Before Another Dies by Alton L. Gansky Page A

reasons?”
    â€œNot at all. I don’t know what your reasons are. I’m just curious. As mayor you serve a group of people within city boundaries. As a congresswoman you’ll be doing the same thing. Some of the issues will certainly affect those outside the district and maybe even the whole country, but in the end, you’re a person serving other people. There’s no higher or lower in that.”
    That started my brain churning, and I appreciated it. A few moments thinking of something else was a welcome break. “I’m not sure the distinction would make a difference in the campaign.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t, but it might make a difference in you. Don’t sell yourself or this office you hold short. Anything done for God, anything done for others, is important, which, if I understand my son correctly, is why I’m here. I was very sorry to hear about your friend’s tragedy. How can I help?”
    The heaviness that had been threatening to squeeze the breath out of me returned. I filled him in on Fritzy, the phone call, my visit, and the reason I wanted to meet with him. “I promised Fritzy that I would help with the arrangements. Would you be willing to do the funeral?”
    â€œYes,” he said immediately.
    â€œI don’t know her spiritual state or that of her husband. I feel guilty admitting that.”
    â€œGuilt is a useless emotion. It’s good for alerting us to a problem but nothing more. It’s like a fire alarm that goes off. Once we know of the danger, the alarm is doing nothing more than making noise. I’ll be happy to do the service. Give me her phone number and address. I’ll make an appointment to visit her. Has she chosen a funeral home to work with?”
    â€œI doubt it,” I said.
    â€œThere are several good ones in the city. I’ll make a recommendation. You’ll need to call her before I do. Tell her who I am, and that I’ll be calling. Lawyers have a reputation for chasing ambulances. I don’t want to be accused of chasing hearses.”
    I chortled and told him I’d make the call.
    â€œNow, how are you doing?”
    â€œMe? I’m fine. Why?” I squirmed in my seat.
    â€œWhy? Let’s see. Floyd told me you discovered a murder victim yesterday, and this morning you get a call about the murder of a friend’s husband. Considering the experiences you’ve endured in the past, well, I just want to make sure you’re doing okay.”
    â€œI’m fine, Pastor,” I said. “Some old hurts have been reopened but that’s to be expected. Right now, I’m hurting more for Fritzy than for myself.”
    He smiled. “That’s what I like about you, Maddy—your heart. If you need to talk, just give me a call. We’ll have coffee or something. Of course, you’ll have to pay.”
    â€œI’d be happy to pay.”
    He studied me for a second and then, apparently convinced that I wasn’t going to melt into a blob of broken woman, he said, “Let’s have a word of prayer.”
    He took my hand and bowed his head. I closed my eyes and did the same. It still felt strange to me. The prayer was short and to the point.
    When I raised my head, I said, “Thank you.” I noticed his eyes shift from me to something behind me. I turned.
    Tess Lawrence and Jon Adler were standing just inside the chamber at the same door Pastor Lenny passed through a few minutes before.
    â€œDo they always look that unhappy?” Pastor Lenny asked.
    â€œYou don’t know the half of it.”

chapter 11
    T hat was sweet,” Tess said. Sarcasm is sarcasm no matter how pleasantly it is said. I chose not to respond. I brushed past the two and entered the corridor that led from the council chambers to my office. To my dismay, they followed.
    â€œSome might think the council chamber is an inappropriate place to have prayer.” It was Jon.
    â€œDon’t