Oh, sure. That would be a great way to impress Etienne. Shirk my responsibility. Be uncooperative. Whine. Smart people hid those parts of their personalities until after the wedding vows were spoken. "I'll do it," I said reluctantly, "it's just that, it comes as a surprise."

"Death always comes as a surprise, Madame, even when you're expecting it."

I turned back into the room and eyed the heap of packages I was supposed to stuff into Andy's coffin on the trip home. I held the urn up to gauge its measurements.

By my calculations, it was going to be a tight fit.

At seven o'clock I walked into the lobby of the hotel to find the entire tour group huddled around coffee tables and sitting shoulder to shoulder on the settees and sofas. Lucille Rassmuson was absent, as would be expected, but the other two Dicks and their wives were there, which indicated to me that they hadn't heard the news about Dick Rassmuson's death yet. I waved to Nana, then sauntered over to one of the lobby's marble columns to use it as a backrest.

"Looks like we're all here," announced Wally. "After the meeting you can purchase the group photo we had taken at the Lion Monument in the bar area."

"How much?" asked Dick Teig.

"Fourteen American dollars."

"That's too much," replied Dick.

"Then don't buy the damn thing!" snapped Wally.

I suspected Wally had been spending a little too much time around Sonya.

"You don't have to get crabby about it," Dick shot back.

"We could buy one copy and have it reproduced in the Pills Etcetera photo machine back home," offered Jane.

"That would only cost four ninety-five per photo, not including tax."

Wally fanned his hands through his hair. "Look, I'm sorry. It's been a stressful day, and that's part of the reason I called this meeting. I have some tragic news to report to you, people. Dick Rassmuson appears to have suffered a massive heart attack on the way back to Lucerne today. I'm sorry to have to tell you that he has passed away."

A collective gasp. Hands flying to mouths. Then silence as the news sank in.

"Lucille is with the authorities at the moment. She's been sedated and will probably need someone to stay with her tonight if any of you would like to volunteer."

Helen and Grace allowed tears to stream unashamedly down their cheeks. George Farkas hung his head. Jane tented her hands over her face. Dick Teig and Dick Stolee sat in stunned silence, probably realizing there were only two of them now. It had to be hard to lose a Dick. Bernice sat quietly watching how everyone else was reacting.

Lars Bakke stood up. "I'm only speaking for myself, but I think this tour has been cursed from the beginning. The weather's been foul. The food's been inedible. Three people have died." He paused for effect. "I don't know about anyone else, but I say we get the hell out of here before anyone else dies. I say we get on the first plane heading home and cut our losses while we still can!"