66 Delores

Delores pulled another five tissues from the Kleenex box and blew her nose. "No. I can't believe a young girl with so much promise…is gone. Why? What did she do?"

Rube looked as mournful as anyone Sheila had ever seen. She suspected that he and the woman detective were both…them. She patted Delores on the back, which triggered a new gale of crying. She and Delores had heard the news earlier today identifying for absolute certainty that Millie Hagen was dead. Delores fell apart and retreated into a back room, the same room they had put Sheila in after she fainted. Anyway the authorities had no doubt it was her. They had her body and her ID. Father Adair was also here with Rube and the police woman all offering comfort to Delores. Delores didn't know the Father. Sheila had talked with him on numerous occasions and he really was a good man, and had helped Sheila come to terms with her situation. He was so comfortable himself with the fact his grandmother was a grim reaper running around collecting souls. It creeped her out and she would prefer to keep her distance from all of them. But it was nice of this Rube, he was apparently someone close to Millie, or George. Delores thought he was her sponsor and that Millie had a history of drugs or something. Sheila was super careful never ever to contradict anything about Millie that Delores believed and would drop her way. With the double life, or existence that Millie was or had been keeping up, Sheila had no way of knowing what she had told Delores. Unfortunately, with Trip likely dead there went her pathway back to her old job.

The Father stood by and let Rube take the lead.

Rube said, "Well, Delores, things happen. Life and Death, they have a balance. And you never know. But the Universe has a way of making sure we're all taken care of in the end."

Delores stopped crying and seemed to see him in some new light. "She said that…to me once."

Rube said, "Delores. I wonder if you would be willing to say a few words…?"

She looked up.

"At her funeral. In two days. There will be a funeral and we will lay her body to rest."

Delores wiped away some goo and took more Kleenex. "Yes. Yes of course Mr. Sofer."

"Please call me Rube."

"I would be proud to speak on behalf of Millie. She was like a daughter to me."

Since Sheila heard the first news reports today, Millie was the first confirmed death, she was wondering how somebody dead or undead or whatever could die. She would bring that up with the Father next week when they met again. She knew the safest path was to keep her mouth shut. She didn't know what was going on, but she had come to appreciate the essential goodness of Delores, and it hurt that the woman was in such pain, or agony was a better word. That was real. But Sheila just didn't know what was going on. Rube looked sad, as did the Father. They would likely know something. Well… She couldn't help asking, "Will this be open casket?" As soon as she said it she regretted it.

Delores looked up and into Rube's face. Delores was grasping at some opportunity to say one final goodbye to her beloved Millie. Rube did not like the question. Sheila wondered if just maybe this whole thing was being faked for reasons she didn't know. She regretted the question though. The Father looked even more constipated than Rube now.

Rube looked over to the Father. The Father stepped in. "Ms. Herbig, while her death was quick it wasn't…how can I say…it didn't leave the body…"

Rube said, "As we told you she died quickly but her remains were close to the fire…and…I identified her for the police…and believe me Delores…you do not want to…really you should remember her the way you last saw her."

"I understand…Rube…I'm sorry. I will be ready…in two days."

They got up to take their leave. Sheila escorted them out leaving Delores with her Kleenex.

Outside the room the whole office was pretending to be doing something close by. They all would know Millie well. Millie worked here for…more than 10 years. Crystal stared at Sheila as she walked Rube, the detective, and Father Adair out to the elevators.

They were alone the four of them waiting on the elevator and out of earshot of anyone else.

Rube suddenly turned to her and said, "Sheila. You've done well. However, George wants Delores to believe she died quickly because the SOB who killed her…well what's left does not look pretty. So please do not bring up any viewing. Believe me you do not want to see what that guy did." He shook his head.

Father looked sad. "Sheila, I'll answer your questions in the confessional next week."

The door opened and they left. She had a lot of questions. She did not like the familiarity this Rube displayed. He seemed to know all about her, and that bothered her. How can somebody dead be killed. And there apparently was a body. Or was he just manipulating her to avoid anyone seeing a body that did not exist?