Christmas Corpse Caper Read online

  “This is my inheritance.” Arlene folded the jacket in her lap.

  “Like I said, keep it and I’ll get Susan to bring another one for your dad’s viewing tomorrow.”

  “She can’t know about this. After me being cut out of the will because of my betting, she expects me to mess up again. I’ve been in Gamblers Anonymous and haven’t placed a bet in a whole year, but neither Dad or Susan knew that.”

  “So, let me get his straight. You were cut out of the will because you gambled?”

  “Yes, I was addicted. Not just a gambler, a degenerate gambler.” Arlene fidgeted in her chair. Her voice came out low and quiet. “I’m not proud of it. He was so careful with his money and afraid I’d throw it all away. He just couldn’t bear it if that happened.”

  “But you said you’re done gambling.” I put a hand on her shoulder. “That’s great.”

  “Yes.” Arlene ran her hand across her lap.

  “Okay, then why not tell Susan?” I asked.

  “She wouldn’t believe me because I’ve relapsed before.” Arlene turned the coat over. “But I won’t this time. And I only want this so I can pay for my kids’ college.”

  “With a jacket? How?” I touched the garment's sleeve.

  “Here. Look.” She pulled a nail file out of her purse, and then ran it along a shoulder seam. As she wiggled the file along the edge, the seam gave way. She dug her fingers in and removed three small crystal clear rocks.

  “Whoa.” My heart flipped. “Diamonds?”

  “Yes, and I think every seam has some valuable gems as well. These are worth… Well, a lot.” Arlene held the diamonds in her open palm.

  “Then why would Susan choose that jacket to bury him in?”

  “Because it was his favorite. He kept it in the back of his closet and never wore it. He always told us it was priceless to him.”

  “No kidding.”

  “I thought he must have something hidden away. That’s why I wanted to be alone with him earlier, I’m ashamed to say. And when I felt his jacket seams they were full of small bumps. That’s when I knew I had to come back and get the jacket without Susan knowing. I didn’t think she’d ever understand without ever having kids to raise and support.”

  “Why don’t you try to explain it to her, like you just did to me? I’m sure she’d understand.”

  “Remember, I’m cut out of the will.” Arlene closed her hand.

  “Oh. Yeah.” I felt bad for her. After all it was Christmas. “Maybe, she’ll have the holiday spirit of forgiveness?”

  “Maybe. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” Arlene gave a faint smile.

  “It sure would.”

  Knock. Knock.

  Joe peeked his head inside the door. “Is everything okay in here?”

  I looked at Arlene and whispered, “You need to get this taken care of with your sister. If not, I have to deal with her or the police.”

  “Fine.” She sighed.

  “So all is good here? Is there anything I can do?” Joe offered.

  “Can you call Susan Wallace, please, and have her meet Arlene here?” I asked Joe.

  * * *

  After Susan arrived, we left the sisters alone in the office. While we waited in the lobby, I updated Kim and Joe about what Arlene had said.

  Fifteen minutes later Arlene and Susan emerged from the office.

  “Thank you for everything,” Susan said as she approached me.

  “You’re welcome. We’re always glad to help,” I said.

  “Yes, ma’am, It was our pleasure,” Joe said, shaking Susan’s hand.

  “Please, let us know if you need anything at all,” Kim offered Susan and Arlene.

  “Thank you. We’re fine. We’ll see you tomorrow morning. Oh, and I’m bringing another jacket.” Susan put on her gloves. She pointed to the jacket over Arlene’s arm. “We’re taking this one home.”

  Arlene said to me, “I guess I’ve underestimated my sister. She’s going to have all the jewels appraised, and then put the money into college accounts for my kids.”

  “I’m glad to hear that worked out.” I smiled. “Happy Holiday.”

  Right after Susan and Arlene left, the back door buzzer sounded.

  “Another delivery? We’re only supposed to have one tonight.” Kim glanced at Joe and then me. “And that one turned out to be a set up.”

  “What’s going on Joe?” I asked.

  “I… um… forgot to call off part two of your initiation.” Joe ran to the back door, and shouted over his shoulder to us, “Never mind. You guys can leave. I’ll lock up.”

  Kim turned to me and smiled. “Thank goodness tonight’s over. I guess you never really had to spend too much time alone here.”

  “Nope, I didn’t. Instead, I had a fake corpse, scary noises, and someone breaking in to undress a corpse. So I would say a night alone may be fine after a night like this.” I chuckled.

  “Too bad you want to be alone.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “I was hoping you could join me at the all night diner for a milkshake.” Kim grabbed her purse.

  “A date?” I asked, pushing my luck.

  “Sure, why not?” Kim walked over to me, opened her purse, and reached inside. “I need to get this out.”

  “Nunchucks?” I asked.

  “I was going for mistletoe, but I guess I don’t need it to do this.”

  Kim grabbed me by the arms and pulled me in for a kiss.

  THE END

  (If you’ve enjoyed this romantic suspense short story “Christmas Corpse Caper,” and want to read more about Mark Stevens, you’re sure to love the Amazon Kindle bestselling novel LIQUID LIES, a murder mystery suspense thriller http://amzn.com/B007GQ10WS )

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  Five Fun Facts about Lois Lavrisa

  1. She was a professional NBA cheerleader for the Chicago Bulls (1985/1986 season)

  2. Being organized gives her the illusion of having control (yeah right, with four kids)

  3. Secretly, she wants to be a beach bum. Okay now it’s not a secret.

  4. If someone hired her to travel the world and write about it -she would pack in today.

  5. She gave birth to her first two children in Sweden with a midwife -sans epidurals. Birthed the last two in the USA -blissfully numb with pain meds.

  Lois Lavrisa is an Amazon Kindle bestselling author who writes mysteries with a twist. When not writing, she juggles her packed schedule, as well as that of her four children, while desperately trying to squeeze in a date night with her husband. Lois daydreams of peace and quiet by the beach armed only with a glass of Riesling and a great book.