Alex Harris 00 - Armed

the next light and headed back to Indian Cove. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

    Dozens of mourners stood huddled around the casket. Bitterly cold, the falling snow added an eerily calm effect to the service. Large fir trees near the gravesite, their boughs laden with snow, gave partial shelter from a wind gradually growing fiercer.
    After picking up Mrs. Haddock, I joined Sam and our mother at the funeral home after which everyone went to the cemetery. The small chapel had been crowded to overflowing with mourners, most from Poupée, but some neighbors and friends Mrs. Scott had met over her years in the area.
    Detective Van der Burg stood in the background throughout the service. I avoided his gaze though I felt his eyes on me several times. Things were brewing between the two of us, and while exciting, I felt bad. A murder had taken place and, using the situation as a dating service didn’t sit well with me. Sometimes being a Catholic, even far removed, put such a burden on me. Guilt about everything lurked around every corner my entire life. But it also had benefits because deep down inside me lurked a bit of larceny. If not for the guilt and the fear of getting caught, I might have robbed a bank by now just to see if I could.
    I scanned the mourners surprised to see Emmanuelle Roberts, but to not attend would have seemed strange given the entire company had turned out. Joanne sat with Mitch and looked bored. Jerry Gagliano sat with several people from the factory. I stole a few glances at Dolly throughout the service but she looked as grief-stricken as her husband.
    They lowered the casket as the weather worsened. Later, the mourners made their way back to their cars, I took Mrs. Haddock aside. “Mrs. Haddock, do you recognize anyone today?”
    “No. I don’t think so. Elvira didn’t socialize with anyone from work.”
    “No, what I meant is do you recognize any of them as the person you saw standing out in front of Mrs. Scott’s home?”
    “Oh! Well, let me think.” Mrs. Haddock watched the mourners drifting away from the graveside. “I’m sorry, Alex. No one looks familiar.”
    I patted her hand. “Not to worry, Mrs. Haddock. They’ll catch whoever is responsible. Oh, one more thing. Did either Mrs. Scott or her husband ever mention a son to you?”
    “A son?”
    “Yes. I heard somewhere Irwin had a son in California.”
    Mrs. Haddock looked shocked. “No. Elvira never told me about that.”
    I decided to drop it. I only had my mother’s story to go on.
    Sam had an appointment back at the office and my mother wanted to spend the afternoon with Meme. I told Mom about getting Meme and Mrs. Haddock together and my mom took Mrs. Haddock with her. After they drove away I went over to the Poupée residence.
    The old house, situated on a large, wooded lot, and grand in size, felt warm and inviting inside. Good quality furnishings had a used, lived-in feel. I stared out the French doors at the lilac hedge that had served many years ago as a fort against the advancing army, which usually consisted of Sam. I only came to the house to play on special occasions, but when I did, I played the Indian and Sam the U.S. Cavalry.
    Inside, with the house lavishly decorated for Christmas, the gathering took on more of a party atmosphere than that of a funeral. A simple buffet of rolls, Danish pastries, muffins, and fruit covered the dining room table.
    I got something warm to drink and wandered into the living room where the large fireplace kept everyone warm. Richard and his wife stood in a corner talking with another couple. Monica and Sandy had just arrived. Emmanuelle sat alone.
    “What a lovely ceremony.”
    Emmanuelle looked up from where she stared into the blaze. “Yes. Simple but nicely done.” Her husky voice took on a soft tone, rather than its usual snotty one, and she said her words without scorn. And then she said something that really took me by surprise. “I’m sorry. I haven’t been very helpful to you. I have a lot going on, but that aside, I know I’ve been rude. I’m not saying I like answering your questions, but William probably put you on the spot.” She turned back to the fire and stirred the embers with an iron poker. “So. Have you come to any conclusions?”
    “No. Nothing.”
    This sudden change in Emmanuelle made my defenses perk up. I didn’t know if the funeral truly upset the woman or if it a ploy on her part to garner information.
    She went back to