Page 22 of Collect the Pieces

I quickly flip it open even though I already know what it says.

Dear Mr. Cedarwood and Margot,

I don’t have the words to fully express the depth of my gratitude for your kindness and generosity during one of the most painful times in my life. The care and compassion you showed in arranging and caring for baby Ashley is a comfort to my heart in a way I didn’t think was possible.

Forever grateful,

Laurel

Tears sting my eyes.Not the time to get emotional.I close the card and hand it to Detective Wood. He flips it open and slowly scans the note, then passes it to his partner.

Without looking at the card, Detective Wearmouth asks, “Did you have any personal interaction with Mrs. Larsen?”

“Of course I did,” I answer in a tone meant to convey what a dumb question that is. “The normal interaction I’d have with any family. She also stopped by before the service to give me a baby blanket that she knitted.” I have to stop to take a breath. “She asked to have her daughter wrapped in it.”

This man must be made of stone, his expression doesn’t shift at all. “Is that normal?”

“Nothing about the situation wasnormal. But yes, parents especially, will give us items to put in with their children.”

Detective Wood groans.

Oh, sorry. Did that make you uncomfortable?

Detective Wearmouth flips the envelope over and studies the blank side. “No return address,” he mutters.

“She said she was going to stay with her mom or her sister,” I offer. “But I didn’t ask for the address.”

“Why not?”

I only stalk bad guys.“We didn’t need it.”

“No final bills or anything?” he persists.

I drop my gaze to the floor. “There were no bills. My father didn’t charge her for the service. For any of it.”

“What about the remains?” Detective Wood asks.

“They were ready for her at the service.”

“Is that normal?” Detective Wearmouth asks. “Not to charge for a funeral?”

“As I said, nothing about the situation was normal.” After a breath, I add, “Thankfully.”

“Did your father know Mrs. Larsen before she came to you for the funeral?”

My eyes widen in surprise. Why would they think that? “No. As far as I know, she was referred to us by the hospital.”

“Then why the free funeral?”

Why are they so stuck on this point?

How do I explain human decency to two people who probably don’t see a lot of it?

“It was an awful…tragic situation. We often waive costs for stillborn babies or infants.” I swallow hard, fighting for composure. “The cost and work for us is much less in those cases. It just seems like the right thing to do.” I straighten my spine, lift my chin, and stare Detective Wearmouth down.“Three generations of Cedarwoods have operated this way. We’re not unique. Other funeral homes have similar policies.”

April says even her soulless, corporate funeral home waives the cost for a simple infant burial.

“I see.” Detective Wearmouth grunts and hands the card back to me.

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