Something's Knot Kosher Read Online Free Page A

am.”
    Towsley’s eye fluttered wildly as he scanned Birdie’s overalls. “You’re Mrs. Watson? The banker’s wife?”
    When Birdie didn’t respond, Towsley recovered his composure and grasped her hand in both of his. “Of course, dear lady. No need to fret. I will make this process simple and easy. Just come with me to my office and we’ll get started.”
    Lucy’s eyebrow arched at the exchange, and she glanced at me with silent disapproval. I rolled my eyes and grabbed one of Birdie’s arms. Lucy took the other, and we marched behind Chester Towsley into a dark paneled office.
    The mortician arranged three chairs in front of his broad desk and took a seat behind it. “I understand Mr. Watson is still with the coroner?”
    Birdie nodded.
    His slender fingers slid two documents and a pen across the desk toward Birdie. “Well, the first thing we need to do is sign these papers. The first tells the coroner Pearly Gates has permission to retrieve Mr. Watson’s remains once they are released. The second is a contract authorizing Pearly Gates to handle Mr. Watson’s funeral and burial. I’ll fill in the details as we go along.” He sat back and folded his hands. “Do we have any questions so far?”
    Birdie slid the papers back across the desk and glared. “You just told me what you want, Mr. Towsley. Now I’m going to tell you what I need.”
    Lucy looked at me and a smile curled the corner of her mouth. Our friend Birdie usually treated everyone with kindness, but she hated being patronized. Towsley had made a big mistake when he addressed her as if she were simple and helpless.
    His left eye quivered. “Of course, dear lady . . . Mrs. Watson. I meant no offense.”
    Birdie leaned forward. “My husband wished to be buried with his relatives in McMinnville. I want you to prepare his remains and take him there.”
    â€œMcwhere?”
    â€œMcMinnville, Oregon. Just south of Portland. In the Willamette Valley.”
    â€œAh. Portland shouldn’t be a problem. We’ve handled similar requests.”
    â€œAnd, of course, I want to accompany my husband’s body.”
    Great! This is the perfect opportunity to get Birdie safely out of town, as Beavers suggested last night. Lucy and I exchanged a knowing glance.
    â€œOf course.” Towsley smiled. “We’ll arrange transportation for both you and Mr. Watson on the same flight.”
    Birdie bit her bottom lip. “Oh, dear. That’s the thing. I don’t fly.”
    Towsley briefly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Well, I haven’t done this before, but I’ll look into booking passage on the train.”
    Birdie’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, no! I could never go on another train. Not after what happened the last time.”
    â€œI’m sorry?” Towsley peered at her.
    â€œI rode on a train that derailed back in the sixties. Hundreds of poor souls were killed and injured. I’m still haunted by nightmares. I swore I’d never get on another train again. And I haven’t.”
    Never in our sixteen years of friendship had Birdie ever told us about a train accident. I leaned toward her. “Really? You never mentioned any of this before. Where did it happen?”
    â€œIndia.”
    Whoa! This was a whole side of Birdie Watson I never suspected. What was the story behind that little detail? “India! Really? How come you never told us you traveled to India?”
    Birdie waved her hand. “I don’t know. I don’t like to think about the past.” She turned to Towsley. “We’ll have to drive Russell to Oregon.”
    Towsley shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. “Very well. We could arrange to have someone transport Mr. Watson in a decedent vehicle, but the trip will take two to three days and be very costly. Are you sure you don’t want to fly him to his