The Silent Banshee (A Brimstone Witch Mystery Book 5) Page 3

  Fiona sniffed and said, “That wasn’t professional of me. I do apologise.”

  “That’s okay. We’re not here for your professional services anyway.” I gave her a smile. “Although, if we were, I must say that I am impressed with your business premises. I love the bright colours you’ve got in here. It makes it a welcoming place.” My nose wrinkled. “I’m not sure that sounds right considering the business you’re in.”

  Fiona smiled. “Why should death be a miserable experience? Why can’t it be fun and a celebration of life? That’s my opinion, and that’s the basis of my business.” She waved her hand to the wall behind the reception desk. “My clients share my sentiments and I have many happy customers.”

  I looked at the cards pinned to the wall. They were all thank-you cards.

  I said, “I don’t know much about Dana Murphy. I’ve spoken to my gran, Esther Winter, and she’s told me how Dana spoke to citizens in Brimstone about their forthcoming deaths. Can you tell me how you worked with Dana, please?”

  “Of course. Would you like to come through to the lounge? It’s much more comfortable in there. I can get you some refreshments too.”

  We followed Fiona down a short hallway and into a large room. There was a huge window that looked out onto a beautiful garden which was packed with flowers. There was a water feature at one side and water flowed over butterfly-shaped stones. Flecks of silver in the stones sent tiny rainbows floating upwards. It was quite mesmerising and I found myself transfixed.

  Fiona put her hand on my arm and said, “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I like to have calming things for my clients to look at. Despite my feelings about death, it isn’t an easy subject for everyone. Would you like tea or coffee? Do take a seat on the sofa.”

  “I’d love a coffee, please. Thank you.” I sat on the sofa and tried to keep my eyes away from the fascinating water feature. The little rainbows floated upwards and then melted. It was like one of those lava lamps, but much more beautiful.

  I must have gone into a trance again because I felt a nudge at my side as Fiona placed a hot cup in my hands. I noticed Stanley sitting on the carpet in front of me with a saucer of milk in front of him.

  Fiona sat on a chair opposite me and said, “What would you like to know first?”

  I took a drink of the coffee and then placed it on the table in front of me. The coffee was light and mellow; perfect for this time of the day. “Gran said you worked with Dana. Can you explain how that worked?”

  Fiona nodded. “Do you know how Dana approached someone? She saw colours around them and knew they were ready for the next journey in their lives. Dana could tell by the intensity of the colours how long they had left. That was a useful thing to tell someone. She visited the retirement homes in Brimstone and spoke to the residents. When she located the ones close to death, she would talk to them about how long they had left, and who was waiting for them.” Fiona looked towards the window and smiled to herself. “She was so kind and understanding. She would listen to any concerns and worries that someone might have. She wouldn’t leave until they’d exhausted their questions.” She looked back at me. “By the time she’d finished speaking to someone, they were almost eager for their death to occur.”

  “Gran said Dana worked on a commission basis. Once she’d finished speaking to someone, would she then mention your company?”

  “She would. She had my business cards and leaflets and would hand them out after her conversation with a resident. There was never a hard sell and she left the information with them. She later told me who she’d given the leaflets to so that I’d be prepared if they contacted me. Dana explained to the residents that I would take care of all the funeral arrangements, even the food and travel for everyone. I could also arrange the farewell parties for them. The residents at the retirement homes are keen on their farewell parties. Some of the parties last for days. If you’re going to say goodbye, you may as well make it a memorable goodbye.”

  I picked my cup up and took another drink before asking, “What sort of parties did the residents have?”

  “All sorts! It depended on the resident who was going to die and what they liked to do. We’ve had dwarves who loved the mining aspect of their lives and insisted everyone searched in the garden for hidden treasure. There was a fairy who loved cakes and had three days of afternoon teas with the most amazing baked goods. Even the sandwiches were made of sponge cake. I remember a brownie who loved unicorns and hired a fleet of them to fly her and her guests around Brimstone and over the mountains. Then there was the gnome who loved dancing and almost sent himself into an early grave with his energetic jiving.” Fiona smiled at the memory. “Then there’s the coffins. Why should they be boring? I’ve sold coffins in the shape of cakes, bottles of rum, a huge ball of wool complete with knitting needles sticking out of it, a small oak tree and even an ironing board. That was for a fairy who loved ironing.”

