Page 108 of The Dollmaker

“Kara wasn’t a fan of dolls.”

“Maybe she was, and you didn’t know it.”

Sharp meticulously tucked the pages in his notebook. “You might be right. Thank you again, Mr.DeLuca.”

“Of course. Return any time you have a question.”

On the way out, he glanced at the upcoming services and caught the nameTerrance Raymond Dillon. “The Dillon funeral is going to be held here?”

“Tomorrow at ten.”

Sharp moved to a side table and picked up a flyer. He stared at the paper, the feelings of regret and anger weighing heavy. “And the expenses were covered.”

“It’s all taken care of,” he said.

“By who?”

“The community. A crowdfunding account was set up, and it grew quickly. What it doesn’t cover, I will.”

“Do you do that often?”

“Sometimes. Mrs.Jones is asking in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Terrance Dillon scholarship fund at his high school.”

“Good to know. Thank you.”

“Will you be attending tomorrow?”

“I will.”

“Would you like me to reserve a seat for you? It’s going to be crowded.”

“No.” He forced a smile. “Thank you. I can fend for myself.”

“See you tomorrow.”

In his car, he called McLean, his one friend who’d attended Kara’s funeral. McLean picked up on the second ring. “What’s up?”

Sharp reached for his cigarettes. “You attended Kara’s funeral.”

Silence hung heavy between them. “I did.”

Sharp cleared his throat. “Did you see her?”

“I didn’t mean to, but yes, I saw her. I arrived late to the funeral home. The door to her viewing room was still open. I think Roger and your mother had just left.”

“Was she holding a doll?”

“Man, I don’t know. I could barely focus on her.”

“Did you see anyone else around her?”

“I heard footsteps outside the door, so I left and went to stand in the back of the chapel.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Why you asking about this?”

“Just chasing a lead. We’ll talk later.”

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