Never An Angel

Fifteenth

        Magdalen stared blankly at Kist's lifeless body. There was no sign of suicide, thankfully, but that didn't make the situation any better. She clasped her hands before her and lifted her chin. Declan stood off to the side along with a few other boys who knew and loved Kist and wanted to be there.

     "Thanks for cleaning," said Magdalen after some time had passed.

     Declan nodded. "We probably wont be needing this place now. It won't fit him anymore."

    "No, I suppose it wont." She took another minute to gaze down at Kist, then vaguely gestured to him as she turned and looked at all of the men gathered. "Bathe him then redress him. Something new. Brand new. We'll have a ceremony tonight."

     The men started to move, some leaving to go buy new clothes and others moving to pick up Kist to take him to the bathroom for a bath. Declan, though, remained where he was. "Where are we going to have the ceremony?"

     "Give me a minute." Magdalen left the room and went to the kitchen. She would have chosen another room, but the kitchen was the one place that Kist's remnants were not. She filled the sink with a few inches of water then contacted Nico.

     The sink turned dark, but Nico said from behind it, "What's up?"

     "Where are you?"

     "Home, duh. The lights are off. Hold on." The sink brightened and Nico's face was visible. "I closed everything up. Lying low, you know?"

     "Yes, well, I need you to do a search for me."

     "Yeah? What is it?"

     "I need a ceremonial room for Kist."

     Nico paused. "He died?"

     "Yes. It was bound to happen."

     "I mean, I know but... okay. There aren't many rooms around specifically for what he needs anymore. Give me a minute... Let's see... there's one about four hours away, not factoring in traffic."

     Magdalen flicked her fingers. "Are you sure there's nothing else? Nothing closer?"

     "Hm. Nope. At least, these are the ones that are certified. Someone might have an under the table room. Have you asked Murello?"

     "No. But I will. If nothing comes of it send me the address of the room you looked up. Keep looking, too, for something nearer. Maybe someone's posted something about having one without all the red tape."

     "You got it."

     Magdalen nodded then drained the sink. She whipped out her cell and called Murello's number, holding up a finger at Declan, who looked about to say something. "Murello, hey," she greeted, still holding up a finger. "I need a ceremonial room. Do you know of one nearby?"

     "You're in luck. I had one built a few years back. Never had a use for it, though. What do you need it for?"

     "Kist is dead."

     "Oh. Your man. Well, it wasn't built for him, but it will do in a pinch. Do you mind it being more of an all-around ceremonial room? Do you think it makes a difference?"

     "It isn't the ideal type, but it will do. Can I use it? Tonight?"

     "Absolutely. Will it be a large ceremony?"

     "Maybe. A lot of people knew Kist. Do you mind?"

     "No, no. I'd like to see if the room works. I'll prepare here. You bring the body and whoever else."