  Stanley looked up from his bowl and said, “I don’t know what sort of coffin I’d have. Maybe a bottle of milk. Or a tub of cream. Or a tin of sardines.” He chuckled. “I love sardines.”

  Fiona looked down at him. “We could accommodate that. I know a team of skilled coffin makers. They can make anything.”

  I frowned. I didn’t want to talk about a possible coffin for Stanley. I said to Fiona, “Once someone had contacted you, was that the end of your involvement with Dana?”

  Fiona shook her head. “No, Dana helped me with the farewell parties and funerals too. The residents wanted her near them in the limited time they had left. Some of them needed constant reassurance. Dana had a comforting presence about her. She didn’t mind at all. She liked to be with them as they embarked on their last journey. I was grateful for her help and insisted she take money from me. She would have provided her services for free but I told her goodwill and thanks don’t pay the bills.”

  “Did you go to the farewell parties and funerals?” I asked.

  “We did. We were invited. Dana never said no to anyone. I couldn’t always make it but Dana never missed any. She was the least selfish person I knew.” Her eyes welled up. “I don’t understand why someone would hurt her.”

  “Did she have any enemies?”

  “None at all.” Fiona paused. “Not that I know of.”

  “When did you last see her?”

  “It was yesterday morning at the retirement home. She’d just finished speaking to a gremlin about his mum. She said she’d catch up with me later.”

  I said, “How did she look?”

  Fiona considered the matter. “She did look tired. She worked too hard and put everyone else’s needs before her own.” She frowned. “Now that I think about it, she’d been looking tired for the last few weeks. She looked distracted at times too. I asked her if everything was okay, and she said yes.”

  I studied Fiona. There was worry in her eyes. I said, “There’s something you’re not telling me. I need to know everything, even the smallest detail. It could be important.”

  Fiona gave me a small nod. “The residents who Dana spoke to were grateful to her. They liked knowing when they were going to die and who was waiting for them. But some of their relatives resented Dana. I heard a few of them having harsh words with her following a funeral or farewell party.”

  “Why? What did they say?”

  “They weren’t happy about the amount of money their deceased ones had spent on the parties and funerals. They thought the money should go to them. I put that down to greed. You should be able to do whatever you want with your money. If you want a lavish farewell party, that’s your prerogative. But some of the relatives didn’t see it that way and blamed Dana because they ended up with a smaller inheritance.”

  “How did Dana cope with that?” I asked.

  “She was diplomatic and said it was up to the resident what they did with their money. I know these confrontations upset her.”

  “Had anyone upset her recently?”

  “I’m not sure. We haven’t ha
d many funerals recently. But I know Dana has spoken to four residents in the last month. They are due to die soon and we’ve been busy with their arrangements. Perhaps some of their relatives spoke to Dana about the costs involved?”

  I said, “That’s something I’ll look into. Do you have the names of those residents?”

  “I do. I’ll get them for you.” Fiona frowned. “Do you think one of their annoyed relatives killed Dana?”

  “It’s something I’ll look into,” I repeated. “I noticed your brother has a funeral business too. Did he ever work with Dana?”

  Fiona’s face twisted in disgust. “I don’t wish to talk about my brother. You can speak to him about Dana.” She abruptly stood up. “I’ll get those four names for you.” She left the room without a backward glance.

  I looked down at Stanley and said, “It looks like we’ll be paying a visit to that hideous building next door.”

  Chapter 6

  Fiona didn’t actually throw us out of the building, but she made it clear she was too busy to talk to us. She gave us the name of the four residents who Dana had spoken to recently and then walked us to the front door. It closed behind us the second we stepped out onto the crazy paving.

