The Amateur
The funeral came around much too soon.
Martha's pastor seemed much less agitated, surrounded by his
familiar flock. I recognized many of Martha's friends. I had
thought about inviting some people from work, but I really
didn't want to see any of them. Some of the guys from the
gun club were there, talking to one another. They had come
to shake hands and say the usual things, but they could see
I was not up for socializing.
The detective was there. I had expected that. There were
two people with him -- the guy O'Toole, and another guy who
was trying to be discrete while taking pictures of everyone.
Another guy was taking pictures also. He was with a fellow
talking into a small recorder. I assumed they were the press.
The funeral seemed to go on forever. The pastor had a long
rambling sermon about Jesus and heaven, and then it seemed
like everyone in the church had to get up and say something
about Martha. Some were incoherently blubbering, which set
off others in the crowd.
People from Martha's various volunteer projects got up and
said how much they'd miss her, or what a great human being
she had been. The day was hot, and all the guys in suits
were sweating uncomfortably, wishing there was somewhere to
sit down.
The sun was still far from setting when it was all over, and
everyone had to hold my hand or shake it as the left. The
detective held back to be the last.
"You didn't mention your wife volunteered at the Pilgrim
Psychiatric Center," he said.
"She volunteered a lot." I said. I waited for him to explain.
"Ralph Petersen was a patient there," he said.
I became interested. This seemed to perk up O'Toole.
"Did she know him?" I asked. I thought for a while, then said,
"I think she would have mentioned if someone she knew had been
shot."
Murphy thought about that. "I'll check that out," he said.