “There’s no telling what really happened to Jake, yet. Bill is hopeful his brother died from gas inhalation and not from the actual flames. I haven’t disagreed with him. But there’s a slim chance of it, in my mind.”

  “Where is Bill? I thought he’d be here with you.”

  Ines’ shoulders slumped. “I thought so, too. He stayed the night. It was awkward, but given the circumstances it made sense. When I went to wake him, this morning, he was gone. There was some sorry note on his bedside table, saying he was going to meet Jake’s cousin.” Lydia followed the conversation as she watched Scout swat at her toys.

  “She was on his emergency contact information. Maddie leaked us her phone number. We didn’t know she existed.”

  “Is she also related to Bill?”

  “Bill doesn’t think so. He thinks she must be from Jake’s adoptive family. I’m sure he’ll ask her. Her name is Della Strap. She’s only thirty and lives near Jake. Maddie and Lou say they’ve never met her.”

  “What are Maddie and Lou doing, now, since the van is destroyed,” Lydia asked.

  ‘“They have to stay in town until the main hub sends out an investigator and a tow to haul the entire mess back. They’re quite put out. I can only imagine they want to get home and start putting all of this behind them. Bill’s been talking to them and making sure they’re alright. I think he’ll check on them when he gets Della from the motel.”

  “Will she be staying here?”

  “We’re going to offer but I don’t know if she'll be comfortable staying at some strange woman’s house. I’m not sure how long she’s expecting to stay in town. I imagine she has all sorts of things to accomplish. She may have to I.D. Jake’s body and then arrange for transport and all that.”

  Lydia didn’t know what the woman would have to get done before she could make it home with her deceased cousin and move on with her life. She could imagine it was not going to be an easy task. If the blood bank wanted to investigate the mobile for negligence or arson, she could have to stay for weeks. Or maybe they’d question her and send her back to wherever she came from. Just how detailed of an investigation would the blood bank require? Had the fire really been a mere accident? Or had something more nefarious taken place?

  Chapter 11

  Ivy and Grant helped themselves to the pumpkin bread. There was no reason to let it grow cold when they were hungry. Grant obtained them both cups of espresso from Ines’ machine. He set out plates on a small bistro table in the corner of the game room. The room was awkward with no pool table in the center. It did have a few old arcade games along one wall and shelves of board games on the other. But it was far from the typical mansion billiard room Ivy had seen in movies. She liked it.

  “How was last night,” she asked Grant.

  “Weird. But how else should it
have been? Aunt Ines did all she could to comfort Bill, but he was strained and sarcastic. It was weird, especially for Bill. He’s usually so diplomatic and even. There was a tension between us all. I never knew if I should linger in the room with them or leave them alone. The three of us alone all night isn’t a normal event.”

  “Death can make people do strange things. Surely, Bill’s stayed here before? I mean they are about to be married.”

  Grant blushed. “Not that I’ve seen. And I’m the acting chaperone.” Grant teased. “But that wasn’t it. He had a huge guest room all to himself. No. Bill was just strange. He kept talking about Jake’s cousin and how he needed to make things right with her. But neither Aunt Ines nor I had known he’d had a cousin until Bill started ranting about her. That and Bill was acting, or lack of a better word, more aggressive than normal.”

  “How so?” Ivy sipped her bitter brew and watched Grant search for the right phrasing. His hazel eyes twinkled with innuendo. “Oh. Like that.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, they are getting married in two weeks.”

  Grant thought over Ivy’s suggestion. “No. Bill’s never been like that before. He’s always joking about keeping Aunt Ines’ honor intact, so she can still wear white.”

  Ivy giggled. Ines was well into her forties. Ivy assumed anyone that old had already lost the traditional right of wearing white on their wedding day. If people still held to such ideals. Most of the people she knew, back in Lewiston, scorned such traditions. She didn't say so to Grant, who took the entire ordeal with a somber deliberation.

