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about bar bouncer not being a lucrative profession, though I guess a few people might have inferred that from the way I dressed. Nor did I speculate what I was going to do now, since I apparently was no longer a repo man. What I did say is that everyone was welcome to head over to Kalkaska for a wake in Milt’s honor at the Black Bear.
    Kermit came up to me to thank me for my words. As always with Kermit, there was an awkwardness between us, even under these circumstances. I told him how sorry I was, stumbled a little through the words untimely, premature accident, not sure what you’re supposed to say to the nephew of a man who likely took his own life.
    â€œWell, not premature,” Kermit murmured sadly. “Uncle Milt had cancer. It had recently metabolized to his liver.”
    â€œI had no idea,” I replied, shocked.
    â€œHe wanted it kept a secret.”
    I looked involuntarily at the casket, oddly hurt Milt hadn’t confided in me about his illness. Kermit followed my gaze. “Is that why it’s closed?” I asked him.
    I instantly regretted asking such a unfeeling question. Kermit shook his head. “No. Actually, he was impounded. The lid is down because he’s not in there.”
    â€œImpounded?” I responded, baffled.
    â€œYeah. We thought the sheriff wasn’t going to be investigatory, so we scheduled this as soon as possible. By the time we found out the law wanted to look into things, the onens were routed.” He saw me go blank at the unfamiliar word. “It’s a Jewish thing, it means family of the dead. Uncle Milt’s relatives. They’re all here. But they don’t know that my uncle … isn’t.”
    â€œThat’s got to be really hard, Kermit,” I said inadequately.
    I wanted to say more, but Kermit was looking over my shoulder. “I think she wants to talk to you,” he said, withdrawing politely as I turned and saw Marget coming at me. I froze in place, steeling myself. “Hello, Marget,” I said in a tone softened to suit the circumstances.
    â€œHello, Ruddy. How is my daughter?”
    â€œKatie’s doing well. She started a new job as a receptionist in a real estate office. Same one that Alan worked in. And she took the test, the one to get her license to sell property. We haven’t yet heard if she passed.”
    Marget’s eyes fluttered a little. Marget was still married to Alan when he died. “I didn’t know that,” she replied quietly. “Well. How are the wedding plans going?”
    â€œFine,” I said. They weren’t fine, actually, but Katie wouldn’t want me talking about that with anyone, especially her mother.
    â€œHave you sent invitations?”
    â€œNot yet.”
    She nodded. Her eyes wanted to ask me if she would be receiving one, but I knew she dreaded the answer.
    â€œWell, I should get to the Black Bear,” I said formally. “Free drinks, I imagine we’ll be busy. Thank you for the way you took care of Milt.”
    â€œRuddy. Can you talk to her? She won’t return my phone calls.”
    â€œShe doesn’t want to speak to you.”
    â€œShe’s my daughter,” Marget said in quiet anguish.
    â€œMarget. You murdered her father.”
    She blinked at my words. She was the type of person who could look at you with warm sympathy, but I always knew there was something much tougher in there, and I could see it in her icy expression now. “There was an investigation. There were no charges. The D.A. said there was no evidence,” she hissed.
    â€œThat doesn’t change what happened.”
    My soon-to-be mother-in-law glared at me. “I would think that you of all people would understand.”
    â€œNo. It’s not the same. What I did was an accident, Marget.”
    â€œIt is the same. I had nothing to do with what happened to Alan. They did it.”
    I regarded her outraged expression, waiting for