Chapter 6 chapter Five

At Orly Airport, a limousine was waiting to take them to the Athens Plaza Hotel. When they arrived, the manager said, "Your suites are ready, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens." "Thank you." They booked suite 310.The manager opened the door and Diana and Richard walked in.Suddenly Diana froze.There were five or six of her paintings hanging on the wall.She turned to look at Richard. "I—how is this—?" Richard looked innocent: "I don't know. I guess the people here also have extremely high taste." Diana gave him a long, passionate kiss. Paris is a mythical world.Their first stop was Givenchy, to shop for their outfits, and then to Louis Vuitton, to buy bags for new clothes.

They walked leisurely along the Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde and watched the world-famous Arc de Triomphe, Bourbon Palace and Madeleine Church.They walked along the Place Vendôme and spent the whole day in the Louvre.They wandered in Rodin's sculpture park, and enjoyed romantic dinners at Three Happy Restaurant and Private Kitchen Restaurant. The only thing that bothered Diana was the phone calls Richard received at odd hours. "Who's calling?" Diana asked once, at three o'clock in the morning, after Richard had finished the call. "Just routine business."

In the middle of the night? "Diana! Diana!" She was awakened from contemplation.Caroline Tell stood in front of her: "Are you all right?" "I—I'm fine." Caroline put her arms around Diana. "You need time. It's only been a few days." She hesitated: "By the way, have you made arrangements for the funeral?" funeral.The saddest word in the English language.Smells of death, echoes of despair. "I-I haven't-can-" "I'll arrange it for you. I'll choose the coffin and—" "No!" the word blurted out, and even Diana herself hadn't expected it to be so blunt.

Caroline looked at her, puzzled. Diana's voice trembled when she spoke again: "Don't you understand? This is—it's the last thing I can do for Richard. I'm going to make his funeral special. He's going to want all of his All of his friends were there to say goodbye to him." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Diana—" "I've got to choose Richard's coffin and make sure he -- he sleeps comfortably." Caroline was speechless. Earl Greenberg was in his office when the call came that afternoon. "Diana Stevens calling you." Oh bad.Greenberg remembered the slap she had received the last time he saw her.what now?It is very likely that something new will come out.He picked up the microphone: "Inspector Greenberg."

"I'm Diana Stevens. I'm calling for two reasons. The first is to apologize. I behaved poorly and I really feel sorry for you." He was taken aback. "You don't have to apologize, Mrs. Stevens. I understand what you've been through." he waits.silence. "You said you called for two purposes." "Yes. My husband's—" her voice broke, "my husband's body is held somewhere by the police. How can I get Richard back? I'm at Dalton Funeral Home for his—his funeral arrangements." The desperation in her voice made him cringe: "Mrs. Stevens, I'm afraid there are still some formalities to go through. First, the coroner's office must file the autopsy report, and then notify everyone—" He paused for a moment, then did Make a decision: "Let's do this—you're mentally stressed enough. I'll make arrangements for you. Everything will be done in two days."

"Oh. I—I'm grateful. Very grateful—" Her voice cracked, and the phone disconnected. Earl Greenberg sat very still for a long time, thinking about Diana Stevens and the pain she was going through.Then he went through the formalities. Dalton Funeral Home is located east of Madison Avenue.It is a two-story majestic building with the facade of a southern mansion.Inside, the decor is elegant and understated, with soft lighting and the rustling of pale curtains and draperies. Diane said to the receptionist, "I have an appointment with Mr. Jones. Diane Stevens." "Thank you."

The receptionist spoke a few words into a microphone, and a few minutes later a gray-haired, earnest man came out to greet Diana. "I'm Ron Jones. We're on the phone. I know how hard it can be at a time like this, Mrs. Stevens, and it's our duty to lighten your load. Just tell me what's on your mind and we'll make sure it happens own wishes." Diana said hesitantly, "I—I don't even know what to ask for." Jones nodded. "Let me explain. Our services include a coffin, a memorial service for your friends, a plot of land in the cemetery, and burial." He hesitated. "According to what I read in the newspaper In the circumstances of your husband's death, Mrs. Stevens, you may wish to prepare a closed coffin for the memorial service, lest—”

"No!" Jones looked at her in surprise: "But—" "I want the coffin open. I want Richard to--see all his friends before he--" Her voice died away. Jones looked at her sympathetically: "I see. Let me make a suggestion, then, that we have a very good make-up artist who will be there"—he said gracefully—"where necessary. Will you?" Richard wouldn't like it, but—"Okay." "One more thing. We need to get the clothes you want your husband buried in." She looked at him in astonishment. "Clothes—" Diana could feel a stranger's cold hand harassing Richard's naked body, and she shuddered.

"Mrs. Stevens?" I should dress Richard myself.But I can't bear to see him the way he is now.I want to remember— "Mrs. Stevens?" Diana swallowed in her throat. "I haven't thought about—" her throat caught. "I'm sorry." She couldn't go on. He watched her stagger out the door and hailed a cab. Diana returned home, went into the room and opened Richard's wardrobe.His suits hung on two racks.Each set holds precious memories.There was the light brown suit Richard wore the night they met in the gallery.I love your curves.They have the same delicacy as the curves of Rossetti or Manet.Can she give up this set?cannot.

Her fingers caressed the next piece.It was worn by Richard at the picnic when they got caught in the rain. Your place, or my place? This is not a one night stand. I know. How could she not save it? The next piece is a pinstripe suit.You like French food.I know of a French restaurant that is amazing... Navy blue suit jacket... suede jacket... Diana hugged a blue suit and wrapped her sleeves around herself.I don't give up on one thing.Each piece is a treasured memory. "I can't." She sobbed, grabbed one and rushed out the door. The next afternoon, there was a voice message on Diana's phone: "Mrs. Already in touch. Feel free to follow your own schedule..." After a short pause, "I wish you all the best...bye."

Diana called Ron Jones of the funeral home: "I understand that my husband's body has arrived at your place." "Yes, Mrs. Stevens. I've had my make-up done and we've received your clothes. Thank you." "I suppose—is there a funeral this Friday?" "Friday is all right. We'll take care of all the necessary details then. I suggest eleven o'clock in the morning." Richard will say goodbye to me in three days.Until I meet him again. On Thursday morning, Diana was busy preparing the details of the funeral, checking the long list of guests and mourners, when the phone rang. "Mrs. Stevens?" "yes." "I'm Ron Jones. I just want to let you know that I received your file and made the changes, as you requested." Diana was baffled: "Documents—?" "Yes. The messenger delivered yesterday, with your letter." "I didn't send any—" "Frankly, I'm a little surprised, but, of course, it's your decision." "my decision--?" "We cremated your husband's body an hour ago."