  “Maybe grief got the better of him?”

  “I guess that’s possible. Plus he was on pretty heavy pain meds for his hands. I think the doctor gave him something to sleep as well.”

  “That explains it. A few months ago, Lydia accidentally overdosed on some meds and she went completely whacko. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  “You’re probably right. It just gave me this sick feeling, you know?”

  Ivy knew all about sick feelings. Grant’s mention of inappropriate behavior had her thinking back on Don. Why wouldn't these memories leave her alone? She was safe, now, completely safe at Lydia's. Even though she needed to move on soon, she knew Lydia would always remain a safe spot for her and for Scout. So why did her mind enjoy throwing her into the past?

  Ivy’s palms began to sweat. She hoped Grant didn’t notice but one look at him and she knew he had. He possessed a sixth sense for other people’s pain. She wondered how he did it. Didn’t he have enough hurt of his own to contend with? Why was he so desperate to seek out the hurt of other people?

  “It’s okay, Ivy. Anything you want to talk about is fine with me. It can’t be much crazier than what we’re already going through.”

  A bitter chuckle escaped Ivy’s lips without her permission. She recoiled at the sound. Where had that come from? She suddenly wanted to find Lydia and haul her out of the huge house and away from the all-seeing eyes of Grant Justice. What kind of name was that anyway, Grant Justice?

  “It’s a pretty unique name, I’ll admit.”

  Ivy felt her face grow hot. She hadn’t intended on speaking out loud. She hoped she only questioned his name and not released all the building venom that stacked up like late bills in her stomach.

  “It’s interesting. I’m not sure if it’s so cool it’s weird or so weird it’s cool. But it fits you,” Ivy said.

  “That’s what I think, too.” Grant puffed out his chest in mock pride. Ivy laughed. Thankfully, Grant was not only observant he was also forgiving.

  The flush from her cheeks faded and once again she felt at ease, sipping strong coffee and picking at her piece of pumpkin bread.

  With a whoosh of wind and a hefty slam, the front door opened and in walked Bill with a younger woman. The strange duo passed the game room without looking inside. They headed straight for the library. “Shall we?” Grant stood and opened a palm toward the doorway.

  “It would be rude for us not to.”

  They followed the loud couple into the library. “Bill,” Ines was to her feet and at Bill’s side before his guest entered the room. She kissed her fiancé on the cheek and he patted her back in response. He grimaced in pain. He’d forgotten his about wounded hands. “Bill, I would have driven you to the Sleeping Pretty. I was so worried about you.”

  “No reason to worry. Sure it hurts but I’m alive. Fine. Healthy. And this,” he turned to the doorway and gestured toward the 30-something woman walking in behind him. “Della Strap, Jake’s cousin.”

  “Oh, Della it’s so nice to meet you. I’m so sorry we couldn’t have met under better circumstances. Please come in and have a seat,” Ines offered Della the room.

  Della sauntered around the library before sitting cross-legged on the floor, next to Scout. Grant and Ivy entered the room in time for introductions. “Della, I’m sure Bill’s already told you. But I’m Ines. This is Lydia.” Lydia smiled at the woman. “That’s my nephew, Grant and that’s Ivy.”

  “Hello, everyone.” Della waved to the group and turned to Scout. “Who is this?”

  Ivy sat awkwardly on the couch. Grant joined her.

  “That is Scout,” Lydia said.

  “Well hello, Scout.” She reached out to Scout and shook a toy at her. Scout froze and sucked in her bottom lip. Ivy watched her baby. She was usually fine with strangers. But it was obvious Scout did not appreciate Della touching her toys.

  Della didn’t stay on the floor for long. She took Ines’ previous position and motioned to Bill. “Oh, Jakey come sit by me.”

  Ines’ brow furrowed, “You mean Bill.”

