Rhonda Stonecipher was, as always, beautifully dressed. Today it was cream linen slacks with a matching blouse and summer weight sweater. Her hair looked freshly set, her makeup flawless, and she even had on exquisite earrings and a coordinated bracelet. Jane tried to accept this as normal, even though she could vividly remember the day after her own husband had died. Jane recalled standing at the closet door and staring blankly at the contents as if she'd never seen clothing before and had no idea what to do with it. Expertly matching jewelry to a stylish outfit would never have crossed her mind.

But then, it seldom crossed her mind in normal circumstances either unless Shelley reminded her.

“We're so sorry about your loss," Jane said.

“It was a terrible shock," Rhonda admitted. "But everyone's been so kind. Dear Tony has been helping me with the arrangements for the funeral." With that, she let go of Jane and Shelley and transferred her grip to Tony, who looked a little startled, but pleased. "Tony helped me decide on the coffin. Such a terrible word, coffin. And such a terrible thing to have to decide about. And the funeral people asked me all sorts of things that I never gave a thought to. Like things for the obituary in the paper, for example. Robert's degrees and professional organizations and exact dates. Tony had it all in a file. No wonder Robert was so pleased to have him for a partner.”

She was babbling, but she was entitled to, Jane figured. "Sit down and rest," Shelley said. "The coffee's done and you really should eat something. Jane and I will bring it out to you.”

Dabbing at the corners of her eyes, careful not to mess up her makeup, Rhonda let Tony lead her away to the sofa grouping in front of the enormous fireplace in the sunken living room. Shelley gave Jane a quick look that si‑ lently said, "We already have things to talk about.”