Read Online A Will To Murder by Hilary Thomson - Free Book Online Page A

well-garnished entrée.  Crosgate was clutching the wreath, eyes closed.  Judging from his expression, he had obviously witnessed this type of scene before.  
    “Douthit.  I’ll say it again.  Close the damned casket and let us get on with the burial.”  Boyle’s narrowed eyes and protruding teeth made him look like a were-rabbit.
    “The families always say that they adore my handiwork,” complained the undertaker peevishly.
    “He looks wonderful, Mr. Douthit.  Now will you let us go on?” said Katherine.
    Reluctantly, the undertaker closed the casket again with Crosgate’s help and replaced the wreath.  Douthit’s gaze lingered on the casket, as if pained to see such a fine job vanish into the earth.  Armagnac took up his position again, and the undertaker turned away from the funeral, looking vexed.
    “Wearegathered heretodaytobury JamesElmontBoyle,” began Armagnac in a rush, “ourfatherbrother--”
    “They didn’t even say how good the hands looked,” said Douthit loudly. “Arranging the arms and supergluing the fingers together for that prayerful, sleeping look is an art.  Few undertakers can accomplish it like Marvin Douthit.”   
    “Iwouldliketoask eachofthefamily torecallafew memoriesabout JamesElmontBoyle,” Armagnac continued fortissimo, glaring across at Douthit.
    “Nor did they comment about the mouth,” said the undertaker to the empty air. “When a client wears false teeth like James Boyle, the lips will sink inward when he lies like that, but not when Marvin Douthit works on a body.  Douthit’s Funeral Parlor is unsurpassed at positioning a mouth former to bulk the lips outward and at sewing them shut to retain that natural look.  They didn’t even mention that.”
    “I’m going to strangle him, I’m going to strangle him,” chanted Jac, her eyes squeezed shut.
    Douthit glanced sadly towards the mourners.  “Why, what with exfoliating the scaly skin, dressing the hair, cleaning the nails, massaging and relaxing the limbs into place, and applying cosmetics, my subjects might as well be at a spa!  A spa , I tell you.  But does anyone appreciate my efforts?  No!  They just complain about the cost!”
    “Excuse me,” said Bert.  Cummings went over to the mortician and led Douthit firmly away.
    Armagnac exhaled with feeling.  “Rose, would you like to recall a few memories?”
    As Rose stood up to take Armagnac’s place, Arthur stared at the casket.  He was still stunned at having seen his dead grandfather.  After a moment he looked at the others.  Mrs. Marshpool’s face was serious and intent, and Phil was hunched over, guiltily sneaking a cigarette.  Douthit was speaking to Bert, and Arthur noticed his father was turning a funny color.
    Rose finished and sat down in her chair.  Armagnac gave Jac a questioning look.
    “Pass,” said Jac with a touch of disgust.
    Boyle gazed at his aunt.  But Katherine, who was holding a tissue over her nose, only shook her head sorrowfully.  Realizing he was running out of relatives, Armagnac glanced at Phil, who only mumbled that he hadn’t known the deceased that well.  Boyle even looked at Mrs. Marshpool, but she fanned her palm ‘no’ at him in an alarmed way.
    Having run out of speakers, Armagnac started to close the too-short service.  Pointedly, Boyle hadn’t recalled aloud any memories of his father, either.
    Bert returned, looking green, and said to Rose, “I didn’t want to hear all that.”
    The funeral party rose and began to make its way back to the cars.
    “Ms. Boyle,” said Douthit.  “While you’re here--”
    “No, Mr. Douthit,” said Katherine with the air of having had this conversation before, “I do not want to discuss my funeral arrangements right now.  This is not the time.”
    “Still,” Douthit continued.  “You shouldn’t balk at using this occasion to consider the subject.  My clients are always being caught unprepared.  Then the family has to decide all the details, and