The core skill in advancing most any investigation is communication. Such was the case when our investigator was called to gain possession of a female corpse.
They hated each other. Her father. Her husband. Dad was arrogantly ambitious. Husband was pathetically good-for-nothing. Yet, they had one thing in common -her. She loved them both. She left them prematurely and unexpectedly. They blamed each other.
Husband had no money to place her where they both believed she belonged. Dad spared no expense. When the day came to place the body, they could not agree. Husband demanded a placard with loving words. Afterall, he had the final say. The State said so.Â
Dad wanted every grain of husband's memory removed from her place of rest. The mortuary got caught in the middle and refused to grant either any final say until a resolution was reached.
On a recommendation, our investigator was brought into the picture. He'd negotiated tougher circumstances but, this was the first time it involved a decedent: a daughter and a wife.
Delicate emotions lay bare. Guarantees were discussed. Slowly. Cautiously. Tactfully. They came together.
No hugs. The rain drizzled gently. No condolences. No words. She was laid to rest.
In the cold distance, the wind began to howl.