Read Online In Sickness and in Death by Jaye P. Marshall - Free Book Online Page A

But that’ll get done all in due time.”
    “Okay,” the doctor said slowly. “I’ll make arrangements with a crematorium. There’s one just across the street that our patients’ families frequently use.”
    “Yes, I’m familiar with it. That’ll be fine. I just want to get all this behind me.” She took a tissue from her purse, dabbed at her eyes and then rose from her seat. “Thank you, Dr. Harris, for everything. You’ve been such a big help.”
    Brian thought of his mother and, instantly, he was beside her in her living room. A daily quiz show was on the television in front of her and she was enthusiastically playing along.
    “Mother,” he said urgently, “you’ve got to listen to me.” Then, more urgently,
    “ Mother !”
    But the show played on and she showed no indication of acknowledging his presence. For the rest of the day, Brian hovered nearby and repeatedly tried to get her attention, but to no avail. Then he remembered that his dad had said he could send dreams. Maybe that was the route he should try.
    Brian thought of Mr. Harrigan and moved to his office. Cindy, Brian’s secretary, tapped on the door and Harrigan glanced up from the contract he was reading.
    “Oh, yes, Cindy, is there something I can help you with?”
    “Well, it’s Mr. Forrester, sir. He hasn’t answered any of my e-mails today and that’s not like him. I tried to call a minute ago and got the answering machine. I’m getting worried.”
    “It’s probably nothing. Maybe he’s just in the shower.”
    “You really think so?”
    “Probably. If it’ll make you feel any better, I’ll stop by his apartment this evening.”
    “Oh, yes, sir. I’d feel much better.”
    Mr. Harrigan nodded curtly. “Very well.” He watched Cindy turn away from his doorway. “Probably just undergoing a treatment,” he muttered to himself. Brian whiled away the afternoon revisiting some of the places he had most enjoyed. He roamed through the park where riotous summer blossoms adorned every bed along the numerous walkways. He went to the forest where he had wandered as a boy, watching the birds and squirrels move from branch to branch, tree to tree. When twilight began to darken the sky, he thought of the apartment and found himself in the living room. Adrienne sat on the sofa leafing through a stack of travel brochures. It appeared as if she were planning a trip. Was this how she was going to spend the insurance settlement?
    What about all of the debts they had piled up? Surely she wouldn’t just walk away from those. The doorbell rang and Brian followed as she went to answer it. Mr. Harrigan stood outside as Adrienne opened the door only slightly.
    “Hello, Adrienne. I wonder if I might speak with Brian. It seems he’s not answered his e-mails today and Cindy, his secretary, is worried. I promised her I’d stop by to check on him.”
    “Well, Mr. Harrigan, he has been feeling a little under the weather today, but I’m sure it’s nothing serious. He’s asleep right now and I really don’t think I should wake him.”
    “Oh, no, no. Of course not. Let the poor man sleep. I’ll reassure Cindy. Thank you, and I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”
    “That’s quite all right, Mr. Harrigan.”
    “Well, you take good care of our boy now, okay?”
    Adrienne nodded. “Good night.”
    Adrienne eased the door closed and returned to the couch.
    Brian shook his head in wonder. How could she play it so cool? One would never believe that she had deliberately murdered him. He thought of his father and the information he had given him and immediately he was beside him as he meditated under a huge tree on a hillside.
    “Well, son, what did you find out?”
    Brian shook his head. “You wouldn’t believe it. My Death Certificate has been filled out to show that I died of natural causes. Adrienne is lying to everyone – my boss, Dr. Harris, everyone. She told my boss that I was sleeping without the least bit of sarcasm. She told Dr.