Poisoned Son

Chapter 37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN – Gabriel

The next morning, Gabriel felt a strange sense of calm, as if a burden had been lifted.  He sat up, stretched, and looked out the window of his mother's guest room. His thoughts were of Sophia; he knew she was grieving. It would pass in time. And it would be Gabriel, not Giancarlo, whom she would turn to for support. In the meantime, he would present a respectable visage of mourning.

As he splashed cold water on his face, Gabriel decided that when it was appropriate, he'd take his mother on a trip—a luxurious refuge, perhaps Belize. They'd lounge under sunny skies and discuss books. The beautiful surroundings would erase the lines of sorrow from her face. Sophia would be happy again and look upon Gabriel as she once did.

***

On the day of George's funeral, Gabriel slipped a designer tie around his neck and eyed himself in the mirror. He was especially good-looking today. He had been his mother's rock over the past several days and it showed on his face. The true reason for Gabriel's steadfast serenity was not lost on him. A particular scourge was eradicated. A misery, gone.

When Gabriel arrived at the funeral home with his mother, he took in the elegant and somber affair. He noted the plenitude of bouquets and grave wreaths. One hundred mourners wept copiously as if a monarch had died. Upon seeing this display of grief, he felt a stab of envy.

Claudia was especially attentive to Sophia; she was almost contrite. Gabriel found her obsequious behavior insulting. It was drenched with false pretense, after the years of animosity she'd shown toward his mother.

Giancarlo was typically quiet, falling into the fold of George's family and expressing sympathy. Judas, Gabriel thought bitterly.

As for April, she seemed to be in an agitated state, flitting from one group to another, tending to Sophia, then going back to George's family, in an effort to please everyone. She bonded with George's oldest daughter, Meghan, and Gabriel overheard her telling April tearfully that George's body would be cremated, and his ashes scattered in the Narragansett Bay. Gabriel did not care for Meghan—she regarded him with cold, untrusting eyes.

At the repast, which was held at Port Raton Country Club, Rachael, the younger of George's daughters, was more appreciative of Gabriel's consolation. She graced him with a smile and a delicate hand on his arm, even gave him a small hug of gratitude. He had not imagined her subtle flirtations. Gabriel felt an unexpected stirring for Rachael and imagined easing her grief with passionate kisses all over her body.

At one point, Claudia sidled up to him. She'd procured a drink and was swirling it, while eyeing Gabriel keenly. "How are you holding up on this sad day?" she asked.

Gabriel could scarcely believe that she cared. He studied her suspiciously, then gazed past her to look at the others in the room. "As well as can be expected."

April glided over next, her eyes moist. She clutched a tissue against her chest. She smiled wanly at Claudia, then laid a hand on Gabriel's arm.

"George certainly was loved," said April. "I'm hearing only wonderful things about him. Such a loss." 

 Claudia's eyes flickered and she turned to Gabriel. "It's a shame you didn't get to know George better. Did you ever go with him on his boat?"

Gabriel kept his expression placid. "No. I wasn't able to."

April lowered her gaze. "Me neither."

"What's important now is Sophia," Claudia remarked. She looked across the room at her mother-in-law, who was seated on a bench between two friends, her face twisted with grief. "This has been a terrible shock."

Rachael approached next. Her delicate frame was shrouded in black. Despite earlier bouts of weeping, she looked lovely. Gabriel straightened up and stepped away from April.

"How are you, Rachael?" Claudia said. Her voice was too loud for the room, causing others to look in their direction.

Rachael blushed. "I'm overwhelmed by all the love for my dad. It's just incredible. He touched so many lives. Everyone adored him. That's such a comfort to me."

Gabriel scoffed inwardly and wondered how true that was. People rarely spoke ill of the dead. Maybe George was a bastard. Would his daughters recall that amid their grief? And who of those gathered here would discuss George's flaws? How refreshing it would be, if just once, someone blurted out dirty secrets of the deceased. In that moment, Gabriel wished he knew of George's failings. It would be a lark to reveal the indiscretions to an audience, with their mouths agape, although it would not endear pretty Rachael to him.

As the repast was nearing its end, Gabriel yawned audibly. He was tired of the façade. Turning to April, he declared, "I've eaten so much at this thing. I'm ready for a bath, a bourbon, and maybe a romp to undo all this death. What do you say?"

She appeared genuinely repulsed and replied with an angry whisper, "Are you kidding? We're at George's funeral!"

He smirked. "I'll take that as a no. Too bad. I'll remain here, then take my mother home."

April walked away, shaking her head.

Gabriel stayed until all the mourners had left, then drove Sophia home. A few hours later, he called her. The phone rang and went to voicemail. He called again.

His mother answered this time, sounding worn out. "Hello dear."

"Hello, Mother. Will you be able to sleep tonight?"

"I hope so."

He heard background noise. "Who's there?"

"Bennett Osgood. We're having tea."

"Your attorney is there?"

"He's also my friend. He came to the house after the funeral."

Gabriel frowned. "What does he want?"

"Just to check on me and review some financial details."

"Those lawyers don't waste any time."

His mother didn't reply.

"What would've changed financially?" Gabriel probed. "You weren't married so there was no co-mingling of money, right?"

Sophia paused. "Actually, there was. A decent sum, which complicates matters. We went in together on a down payment for a house."

"You were planning to MOVE?! Where?" 

"Please don't shout. Syracuse."

"When were you going to tell me?!"

"This all took place in the last two weeks," his mother replied. "George and I were getting things in order. Then we planned on telling the relatives."

Gabriel scowled with distaste. He didn't appreciate being lumped into the general category. 

"I can't believe you were going to move five hours from here!"

Sophia sighed again, indicating that she was weary of his tirade. "It's a moot point now, isn't it, dear? I must go now. I'm terribly tired and I'm being rude to my guest."

"All right, Mother. I'll call you tomorrow."

After Gabriel hung up, he mulled things over. Because of George, his mother had been keeping things from him. He realized that the man's death helped avert disaster in more ways than one.