The Opposite of Dark by Debra Purdy Kong Read Free Book Online Page B

from her anyhow.”
    Casey always had liked Lou’s eclectic tastes and an energy for life as strong as Dad’s had been. When her marriage ended, Lou was one of the few people who hadn’t said, “I never liked Greg.” In fact, he and Greg had been buddies until they got into a fight after Casey ended the marriage. She’d been too busy feeling sorry for herself to ask Lou why he’d sided with her. Now, it didn’t seem important. She was just grateful for his friendship.
    â€œMove it, Casey!” Wesley shouted.
    â€œAll right, all right. Geez.” They didn’t call him Rude Wesley Axelson for nothing. She started to jog. “Later, Lou.”
    â€œI’m looking forward to it.”
    She hurried up the steps.
    â€œAbout bloody time.” Wesley started the bus.
    â€œWould you relax. The day’s barely started and you’re already grumpy.”
    Wesley pulled away fast, forcing Casey to grab the pole behind his chair. She tapped his head with her clutch bag. “Try not to injure the team, Wes.”
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    When Casey returned to her apartment around lunchtime, she collapsed on the sofa. No one had tried to grab her clutch bag all morning, damn it. She would ride again from three to six. Afterward, she’d visit more of Dad’s West Van neighbors and see if anyone had known him.
    She looked up the funeral home’s number and then dialed. “I’d like to speak to the director, please.”
    â€œHe’s not available at the moment,” a woman replied. “May I help you?”
    â€œMy name’s Casey Holland. Your funeral home handled arrangements for my father’s burial at Cedar Ridge Cemetery on March eleventh, three years ago. Only, his body showed up at the morgue yesterday.”
    Her response took a few seconds. “Let me see if I can reach Mr. Nay.”
    Mr. Nay came on the line and tried to sound like he had no food in his mouth. After highlighting events, Casey asked if an exhumation had been ordered. Nay reported that he hadn’t been contacted by anyone, and as far as he knew Marcus Holland was still in plot 352.
    â€œThen what should I do with the second Marcus Holland when his body’s released?”
    â€œUh . . . well, let me consult with the morgue and our head office, and I’ll get back to you.”
    Casey gave him her cell phone and landline numbers. She covered her face with her hands. It was all too weird. Twenty-four hours had passed since this ordeal began. In some ways she felt worse than she had yesterday. The thought of a second funeral made her cringe. The first one was bad enough, especially after some freak trashed Dad’s house, forcing the reception to move to Rhonda’s place. This time, no announcements would be made in the paper.
    Casey felt a headache coming on. Before it got worse, she made a quick call to find out when Dad’s remains could be claimed. After a long wait and a couple of transfers, she learned that Mother, of all people, had asked to claim the body. Since Mother wasn’t next of kin, Casey refused to give consent.
    She wasn’t too surprised that Mother hadn’t tried to contact her about Dad. After all, Casey had made it clear that she didn’t want any contact between them, and Mother hadn’t come to the funeral three years ago. Why did she want his body now? What made her think she had any right to him?
    Casey grabbed a teddy bear from her shelf and threw it across the room. Rhonda used to say it was better to lash out at stuffed animals than people. Soon all the bears were bouncing off the sofa, thumping against walls, or skidding along the floor. Adrenalin pumped with the ferocity that only criminals and her mother could bring on.
    Casey’s vision blurred and the throbbing in her head escalated. Damn. A migraine was coming. She didn’t get them often, but the symptoms could be harsh.