“He’s an elder on the council,” Michael tried again. “He lost his wife a couple of years ago. Gosh, I can’t think of his name!”

“I know who you mean,” Maggie said. “Waterman.”

“Waterson,” Luke and Paul said simultaneously.

“William Waterson,” Bram said. “Paul, you take care of the funeral arrangements so Mom doesn’t have to be bothered with them.”

Paul’s eyelids twitched. “You expect me to pay?”

Bram was patient. “No. If need be, I’ll pay. But if Dad had a will and left us anything, maybe we can borrow against some of the funds to pay for the funeral. Save Mom some unnecessary heartache. And since you know about finance, it makes the most sense for you to call up Waterson and ask the questions.”

Paul’s voice was tight. “I have no problem with that, Abram. I just didn’t know what you meant.”

“So, now you know,” Bram said. “I’ll handle the service tomorrow. I’ll do as much of the calling as I can tonight, then I’ll finish up in the morning. I’m not going to sleep anyway. Any objections?”

No one spoke.

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to get started. Dad had lots of friends and admirers, and it’s going to take me a while.” Bram turned to Decker. “Can you drive me back to St. Thomas’s?”

“I’d be happy to,” Decker said. “I just need a little bit more information.” He turned to Eva. “Can I get your last name, ma’am?”

“Shapiro.”

Decker’s pause was fractional before he wrote it down. Suddenly, Eva burst into tears. “It was all so stupid!” She looked at Bram with wet eyes. “Why is life so stupid!”

“I don’t know why.” Bram turned to Paul. “Maybe you should take her home.”

“Everything is so meaningless!” Eva opened a Gucci bag, pulled out a silk handkerchief, and dabbed her eyes. “I didn’t even have a chance to say good-bye. Or to say I love you. And just when we were starting to get along!”

Maggie broke down into heavy sobs. Bram said, “Michael, could you check on Mom? It’s been a while.”

Wordlessly, Michael went up the stairs.

Eva faced Decker. “My parents and I haven’t been on very good terms for some time.”

Bram said, “You don’t need to get into this, Eva.”

“He’s going to find out anyway,” Eva said. “It’s actually my husband and my father. They don’t get along. I’m caught in the middle.”

Bram said, “Eva, honey, maybe we should save this—”

“You see, my parents are very devout people,” Eva continued. “Religious, good people. But…”

“But your husband’s Jewish,” Decker said. “It’s created some problems.”

Eva stared at him, dumbfounded.

Bram rubbed his eyes. “Last name, Eva. It’s a giveaway.”

Decker said, “I can understand how intermarriage might cause conflict.”