“So, she got him back in bed, and he told her that he loved her. That she reminded him of his daughter. Then he died,” said Ginny still crying. By this time, Patrick, George, Angie and Ginny were sitting in the kitchen. “Oh, and he said we were to have all of his stuff.”
Angie wrapped her arms around Ginny and the two of them cried. Patrick motioned to George. The two men walked over to the far side of the kitchen.
“Are you thinking there is going to be trouble?” asked George.
“Depends if those two paramedics decide to make trouble,” said Patrick. “We just need to be ready. It’s happened before, and with all the books out about shifters and vampires, who knows what will happen.”
“Yeah. My Gran said there was a horrid time when she was a child. Whole families moved in the middle of the night just so that people would leave them alone,” said George.
“Well, I just hope no one gets any pictures,” said Patrick. “From what Ginny said, he partially shifted to protect Sam.”
“Shit,” was all that George said.
*
Doc found Sam in the kitchen of the B&B. She had locked the room where Brian was and had come to make coffee. “Sam, Dr. Jeff sent a funeral home that deals with good people,” he said not wanting to be overheard saying the word ‘shifter’ as the paramedics were running their mouths about wolfmen and werewolves.
“When will they be here? Betty Jane is due any time.
“They called and said they’d be here in about five minutes,” said Doc.
“Good. Patrick and Ginny will be up in the morning. Said they were coming up with friends,” said Sam.
“Okay. Here’s hoping that Matt and Dave don’t turn this into a circus,” said Doc.
“They better not. Else, I’ll let Patrick eat them,” said Sam.
Doc nodded in agreement.
*
“Sam!” called Betty Jane. She was looking around the lobby and didn’t see anyone. “Sam?”
“Back here dear!” called Sam. She had just taken the coffee cups back to the kitchen. She walked up to Betty Jane and then they headed to Sam’s bedroom.
Doc was sitting in front of the bedroom door. The two men, Donald and James, from the funeral home were there too.
“Howdy Doc,” said Betty Jane. She nodded towards the two morticians. “Shall we get this show on the road?”
Doc stood up and unlocked the door. They all walked into the room and Betty Jane did what was required under the law. “What time did he pass?” she asked.
“About 3am,” said Sam.
“Okay,” she said and walked over to the table to fill out the death certificate. “I take it you’ll hold on to this?” she asked Sam.
“Yeah, at least until we go through his papers and see if there is any next of kin,” said Sam. “You two ready to take care of him?” she asked the morticians.
“Yes ma’am,” said Donald, the taller of the two.
“Then get going. It’s been a long night for all of us,” said Betty Jane. “I’ll send Steve over to steam clean the mattress if you want or haul it off.”
“Thanks Betty Jane. I’ll walk you to the door,” said Sam.
“Good. You can tell me why those two idiots were talking about werewolves,” said Betty Jane as they walked towards the front door.
“You have as good an idea as I do. Just ’cause some old man is a little furry and they startle him awake doesn’t mean he’s unnatural. I think they’re just pissed that I didn’t let them haul the poor old guy off to the hospital to be kept alive and run up bills no one can or will pay,” said Sam.
“Agreed. Some people should just be allowed to die. That man musta been at least 100,” said Betty Jane.
“At least that. He’s got pictures of him in a WWI outfit in his room,” said Sam.
“Oh my. Hope you find some relatives to give that stuff to,” said Betty Jane.
“That’s what I’m going to do later today. After everyone’s gone, I’m taking a nap!” said Sam.
“Don’t blame you. If I hear those two idiots running their mouths, I’ll smack ’em for you,” said Betty Jane. “Bye!”
“Bye dear,” said Sam as she closed the door. She wrote a note and stuck it on the bulletin board stating that the kitchen was available for whoever wanted to cook. Then she headed back to her room.
Donald and James had just left her room as she came around the corner. Donald continued down the hall with the gurney. James came to talk to Sam.
“We’ll cremate him and have his ashes ready for pick up in a day or so. I’ll call you,” he said.
“Thanks James. Was there much… um… mess?” Sam asked.
“No, I don’t think the poor old man had eaten much in the last day or so. Steam cleaning will be real easy. Plus, we got here quickly. If you have any questions, just give me a call,” James said and handed her a card.
Sam thanked him and went into where Doc sat in her room. He was holding the death certificate and starring off into space.
“Wool gathering?” Sam asked.
“Yeah. Too damn early to be up,” he said. “I’m going home to take a nap. I suggest you do the same.”
“I am. Going up to #5 and locking the door. I only have three guests and left them a note to fend for themselves for breakfast,” said Sam.
“Good. See you later,” said Doc and he left the room with her.
Sam locked the door and headed up to room #5.
*
Patrick, Ginny, Luc and Meg were in Luc’s Subaru. George and Angie were following in George’s F150 Ford Truck. They’d packed and left by 4:30am. No traffic at that hour of the morning made for quick travel. Luc signaled the left hand turn that lead up to Spoon River. Once they turned off, Luc slowed down to look for an out of the way parking spot near the Spoon River B&B. Good thing too, as there were a bunch of cars out front. Luc passed them by and turned where Patrick pointed to a fenced off entrance about a block down. George followed.