Silence hung heavy over the gatherers.

“Was he terribly sick?” Martha demanded further.

One of Christopher’s primary business partners glanced nervously toward the distant exit gates.

Martha’s voice sharpened like a steel blade.

“Where is his official death certificate?”

Valerie took a defensive step closer to the suspended casket.

“The body was severely damaged in the fall, so you really do not want to see him like this.”

Martha moved closer to her despite the workers trying to wave her off.