  Stanley said, “It looks like you hit a raw nerve by mentioning her brother. I wonder why?”

  “We’ll soon find out. Brace yourself; we’re going over to the dark side.”

  The fence separating the funeral homes was low enough for me to stride over but it seemed rude to do so. Stanley and I walked down the crazy path, turned left at the bottom and then along the straight no-nonsense stone path next door.

  Stanley shivered. “I feel like the temperature has dropped. Look at the colour of that grass. I didn’t know you could get black grass. There isn’t one single flower in this garden.”

  I kept my eyes away from the depressing garden and the black grass. The single-storey building in front of us was getting my attention. There was a large door in the middle which was painted black. The windows on either side of the door were slightly crooked and gave the impression of eyes glowering at us. Grey curtains were pulled halfway down which intensified that feeling. I looked at the sign above the door again even though I knew what it said. It was true that death was no laughing matter here.

  We stopped at the door and I noticed the door knocker was in the shape of a coffin. I lifted it and knocked twice. Creepy-sounding chimes sounded inside the building and sent chills down my spine.

  The door opened and a small man with a bowed back looked out at us. He was wearing a butler’s outfit complete with white gloves. I’d seen similar ones in old films. A butler? A real butler? Or was this Fiona’s brother?

  “May I help you?” the man asked in a subdued tone. “Are you here to arrange the funeral of a loved one who has sadly passed away? The dear departed who will no longer partake in this life of misery and woe?”

  I shook my head slightly. There was a funny smell coming from him. It was like the smell of dying flowers. It wasn’t an unpleasant smell, but if he’d have been a flower, I’d be putting him on the compost heap around now.

  I said, “I’m looking for Mr Fairfax. Is that you?”

  “Alas, no. I’m only a lowly servant to Mr Fairfax; his butler. I could never aspire to his greatness. Not that I’d want to. I know my position in life. I accept my duties willingly.” He let out a heavy sigh. “I bear my burden without a single complaint. My life is one of servitude.”

  “Right. Yes.” I tried to look past him into the hall. “Is Mr Fairfax in now?”

  The butler gave me a solemn nod. “He is resting. My master needs his rest. Are you sure you don’t have a dead relative to talk about? Perhaps someone you know is under the weather? You could talk to me about them. I like talking about illnesses. I find it a comfort.”

  Stanley took a step closer to me and rested his body against my legs. I didn’t blame him. This gruesome butler was creeping me out too.

  I said brightly, “I’m not here to talk about death.” I stopped. “No, sorry. That’s not strictly true. I am here to talk about death. I’d like to speak to Mr Fairfax about Dana Murphy.”

  The butler’s eyes lit up. “Dana? She died, didn’t she? Who’s doing her funeral? That poor woman has gone to her eternal rest. We should be glad that she no longer has to toil in this world.”

  I was losing my patience. “I want to speak to Mr Fairfax now.”

  The butler bowed his head and opened the door wider. “Of course. I’m forgetting my place. I’m not here to chat about death. I’m here to serve Mr Fairfax. Come in and I’ll take you to him. You can put your broomstick next to the door. It’ll be safe there.”

  “I’d like to keep it with me, thank you.”

  We followed the butler down a dimly lit hallway. I spotted three lamps that were doing a valiant job of trying to illuminate the darkness. It was difficult because the walls and floor were painted black. I tripped over Stanley twice on the way.

  We were led into a large room at the back of the building. It was the same size as the lounge in Fiona’s building, but that’s where the similarity ended. This room had huge windows but they were covered in heavy curtains. Not grey this time, but a dark grubby-looking blue. Tables were placed at angles along two walls. On the tables were coffins with their lids half open. They were all made of dark wood and the interiors showed silky material in shades of grey and dark blue.

  Stanley trembled at my side so I picked him up with my free hand and pulled him close.

  He whispered, “Where has all the colour gone? This is an awful place. I don’t like it.”

  “We won’t stay long,” I whispered back.

