Page 111 of Ghost

“Good idea.Surely there is another funeral home to go to.”

Ellen patted Mason’s arm.“I’m sure there is.”

When the man reappeared, he handed Ellen the material and started his spiel.Ellen quickly cut him off.

“Mr.Wells, we will take this,” she said, holding up the glossy packet he’d just handed her, “and discuss what it is we want for our dear Francis.Thank you so much for your time.We’ll get back to you.”

The man seemed flustered.“But don’t you want to take care of matters quickly?”

Without batting an eye, Ellen responded, “He’s been dead for almost a hundred years.I don’t think a few more days are going to matter to him.Good day.”

Ellen took Mason’s arm and with perfect posture, walked out the double doors to the car waiting outside.Once inside, she said, “He reminds me of a sleazy mafioso.”

“You nailed that one on the head,” was Mason’s response.“Where are Francis’ remains now?”

“Oh dear.”Ellen looked flustered suddenly.“I’ve made arrangements for him to be brought to this place.I need to find a phone and fast.”

The driver turned.“Ma’am, there is a phone in the center console if you would like to use it.There is a charge for it, however.”

“Excellent!”Ellen tried to open the console and failed.Mason opened it and handed her the phone.She opened her purse, pulled out a small address book and made the call.

“Just in the nick of time.”Ellen sat back.“That could have been a disaster in the making.”

“Where to, ma’am?”the driver asked.The elderly Black man was smiling.

“We need to find a funeral home that’s a little more no frills,” Mason said.“That guy really gave me the creeps.”

“If I may suggest, there’s Byrnes-Royale funeral home over on West Hall Street, just on the other side of the park.It’s one of the oldest in the city.”

“Of course.”Ellen leaned back against the seat.“Why didn’t I think of them?Can you take us there, please?”

“Yes, ma’am.I’ll even call ahead for you.My cousin works there.”The driver, whose name was Fred, picked up a mobile phone that was lying on the seat next to him and made the call.

“Francis said I needed to get one of those and a computer,” Mason whispered.

Ellen smiled.“Then I would do what he says.The one thing I can assure you about Francis is that he was always on the cutting edge when it came to business.He had the knack for making money, as did his father.”

Mason chuckled.“Maybe I should keep him around then, so he can advise me.”

Ellen looked at Mason.“That’s not even funny, Mason.”

When they arrived at Byrnes-Royale Funeral Parlour, a man came out to greet them.He looked more like Fred’s brother than his cousin.

“Welcome, welcome,” he said, smiling and extending his hand to help Ellen from the car.“How’s ya’ll doin’ today?”

Ellen smiled back.“We are very well, thank you.How about yourself?”

The man extended his hand to Mason.“I’m doing about as well as an old fat man can be,” he laughed.“I’m Martin Royale.”He turned to Fred and pulled him into a big bear hug.“How’s it goin’, cousin?”

Fred smiled.“Doin’ good, cousin.”

“Thanks for the referral.”

Fred only nodded.“They were over at Clinton’s and decided against ‘em.”

Martin only nodded.“Why don’t we go inside where it’s a bit cooler,” he suggested.“Then we can talk about what it is you’ll be needin’.”

“Thank you,” Ellen said.