Murder in Paradise (Paradise Series) by Deborah Brown Page B

Dickie.” Dickie Vanderbilt co-owned Tropical Slumber Funeral Home with his partner, Raul. I’d met him at My Aunt Elizabeth’s funeral and we’d become friends.
    Mac moved closer to listen. This was a bad habit she picked up from Fab.
    “I’m cashing in one of those IOUs you gave me. I need you to escort a body to a funeral in Miami this afternoon. Raul and I need to arrive ahead of the deceased to make sure everything goes smoothly. This is a VIP burial and they are demanding all the bells. I had no one else to call.”
    A dead body! I wanted to pass out. “Dickie, I...uh…no!”
    Mac made a face. “Eww,” she whispered.
    “You won’t have any contact with the body, it’s a ride along. I wouldn’t ask you, but I have no one else I trust––and you did promise.”
    “I’m on way,” I sighed.
    My phone rang again and this time it was Creole. “Did you find her?” he asked.
    “I’m being followed. Is my phone tapped?”
    The long pause gave me my answer. “I don’t know,” he said.
    I hung up on him. “Can I trade phones with you?” I asked Mac. “Before you answer, mine’s being listened to, or whatever they do, by the cops.”
    “Follow me.” Mac crooked her finger and headed to the office. She pulled open her desk drawer and handed me a phone and a charger cord. “This is an extra office phone I keep on hand since the jerk ran into the electrical pole and phone service was out for two days. I keep it charged so it’s ready to use. It’s pay-by-the-minute and not registered to anyone.”
    “I’ll see you later. Dickie’s waiting for me.” I reached in the drawer and put two aspirin in my pocket, just in case.
    “Why do you get the dead people jobs?” Mac asked.
    Good question.
    I shook my head. “Just lucky I guess.”
    “I’ll take an IOU and use it right now,” Mac said. “You know Shirl, she broke up with her boyfriend. He kicked her out after telling her she could stay until her new place was ready, and that won’t be for a few days.” Shirl worked as a nurse at Tarpon Hospital, was a little crazy, and Mac’s best friend. I liked her directness. You never had to wonder what was on her mind; she’d tell you.
    “You know my rule—no more long-term tenants. Give me your word she’ll be out in a few days and won’t be fornicating in the pool.”
    “You’ll never know she’s here,” Mac promised, holding up her hand.
    As I drove out of the driveway, I noticed a brand new sheriff car parked half way down the block. The city had bought several unmarked Ford sedans, but the limo tint was the giveaway, the windows were totally blacked out.
    I laughed. Wait until he had to report back about my next stop, Tropical Slumber Funeral Home.

CHAPTER 13
    Unless you were a long time local, you wouldn’t know that the funeral home got its start as a drive-through hot dog stand. It had three previous owners and each one added an addition to make it an architectural oddity. I parked opposite the front door in the vacant parking lot, and walked across the red carpet. At least I wouldn’t be crashing someone’s funeral.
    Dickie opened the door and looked around before letting me in. “Were you followed?” He triple locked the door.
    To say Dickie was odd would be an understatement. Today, he seemed downright paranoid. “What?”
    Fab walked out of one of the slumber rooms disheveled and looking tired. “How’s my cat?”
    I rushed over and hugged her. “I’m so happy to see you. I gave Jazz bologna, but I think he likes it better when you feed him your meat surprises. You’re hiding here?” I turned to Dickie. “Are you okay?”
    “Miss Fabiana’s a good guest,” Dickie said.
    Much to my surprise, he didn’t look like the scared rabbit that he usually did when Fab came around. His usually pale face had a hint of color today.
    Fab, hands on her hips, had a shocked look on her face. “Really, Madison, you’re not the only one with party manners. Besides, who would look