Page 38 of The Forbidden Note

“Dutch and Cadey Cross?” He points.

“Zane, actually.” I gesture to Miss Jamison. “We’re here in their place.”

“Ah.” His eyes glitter. “You’re a couple?”

Miss Jamieson stiffens.

I briefly consider saying yes, but I decide not to for her sake. “Family friends.”

Relief loosens the tense line of her shoulders.

The director nods. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

I almost snort. Tina Cooper dying is many things but a ‘loss’ is not one of them. From what I’ve observed, the only good thing she did was give birth to two healthy babies. Everything from that point on is a ledger of red.

“Come on, let me show you our best,” he says.

Miss Jamieson leans toward me. “What are we doing here?”

“Dutch didn’t trust me to plan the funeral alone.”

“Why not?”

“I suggested strippers.”

She says nothing. Just spears me with two accusing pinpricks for eyes.

The funeral director leads us into another room. This one has coffins in all shapes, sizes and stains.

“Walnut is the most popular.” He shows it off. “But it’s also the most common. For your loved one, I’m thinking we go with polished hazelnut.” He slides a finger over a gold-plated handle.

I point to the giant, gleaming white caskets in the front. “What are those?”

“These are our top-of-the-line caskets. Softest lining in the world.”

That’s a weird flex.

“Your loved one will rest in peace with memory foam linings and fragrance pockets.” He gestures proudly. “Patent pending.”

“How comfortable is it?” Miss Jamieson asks.

The director smiles. “Test it and see.”

She curls back, looking disgusted.

“How about you, sir?”

I push my hand into the coffin. “It is soft.”

“This is our deluxe casket for obese adults. It’s our fastest growing line.” He sees our intrigued faces and adds, “You can lie in it if you’d like.”

I grimace. It’s one thing to be here, planning a funeral.

It’s another to climb into a casket while I’m alive and kicking.

Miss Jamieson sees my resistance and a mischievous grin teases her full mouth. “I would love to see you in a coffin, Zane.”

“You first.”

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