  Della stammered and cried, “You look so much like my Jakey. Except for the glasses. Just the same. It’s hard to believe he’s dead.” Her nasal wailing echoed through the room. Bill hurried to her side. She flung herself around him and wept even more. He tried to hold her but his wrapped hands made it difficult.

  Ines stood back, eyes narrowing at the new presence in her house. Lydia wondered if the woman’s headache was firing up in full force. Lydia felt a twinge of pain coming herself.

  “Well, we’ll let you guys get acquainted and you can begin working things out,” Lydia announced. She signaled to Ivy, who hurriedly picked up Scout and packed away the baby’s belongings.

  “You don't have to go,” Ines said. But clearly, she was exhausted. Ivy and Lydia insisted and offered any help they could give to the family.

  “What do we need to be working on?” Ivy heard Della ask Bill. Ivy shuddered. The woman was clearly in shock. Seeing your deceased cousin’s identical twin probably didn’t help her through the confusion of a loved one’s passing. But still. It was a weird question.

  Bill answered Della. “We have to figure out if we need to have a memorial service and how to get the body back home for burial.”

  “Oh...” Della whispered, disinterested. “That.”

  Lydia eyed Ivy. She’d heard the strange interlude as well. Ivy was relieved. For a moment she thought she'd imagined it.

  Chapter 12

  Lydia and Ivy were home an entire two hours before their first call from Ines came. Lydia answered the call quickly and hung up just as fast. “She’s coming over and needs our help. Della wants to have a memorial here and not back home.”

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Ivy gaped. “Why so soon?”

  Lydia shrugged, “I’m sure Ines will fill us in. She’s on her way over. She’s just dropping Grant off at the library first.”

  “He’s volunteering on a day like today?”

  Lydia began tidying up the living room. Ivy followed suit. She started fluffing pillows and quick dusting the flat surfaces. “I wouldn't want to spend the day in that house. Not with Jake’s cousin. Would you?”

  “I guess not. But I’m not sure I'd volunteer to work, either. “

  “Maybe it makes Ines feel better. Knowing he’s keeping an eye on the library when she can’t be there?�
��

  Both women shrugged and continued with their hustle. Lydia lit a candle and Ivy rolled Scout’s Exersaucer into her room.

  Ines knocked on the door only moments after. Ivy opened the door and Ines walked inside. She was weary and every step seemed heavy and dragging. It was odd for the librarian to be anything but softly optimistic and cheerful. Ivy thought Ines looked gray. A shadow covered her.

  “Thank you, Lydia,” She said, as she strode to the kitchen.

  “Coffee?” Lydia offered Ines a huge mug without receiving an answer.

  “Usually I'm a tea drinker but today I could really use a pick me up.”

  “How’s the head?”

  “A million times worse. But it’s only temporary. Della won’t be with us long. I’m sure.”

  Ivy chuckled at the nefarious tone hiding inside Ines’ tired speech.

  “So, what’s the plan and how can we help?”

  “Della and Bill want to host a memorial for Jake at my house tomorrow night. I can’t say no. But I don't have anything prepared. I need chairs, flowers, food... all the normal things that one finds at a Honey Pot memorial. Then I need to see if I can get Pastor Dean to say a few words, even though he never met Jake.” Ines’ eyes popped at a thought. “Oh my, do you suppose I need to say something?”

  Lydia shook her head and laid a soft hand on Ines’ shaking one. “No one is going to expect you to do that. Just breathe. We’ve got you covered. Kat’s not in town but I’m certain Flora will help.”

  “And I’ll call Ms. Jacqui. She won’t want to be left out. She'll probably help organize the food.”

  “Great idea!” Lydia gave Ivy a high five and turned back to Ines. “Please don’t worry about a thing. What time is the memorial to take place?”

  “Is 6 too early? What about 7?” Ines swallowed a shockingly bitter swig of strong coffee. Lydia slid the cream and sugar containers closer to her reach. “7 to 9 pm. I think that will be okay.”

  “So, do we have the normal church ladies buffet or...”