For Better or Hearse by Laura Durham Page A

you.”
    Viola crossed her arms in front of her. “Fine. Then I won’t come.”
    Richard jumped up and rushed to the wooden sideboard by the window. “I forgot to offer everyone some champagne. We always start off the wedding planning with a toast.”
    This was new. I suspected Richard had made it up to force everyone to have a drink and loosen up. Not a bad plan.
    â€œWhy don’t we worry about the date later and talk about general style,” I said as Richard briskly tore the foil off a champagne bottle. “What’s your vision of the wedding?”
    â€œI want an outdoor ceremony,” Viola started before her mother could speak. “Something very rustic. No formal gardens. And I want to use lots of seasonal flowers and leaves.”
    Okay. Not a bad start. An outdoor, autumn wedding could be beautiful. Maybe this wouldn’t be a disaster after all.
    â€œWhat colors were you thinking for bridesmaids?” Kate asked.
    â€œThey’re going to be called wood nymphs, not bridesmaids, and I thought they could be in body stockings with leaves sewn on.”
    I bit my lip to keep from laughing. This would be one bridesmaid—oops, wood nymph—outfit that no one could ever claim to wear again.
    Mrs. Van de Kamp gave a muffled cry. “You can’t make your friends wear leaf pasties to your wedding.”
    â€œBridesmaids dresses are stupid.” Viola squared hershoulders. “So are bouquets. I want them to carry floral tambourines instead.”
    Now this I wanted to see. Although I doubted she’d have any friends left after she told them they were wearing leotards and shaking tambourines down the aisle. I could see Kate begin to tremble with silent laughter next to me.
    â€œChampagne anyone?” Richard rushed over with a round metal tray of crystal champagne flutes.
    Mrs. Van de Kamp took a glass and downed it in one gulp. Even under her tire track blush, I could see her cheeks burn with anger. I didn’t blame her.
    â€œIs it sulfite free?” Viola gave the tray a suspicious glance.
    â€œNo.” Richard spun on his heel away from her. “Better not have any.”
    â€œI think we should do this at a later date, once Viola has had an opportunity to rethink her ideas.” Mrs. Van de Kamp stood and jerked Viola up by the sleeve. “Thank you, ladies. Richard.” She pulled the girl all the way across the room and out the door as Kate and I hurried to stand up. The door slammed behind them.
    Richard held the tray of champagne in one hand and downed glass after glass with the other. “What the hell was that?”
    â€œExactly my question.” Kate turned to him, her mouth hanging open. “You call those clients normal?”
    Richard hiccuped. “I might have misjudged.”
    â€œMight?” Kate and I said in unison.
    â€œOkay,” Richard admitted. “They’re awful. Can I make it up to you with dinner?”
    â€œThis one is going to cost you.” Kate walked over and snatched the last glass of champagne off the traybefore he could. “I’m in the mood for a French martini at Mie N Yu.”
    Richard put the tray down. “Shall we end the work-day early and try to snag the loft table?”
    â€œLet me run to the ladies’ room while you call ahead,” I said over my shoulder as I walked down the back hall. I paused outside the doors to the bathroom and kitchen, which were side by side. Whose voice was that? I stepped closer to the swinging kitchen door and pressed on it enough so it opened a fraction of an inch.
    â€œI owe you a debt of gratitude for what you did.” Marcello spoke in hushed tones. “We all do.”
    Why the secrecy and whispering? I leaned forward so I could see through the sliver of an opening. Marcello stood to the side holding a cordless phone.
    â€œAfter all these years, he got what he deserved.” Marcello gave a soft chuckle.