  The butler stopped at a coffin in the middle of the room which was on a high table. The lid was closed and the butler rapped on it. The lid was slowly pushed back and the occupant sat up and fixed his penetrating gaze on us.

  I’d seen vampires before and I wasn’t scared of the creature who was now glaring at us. His skin was grey and his eyes black. He wore a black business suit and a grey tie. There was a slight family resemblance to Fiona. If I had to arrange my funeral anytime soon, I knew which sibling I’d be visiting.

  I said, “Are you Fabrice Fairfax?”

  He gave me a silent nod of confirmation.

  I moved closer. “I’m Cassia Winter, and this is Stanley. I’m investigating the death of Dana Murphy and I’d like to speak to you about her.”

  “Would you now?” Fabrice replied in an icy tone.

  The butler twisted his gloved hands in agitation. “Master, I apologise for disturbing you. I did tell the young woman you were resting.”

  Fabrice turned cold eyes towards the butler. “It’s okay, Harry. Death waits for no man. Not even me. You know that as well as I do. Have we got any new corpses yet? Anyone passed over?”

  Harry bowed his head. “Not yet, Master. Would you like me to patrol the streets and see if anyone is looking peaky?”

  Fabrice bestowed him with a small smile. “Yes, Harry, that would be wonderful. Don’t forget to take my business cards. Off you go. I’ll deal with our visitors.”

  Harry bowed again before leaving the room. No wonder his back was like that if he was constantly bowing.

  Fabrice turned his attention to us and tapped the coffin he was sitting in. “I’m testing out a new product. Do you like it? I can give you a discount on this one. Have you made arrangements for your funeral yet? We have payment plans to suit any budget. Feel free to try any of the coffins out.”

  “I’m not here to talk about my death, thank you. I’ve been speaking to your sister about Dana Murphy.”

  Anger flickered in Fabrice’s eyes. “I hope you weren’t too offended by Fiona’s attitude to death. It’s disrespectful, to say the least. All those colours! It’s an insult to the departed and their grieving relatives.”

  “I liked it,” Stanley said.

  Fabrice gave him a disdainful look. “Fun is overrated. You can’t go around having fun all t
he time. It’s not right.”

  I asked him, “Did you ever work with Dana? Did you ask her to recommend you to residents at retirement homes?”

  Fabrice straightened his tie. “I did give her my business cards. I saw how much work she was giving my sister and thought it would be wise if she gave out my cards too. Business is slow around here for me. I did ask Dana if she would be a professional mourner at some of my funerals, but she declined. She said she didn’t do that kind of work. Which is a pity. I imagined she’d make a wonderful mourner.”

  “Did you get any business through Dana’s work?”

  He shook his head. “I had a few enquiries, but when the individual came here to inspect my coffins, they were disappointed and said it wasn’t what they wanted.” His eyes narrowed. “Dana convinced them to use my sister’s business. Fiona put all sorts of strange ideas into those residents at the homes about death being a welcome event. Death isn’t like that at all. It’s a serious business and should be treated as such. I told Dana this many a time and told her to refer me to those residents of hers, but after a while, she stopped giving my cards out. She was a fool.”

  “When did you last speak to Dana?” I asked.

  Fabrice looked away. “I can’t remember. I’ve been too busy trying out coffins.” He looked my way and I was startled at the cunning I saw in his eyes. “I’m expecting my business to improve soon. Fiona won’t be able to rely on Dana to get clients for her any longer. Those residents at the retirement home will appreciate my no-nonsense funerals with my affordable rates. They won’t need to waste money on those frivolous farewell parties now.”

  Stanley said what was on my mind, “So, you’ll benefit by Dana’s death. Is that right?”

  Fabrice shrugged. “Death waits for no man. Or banshee. What’s done is done.” He ran his hand over the open lid of the coffin. “I do like this model. I’ll order some more. I suspect I’ll be selling a lot of these in the future. Are you sure I can’t interest you in one? You could make a down payment now.”