Je te Plumerai

Obsequy

The next morning, Arthur rose to find his sister missing. His first thought was one of panic, but then he realized that naturally Cadence, being herself, would have risen with the sun, then gone for a stroll along the river, where she would meet half the town, become infatuated with the scenery and the people, and beg Arthur to stay there "at least for a few months." Upon returning home, on schedule of course, (Arthur had things to do too, just not nearly as many as his sister, he just felt more obligated to complete them in a punctual fashion), Cadence would say "you know, I'm glad we came back now. I was starting to miss this old place." Yes, thought Arthur. That is what will happen, without a doubt.

Resigned to the fact that he would be spending at least another hour alone in the hotel room, Arthur decided to make the most of his time, turning on a pot of tea before settling down by the window to spend some quality time reading. I just wish Cadence would leave a note or something, with the time she would be back. I know she can take care of herself, but I worry so anyways. She is fond of getting into trouble, Arthur thought, his mind wandering from his book. What am I thinking? It's not like she would even get back on time, so it would be completely pointless.

---

As it happens, Arthur was only half correct. Cadence was out collecting all the local gossip, but she was doing so in a small downtown café, where she spent the next morning as well. By the time she got back on the morning of the funeral, Arthur had been starting to worry that she would not be back in time. In fact, he was already fully dressed and ready to go by the time she waltzed into the room with windblown hair and red cheeks.

"Oh Arthur, you really must come with me tomorrow. The folks that run that place are just so nice. And terrific service too! We should stay here for a while. Say! Once you retire full time we could even get a weekend home. Wouldn't that be nice?"

"Cadence, I think you're forgetting the reason we came to Malaise in the first place."

"Oh, you're right. I don't think I should like to live here. I would always be thinking about Aveline, and it just won't do to be sad all the time while on vacation."

"No Cadence, what I meant is that the funeral service starts in just under an hour and we don't know our way around town. I had hoped to be leaving shortly, but seeing as you're not ready yet, I suppose that won't be happening.'

"You say that, but it's not true! I haven't just visited the café, you know. The rest of the town is really quite quaint. Very enjoyable. Anyway, the church where the services are to be held are just a few minutes down the road. We won't be late. I don't take that long to get dressed."

"Whatever. Just hurry up and get changed. If we get there early, we'll have time to pay our respects to the family beforehand."

"Already done! I met them out and about, what was it- two days ago? Or maybe it was yesterday?"

"I don't care when you saw them, I want to see them, but I can't do that if you take this long to get ready to leave, I doubt we'll even be there on time, let alone early!"

"Fine, but I'm telling you. It really doesn't take that long to get there!" And with that, Cadence turned around and flounced into the bedroom.

---

Cadence was right, much to Arthur's frustration, because he knew that as soon as they got back to the hotel, she would rub it in. A lot. And it could last for hours. Arthur was not looking forward to that, but he put it out of his mind as he stepped up to the family of the deceased.

"Where is Richard?" asked Cadence, having come up with Mme Garnier's husband's name after wracking her memory.

"Well, you see, Richard and Aveline divorced several months ago. It was very hard on him. He didn't take it well, turning to drink and such. He threatened poor Aveline once or twice while particularly intoxicated," explained Aveline's mother, Mme Bellamy. "So naturally, when she was found with her head smashed in, he fell under suspicion. He refused to cooperate with the police, so it's seeming even more likely that he's the one that did her in. Poor Richard. He's been arrested under suspicion."

"Well, I don't pity him at all," interjected M. Bellamy brusquely. "Seemed a bit off, if you ask me. A bit crazy. Like that guy that just got out of some asylum and came here. He's loony. Not right in the head."

Cadence took solace in the fact that she was not the only one that disapproved of Richard Garnier. However, it seemed that Mme Bellamy was of the opposite mindset.

"John!" she reprimanded. "Let's not turn this into a discussion of mental stability. What matters now is our poor daughter, and she loved Richard. Well, at least she used to. And while he may not have been my favorite person, it's simply incredulous to think that he should do in Aveline. If possible, he was even more devoted to her than she was to him."

---

It was a pleasant service, it a bit long, with some uplifting quotes and plenty of tears. Aveline was well known in the community, a beloved teacher to all she had taught,an esteemed coworker and cherished daughter. Cadence had shed a few tears of her own in remembering her departed friend.

By the time they stepped out of the church, the sun was high in the sky, and Arthur and Cadence were hungry for lunch.

"Oh, Arthur! We can go to that café I've been telling you about, and you won't even have to get up early!"

Arthur tried to protest, but Cadence had already grabbed his arm and was running off across town. He sighed and followed her, resigned to defeat.

When they arrived at the café, Cadence immediately ran to a table in the back corner that was occupied by a handsome young woman. Late twenties, decided Arthur, surveying the woman in front of him.

"Arthur, this is Amère Dupuis. She works at the school where Aveline taught! I understand they were friends, right Amère?"

"Quite so. We were inclined to spend quite a few nights out on the town together. Especially after the divorce. Such a shame. Richard was a nice young man. He had his faults, but then again, who doesn't? Certainly not me!"

"Do you teach?" inquired Arthur. "I used to be a teacher myself. I retired a few years ago, but I still like to pop in now and then to help out."

Amère hesitated. "No," she said finally. "I'm just the janitor. They didn't have any positions open. I've only been here a year. I went to college in England, but I missed France. What can I say? There's no place quite like it."

"Quite right, Madame. Quite right."

---

Having ordered and eaten a very enjoyable meal, the party prepared to pay their check. The owner of the establishment, Mme Peron, walked over and struck up a conversation with Cadence.

"Mme Caverly! What brings you here again so soon? I wasn't expecting you here again until tomorrow morning. And who is this lovely gentleman with you?"

"This is Arthur, my brother. He doesn't like getting up early, so he won't come with me in the mornings."

"I now see how wrong I was not to do so, Madame. The food was excellent, and the service as well."

"See Arthur! I told you that the other day! Anyway, we were in town for Aveline's funeral and I thought I would give him a taste of what he's been missing."

"Horrible business, that. Haven't had a murder here in years, and now suddenly there are two within days of each other! Absolutely shocking."

"Aveline's was the second murder? I hadn't heard of any other deaths recently."

"My dear, haven't you heard? A girl was found dead just this morning. Poisoned, she was. I can't think who would want to do off with a nice girl like that. Did well in school, too. Very well."