Page 46 of Buried Beneath Sin

Beatrix returns the smile with a full one. It comes on slowly but with more warmth than I expect from a complete stranger. I narrow in on it for a second. Is this how she’s gotten the twins to be so enamored with her? This pretty smile? Eh, it’s nice, but it takes more than a pretty face and nice outfit to win me over. I swallow my natural inclination to dismiss her and move on.

“He probably would’ve left you alone but you’re…” She waves a flippant hand in my direction without finishing her sentence.

I stiffen. Great, I lower my guard for a second, and here I am, about to get reprimanded for not fitting the mold of herstupid, backwoods, incestuous, traditional ideology. All small-town people are the same.

“I’mwhat?” I growl out as I brace myself for her conjecture.

“Too pretty. Sorry, I thought that part was obvious.” Her smile fades. “Avoid Trevor if you can. Anyone that doesn’t fit the norm around here is a prime target for him.”

Too pretty? Her unexpected compliment has me inwardly beaming. Oh how I do enjoy being complimented. Beatrix turns her back to me to listen to the recorded bell that rings overhead.

“I think they’re gone now. Would you like me to walk you out?” she asks. “I can watch to make sure they don’t come back around to harass you, if you’d like?”

“Actually, I’m waiting for some friends. I told them I’d wait for them to show up before leaving.” At the curious furrow of her brows, I add, “They were supposed to make the service but got held up.”

Understanding flickers across her face. “Oh,that’swhy you’re here.”

I frown. “Excuse me?”

“I know everyone in town, and there was no way Patrick or my mother would’ve associated with you.” She turns to face me once more, her gaze sweeping over me curiously.

“Because…of my prettiness?” I hedge suspiciously, unsure if this conversation is about to take a dive.

At her nod, I relax. She didn’t say it again, but she agreed, so that’stwiceshe’s complimented me. Ok, Thatcher and Sagan, I’m starting to see something I like about her. I could get used to this.

“Well, you’re right. I didn’t know them.” I shrug. “But I’m sorry for your loss.”

I study her face, searching for a flicker or guilt or sadness. Instead, the Starr girl purses her lips together and her expression shuts down completely.

“I appreciate the sentiment.”

But it’s not necessary, I finish in my head for her. Huh, I guess she’s really glad they’re gone. Good for her for taking a stand. Even though she did it the lazy way. She could’ve easily killed them herself instead of having someone else do it for her.

“Are you about to toss them into your fancy ovens or are you going to bury them?” I ask curiously.

“These two will be cremated this evening,” she answers.

“Cool, can I watch?”

At this, the Starr girl lets out a startled laugh. “No, you can’t watch! Why would you want to?”

“Death fascinates me.” She’ll seethatsoon enough. “And why can’t I? I won’t touch anything.”

“Because if you got hurt it would be an insurance liability that I’m not ready to tackle.”

Alright, well I can’t argue with her on that. Not until the guys reveal that the business is no longer hers to worry about. I let it drop and check my watch.

“I’m sure my friends will be here soon. Care if I just wait quietly?” If she says no, I’ll do it anyway, just out of sight. I’m not heading back to the motel only to come straight back here.

The Starr girl makes a face then lets out a sigh.

“Alright, well, I need to lock up, and it’s too cold for you to hang out outside or waste gas trying to keep your car warm.” She raises a brow. “Why don’t you hang out in the foyer while I transfer the bodies into a fiber container?—”

“What’s that?” I interrupt curiously.

Beatrix blinks, surprised by my question. “It’s like a cardboard coffin that’s built to burn away quickly during the cremation process. Anyway, while I do that and turn on the retorts?—”

“What’s a retort?” I probably should’ve done my homework on the workings of a funeral home since we’re planning to takeit over but… that kind of studying and research is boring. I’d spent my time working on the new interior design for this place instead.

---