Terry and Gene 21

Gene drove Terry to the shop and dropped her off on the curb. He had an appointment to keep, so it was just kiss and fly.

Terry opened the shop and counted out her money from the previous day, prepared a bank deposit, and began dusting. She moved around the shop, carefully wiping off each picture frame and using a feather duster on the sculptures.

The door opened and she turned to smile at the customer. It was the beat cop.

"Oh, hi Tony. How are you?" Terry asked, turning back to her cleaning.

Tony walked over to her. "Terry," he said.quietly. Terry felt her heart start pounding. She turned to face him.

"What's wrong, Tony?"

Tony put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. "I think we have Jason. But we need someone to make a positive ID."

"Have him where?" Terry frowned.

Tony continued to look at her and folded his lips.

Terry gasped and started shaking all over.

"Dead?" she cried. "Oh, god, Tony! Not dead!" Her knees went out from under her and she hit the floor.

Tony knelt beside her, holding her as she cried through the initial shock.

"You gotta be wrong Tony!" She struggled to her feet. Sobbing, she went and got her wallet and keys. "Come on. Maybe I can tell you who it is."

She locked up and followed Tony to the squad car. By the time they arrived at the morgue, she was reasonably under control.

Tony walked with her and stood by her as the coroner came in.

"He's pretty swollen," he said as he stood at the head of the gurney.

Terry took a deep breath.

"Are you ready?" Terry looked up at him and nodded.

The coroner slowly pulled the sheet down. His face was so bloated, she barely recognized him. But there was his beautiful, long hair and the self-inflicted cuts on his arms.

"Oh, my god," she said and covered her face with her hand. "That's him" she sobbed. Tony put his arm around her and led her out of the room.

"What happens now?" she asked, still crying.

"We try to contact relatives."

Terry shook her head. "If there are any, they're distant at best. His folks are dead and he was an only child. He never talked about any other family."

"If no one comes forward, the state will take care of the interment," Tony said gently.

"Like in a pauper's grave?" Terry cried out. "Forget it. I'll take care of him."

"Are you sure?" Tony said. "It's pretty expensive."

"I'll find a way. I've got some savings." Terry stood up. "Can you take me home or do I need to get a cab?"

"I'll take you."

Tony drove her back to the shop. She entered and made a sign that said "Closed due to Bereavement" and hung it over her normal sign on the door. She locked up the shop and went up to her rooms to make phone calls.