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CHAPTER 38

MURIEL ROTH WAS known to soap opera fans as Mrs. Gregory Laughton on a long-running TV show called Day by Day . She carried herself with the poise of an accomplished actress who had been in front of cameras for many years, but also with the warmth and sweetness that was at her core in real life.

Muriel stood with the pastor as he introduced her, then she thanked him and all of us for coming to St. Mark’s to celebrate Warren Jacobi’s life.

And she spoke of their love, her voice trembling at times, while dabbing at her eyes.

Regaining her composure, Muriel said, “Warren and I met because we were neighbors but also, I think, by divine intervention. What began as comfortable casual meetings grew into caring and affection and friendship, and then so much more. Our friendship became deep love.

“Even though we were not legally married, sitting together in this church, sharing our faith and our love over the years, we felt married in the eyes of God.”

After concluding her eulogy, Muriel stepped down from the dais, walked over to the flag-draped coffin, and placed her hand where Warren’s heart would be. She lingered there, looking up at his beaming portrait. Then her knees folded, and her daughters quickly stepped forward to catch her before she dropped to the floor.

Pastor Elliot found me with his eyes.

“Sergeant Boxer, you would like to speak?”