Page 27 of Dead Serious with Benefits
“I’m sensing more to this than you’re letting on, but again, I respect your privacy. I’m sure you’re used to scathing comments and sidelong looks from people when you reveal what you do for a living.”
“That is true, but it doesn’t bother me. Death is and forever will be a taboo and difficult subject for people.”
“I’ll also save both of us the trouble of asking what led you to that career choice, as I suspect I’ll get another vague if not obtuse answer. You are a puzzle.”
“Not particularly, I am just...not in the habit of talking about myself.”
“A shame,” he said, and I blinked when I realized he was practically purring in my ear. “As far as I can tell, you are interesting enough to merit attention.”
“I...thank you?”
He chuckled. “So, man who spends his time with the dead, what prompted you to call me? I had reached the point where I thought you wouldn’t.”
“I...” glancing toward the strips of plastic separating this room from the next, I grimaced. “Have no good answer for that.”
“I suspect you have a very good answer, a motivation you don’t want to express. Could it be that perhaps you are interested in my offer for a little one-on-one time?”
“It was on my mind,” I admitted quickly.
“Hmm,” he hummed, and I thought I heard a note of suspicion. “Now that was an awfully quick answer, and considering how reluctant you were at my first offer...there’s another reason, isn’t there? A reason popped into your head, besides my devilish good looks and insufferable charm.”
“Insufferable charm,” I repeated, smiling at the phrasing. “And you tell me I say interesting things.”
“I’ve been called insufferable and charming equally,” he said with a snort. “Now, don’t avoid the question. Surely the question can’t fall under ‘too much to ask’, can it?”
“No, I suppose not,” I admitted reluctantly. Though the admission wasn’t nearly as reluctant to come out as the reason he was asking about. “I’m at work at the moment.”
“Mmm, slacking at work? Tsk tsk, but am I to assume that is relevant to my original question?”
“It...is.”
“Ah, anything or possibly anyone I know there? Or...knew, I suppose, is a possibility, considering your line of work.”
“I’m not sure you knew, but knew of.”
“Interesting, mind telling me who?”
“Her name is Olivia Thorne. Ring a bell?”
“Would I be terribly judged if I didn’t recognize the name? Doesn’t even ring a bell.”
I wasn’t surprised. “No. I do not believe you remember everyone who comes to your parties.”
“My...oh. Is she…” he began, and I heard him clear his throat. “Is that the woman from my bathroom?”
“She is,” I confirmed.
“I see, “ he said slowly, as if tasting the words, or more likely, tasting the idea. The humor had disappeared from his voice. “How strange that she ended up where you work.”
“I had a similar thought,” I admitted. “All the funeral homes in this city, and her family chose this one. And that she was scheduled for...preparation on a day where our staff is low and I’m the one called upon to do the job.”
“And I was tempted to wonder if your belief that death was following you around was superstition born from some tragedy in your life.”
He was a lot closer to the truth than he thought. “Is that so?”
“Yes, but for you to be at my party when the first person to die at one in years, and then end up with that person in your funeral home is...well, I won’t say definitive, but it’s compelling evidence. You seem to attract a certain...I don’t know, actually. I won’t say I’m convinced you have death stalking you through life, but it’s certainly a more possible...possibility.”
“Redundancy? From you? You must be a little shaken.”
