Death Never Sleeps by E.J. Simon Page A

the ladies’ room of his office?”
    “Yes, and despite that and seriously misdiagnosing him, Alex still wanted to go back to him. He said he felt sorry for the guy. I miss him, Samantha. He’s the last link I had to my childhood, and all that history went with him when he died.”
    “I know, dear. I know how you feel.” Samantha made an understanding nod.
    “But there’s something else I want to tell you. When we were speaking about Alex and his wives, I thought about us, you and me. I wanted to say something.”
    Michael’s voice broke, ever so slightly, and he knew Samantha had caught it, just as he knew that she could sense the churning of his emotions. He could feel the hint of moisture in his eyes, something that would usually cause him to veer away from whatever discussion had caused it. But tonight was different.
    “What is it, darling?” Samantha said.
    “I was thinking as we were talking before about how Alex’s wives brought out the worst in him.”
    “Yes, I know.”
    “Well, you brought out the best in me. You found the best things in me, and you wouldn’t quit until you brought them out, no matter how much I protested. You’ve made me happy—in a way no one else ever could. You’ve been an unbelievable mother to Sofia. What we have is priceless. I don’t say it to you often enough.”
    “I know you don’t, Michael. But I cherish our relationship, beyond words. Sometimes, though, no matter how content I feel with you, I do miss having Sofia at home.”
    “I do too, but right now, I’m happy she’s away at Notre Dame. At least she’s missed all the craziness at home, and I feel like she’s safe, away at school.”
    “Michael, I really love you. You know that,” Samantha said, although as Michael watched her, it was clear there was more. He waited as she finally formulated her thoughts. “But sometimes I wonder if this is really enough for you.”
    Samantha’s question took him by surprise. “Sometimes you come out with the oddest—but most accurate—observations. I’ve got to think about that, but I’ve had enough emotion for one night. I’d like to enjoy my duck.” He felt a sense of relief as he looked at the beautiful arrangement of dark pink, thinly sliced duck breast.
    But as Michael sliced through the tender meat, he couldn’t help but think about Samantha’s question. He knew she was right. His life as it was today was not enough. But the source of his restlessness had nothing to do with Samantha—she and Sofia truly were the joys of his life. No, there was something else happening. It is ironic, he thought, after so many years of keeping my distance from Alex, now that he’s gone, I can’t get him out of my mind.

Chapter 16
    Saint Michael’s Cemetery, Astoria, New York
    November 16, 2009
    “I hate hospitals and cemeteries. You get into one when you’re sick and the other when you’re dead. I guess I don’t like the admissions requirements,” Michael said as he and Skinny Lester approached Alex’s grave.
    Michael often wondered whether the living went to cemeteries to visit the dead or to ruminate about their own lives and mortality. He suspected that as people aged, they were more naturally drawn to where they were ultimately headed.
    Since Alex’s murder, Skinny Lester looked to Michael as if he was worn down and rapidly aging each day. Although only in his midfifties, his health was fragile. Two heart attacks had left him weaker than his tall and lean body appeared to those around him, most of whom seemed to be more horizontally built. Although it was clear to even the most casual observer that his cousin, Fat Lester, was neither in good shape nor good health, Skinny Lester was falling apart, despite looking good and fit.
    Lester took Michael by surprise this morning when he asked if he wanted to visit Alex’s grave.
    Except for an actual funeral, Michael did not go to cemeteries. He remembered taking his father to Saint Michael’s Cemetery several