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funeral home and cemetery to have her transported to? We don’t have all that information yet.”
    “Yes, we certainly will. Why don’t you take a seat for a moment? I’ll have the coroner come out and speak to both of you.”
    “Thank you.” Melanie walked away, filled two Dixie cups with water, and sat down next to Abby. “Here, drink this. Do you need any antacids or aspirin? I have a whole pharmacy in my purse.”
    “I’m okay, but thanks. You’ll stay with me today, won’t you? I’m really going to need your help.”
    “Sure, I will. I’ll call in a few days of vacation at work. They owe me plenty.”
    A middle-aged gentleman wearing a white lab coat came out from the double doors to their left. He wore thick bifocals and had graying temples. He approached Abby and Melanie, asking which of them was family of the deceased. Abby stood, her eyes swollen and bloodshot, and explained that she was Charlotte Melrose’s daughter. The coroner sat next to Abby and introduced himself as Dr. David Harmon. He asked if Abby wanted her mother to have an autopsy but said that in his opinion, it wasn’t necessary. Her body had extensive trauma caused by the collision. Nothing else was necessary to determine the cause of death.
    “Will you be able to identify your mother, Miss Melrose? You can look through the window if you don’t think you’re capable of anything else. We have her personal effects in a locker to give you before you leave. Whenever you’re ready, but please, take your time.”
    “Okay, I guess I’m ready. Mel, will you go with me? I’m only going to look through the window. I don’t think I can do any more than that.”
    “Of course I will.”
    “All right, ladies, just follow me to the window. I’ll go inside and prepare her. When I open the curtain, just nod your head, then I’ll close it again. That’s all you need to do.”
    Abby gave Mel a frightened look and held her hand as they followed Dr. Harmon. Abby’s hand was shaking through the tight grip. The curtain opened, Abby gasped, nodded her head, and turned to face the wall. Within five seconds, it was over, and the curtain was closed once more.
    Dr. Harmon came out and gave Abby a comforting embrace, then he explained the identification process. “All you have to do now is sign the form acknowledging you identified the deceased as your mother, tell us how many copies of the death certificate you need, and sign the consent form agreeing to keep her here until we release her to the funeral home. I’m very sorry for your loss, Miss Melrose. Please follow me.”

Chapter Five
    Abby signed all the papers, gathered her mother’s belongings, and left with Melanie. Back at the house, she sat at the kitchen table with Melanie and Betsy, a stiff drink in front of each of them, and began scrolling through her mother’s cell phone.
    “I think this is the easiest and fastest way to find most of the people we’ll need to contact. She told me she was going to her attorney’s office today. I’m sure his phone number would be in her call list.” Abby checked the calls her mother had made in the last two days, but surprisingly, the only calls were to the Historic Charleston Foundation and the Art Institute of Charleston. “I don’t understand this. She said she was going to a board meeting luncheon today, then to her attorney’s office after that. Mel, what time did we leave Crabby’s?”
    “I think it was around two o’clock. Why?” Mel took a sip of her single malt scotch and waited for Abby’s reply.
    “That’s right, and my mom already had the accident by then. Betsy, I was home by two fifteen, wasn’t I?”
    “Yes, you were, Miss Abby.”
    “That means my mom went to the luncheon but never stopped at her attorney’s office. Either she changed her mind, or she was stopping at the house first for some reason. Either way, we’ll never know. I’ll have to look online for all the attorneys in Charleston and see if any of them