Stephanie Bond - 4 Bodies and a Funeral

C arlotta Wren skidded onto the sales floor of the Neiman Marcus at Lenox Square in Atlanta soaked in a flop sweat. Late on her first day backminus ten points.

Welcome back.

Carlotta turned and manufactured a smile for Lindy Russell, her boss, who was standing with arms crossed. Thank you. Its good to be back.

Lindy pursed her mouth. Too bad you couldnt make this mornings staff meeting.

Carlottas smile wavered, but she massaged the flexible cast on her arm. Sorry. This morning was the first time Id driven in a while, and my car battery was dead. She didnt think it would help to mention that the MARTA trains were being single-tracked for construction. Still, she decided not to dwell on transportation challenges since her recent medical leave had come on the heels of a two-week suspension to get her personal issues worked out.

Personal issues such as her brothers gambling debts, her ruined credit, the fact that her parents were long-lost fugitivesand oh, shed been entangled in a couple of murders as a by-product of her part-time hobby as a body mover for the morgue.

Things happen, Lindy conceded. Is your arm healing well?

Carlotta flexed the fingers of the arm that had been broken when a killer had pushed her over the balcony of the Fox Theatre, where shed dangled with her skirt around her waist for all the attendees of an Elton John concert to see. Almost as good as new. Though, at the moment it was throbbing like a toothache.

Sympathy crossed Lindys face. I cant tell you how sorry I am about Michael.

Michael Lane, aka the person whod pushed her over the balcony, had been Carlottas former coworker and friend. Hed also turned out to have some very dark secrets.

Me, too, Carlotta murmured, wishing her heart could be splinted like her arm had been.

I dont suppose youve heard from him?

She shook her head. I was told hes in the psych ward at Northside Hospital until hes deemed competent to stand trial.

So terrible. Lindy sighed, then checked the clipboard she held. Well, life goes on, doesnt it?

Carlotta blinked. It was true, but still

Im glad you could come back in time for the Eva McCoy appearance. Lindy swept her arm toward the small dais that had been erected on the sales floor with several rows of cordoned-off chairs for seating.

Olympian Eva McCoys return to her hometown had been hyped on all the media outlets for weeks. Thats today?

Lindy arched an eyebrow.

Carlotta backpedaled. I meanthats today.

Since you missed the staff meeting, heres the info. Lindy handed over a memo. Its going to be a mob scene so Ill need all my best employees on the floor.

Pleasure suffused Carlottas chesther history of being a consistent top salesperson still meant something.

And heres one now, Lindy said, looking past Carlottas shoulder. Carlotta turned and swallowed a curse when she saw Patricia Alexander, aka Stepford Salesclerk, complete with rounded-collar suit, helmet hair and strand of pearls, walking toward them.

The blonde flashed a waxy smile. Id heard you were coming back, Carlotta, but when I didnt see you at this mornings staff meeting, I assumed that something else had happened. Youre soaccident prone.

Carlottas mouth tightened.

Ill let you two catch up for a couple of minutes before the crowd arrives, Lindy said, handing them each a roll of tickets to be passed out to customers who wanted to meet the guest of honor. Then she gave Carlotta a pointed look. I tend to agree with Patricia. Theres going to be a lot of security on hand today, so try not to do anything that might draw extra attention. Lindy walked off, leaving Carlotta properly chastisedin front of her nemesis.

Ouch, Patricia chirped.

Carlotta was able to hold her tongue because she knew she deserved far worse from her boss than a reprimand for all hermishaps. Determined to get along with Lindys new pet employee, she turned toward Patricia. I suppose you took Michaels place in Shoes?

Yes. Its such a shame, isnt it, that he turned out to be totally insane?

Carlotta bit her tongue.

So, Ill bet youre happy to be back to work, Patricia offered. You were probably bored to tears doing nothing all day.

I didnt exactly do nothing, Carlotta muttered, although she couldnt exactly tell Patricia about the road trip shed taken with Coop for a VIP body pickup, the unexpected appearance of her father, and the capture of a murderer while shed been incapacitated, on leave with a broken arm. Instead she pasted on a smile. But I am happy to be back in my element.

Patricia made rueful noises in her throat. I hope you had time to rest, you poor thing. The heartbreak youve been through the past decadeyou must be close to the brink of insanity yourself.