Chapter 16

Suzi’s mind raced, replaying the recent events. She knew she had to apologize to the grieving family, but the situation was more complex than that. Assault charges loomed over her, a consequence of her altercation with the woman who had attacked her first. The possibility of jail time weighed heavily on her.

Yet, there was something deeper—a realization that tugged at her soul. Suzi recalled the void she had glimpsed earlier within John, an emptiness that was not Guillermo or the vast void of colorful auras. Judas’s cryptic words echoed in her mind.

Leaving the bathroom, she returned to the dimly lit embalming room office. The printer hummed in the corner, almost done with its task. Determination fueled her steps as she entered the main embalming room. Mr. Bowers lay there, covered by a white sheet. Suzi hesitated, then pulled the sheet back, revealing his still form.

She pressed her hand against his chest, seeking a connection. Nothing. Undeterred, she shook out her arms, closed her eyes, and concentrated. Still nothing. Frustration gnawed at her. She repeated the process, desperate to unlock whatever lay hidden within Mr. Bowers.

Realization struck her like a bird into a plate glass window.

“Devin,” she whispered.

The blackness filled her vision once again, and Judas’ voice asked, “Shall we bind the demon?”

“Azailkahbil?” Suzi questioned, her heart racing.

The demon appeared before her, bound in reddish-gold energy—the same energy that had imprisoned it in Guillermo. It whimpered, a pitiful sound.

“Wait! Stop!” she called out. “Earlier you said ‘vessel’. You mean that as a body, right?”

“This body is a vessel. Correct,” Judas’ voice said.

“And I… we can bind Azail – ,“ she decided against completing its name, “ – this demon to this body?”

“Correct,” Judas repeated.

“Then what?”

No reply came.

“Judas! What happens after we bind the demon to this vessel?”

“It is bound for eternity, or until it is excised, or until you will it free.”

“What?”

“It is bound for etern –“

“Yeah, I heard you. I’m just trying to wrap my mind around it,” she thought momentarily.

Her decision crystallized. Tormenting Mr. Bowers for eternity was unthinkable. She couldn’t subject him to such suffering. With resolve, Azailkahbil vanished as quickly as he appeared, leaving herself alone in the darkness.

Returning to reality, Suzi retrieved the printed skull replacement. She donned her protective gear, ready to complete the delicate task of attaching tissue, stitching, and applying modeling clay. Classical music played from an old stereo—a relic in this modern setting.

She had just gotten the pieces in place and mounted the hardware holding the plastic frame to the remaining actual bone when Nick came in. She could tell he was not happy.

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“Hey, Nick,” she said as he walked over and turned off the CD player.

“Suzi, you know I love you and think very highly of you, but you cannot attack a mourning family member.” He walked to the table where Mr. Bowers lay opposite Suzi.

“What!?” she exclaimed. “Nick, she attacked me. She slapped me, tackled me to the floor, and punched me in the face. I was defending myself.”

“I don’t know what happened. All I know is that they are not happy. Since Mr. McGillicuddy already paid for his services when he set up his pre-need a year ago, it’s not like I can compensate for services. Would you be willing to apologize to her?”

“Nick, come on,” she protested.

“They are already upset, given the circumstances.”

“Yeah. I get it. I fucked up his embalming, but Doyle did a decent job repairing it. I’m not even sure how they knew unless we disclosed it.”

“What?” Nick looked confused. “No, it’s not about his embalming. Haven’t you called that lawyer yet?”

“I tried this morning, but they weren’t open.”

He rounded the head of the table, took her by the shoulders, and turned her to face him fully.

“Suzi, Honey. They are upset because Mr. McGillicuddy left his entire estate to you.”

“What?” She was open-jawed, wide-eyed dumbfounded.

“He left everything to you. He cut all his wives and children out of his will and left everything to you,” Nick said joyously.

“Me? Why?”

“I don’t know. That is why you need to call the lawyer. I will tell the family you will apologize, but you need to call the lawyer. Also, I’m not sure what is going on with you. I’m trying to be understanding, and I get the circumstantial emergencies, but fighting with a client? Suzi – you know better than that. If you can’t get it together, I will be forced to put you on leave. I think Jo or Lynn can take over your duties.”

Suzi stood in awe, her world teetering on the edge of upheaval. Mr. McGillicuddy’s unexpected bequest had left her both awestruck and terrified. The weight of his estate pressed upon her—a gift that could transform her life. At the same time, she was one bad circumstance from losing her job—something that she had given up everything for.

Judith’s bitter remark echoed in her mind. “Like the Gracies could take over for us!” Jealousy dripped from her words.

Suzi turned to Nick, her heart racing. “I apologize. That outburst was unprofessional. I’ll regain my focus. You’ll see nothing but professionalism from me moving forward.”

Nick’s response was firm, yet compassionate. “We love you, Suzi, but I run a business. If you become a liability, I’ll have to let you go. Do you understand?”

She nodded, her stomach churning. Nick’s stern side—the one reserved for his children—now faced her. “I do. Thank you for setting me straight,” she murmured.

Judy’s spiteful comment lingered. “So much for infinite job security.”

Nick smiled at her, rubbed her shoulder briefly, returned to the CD player, turned it on, and left the room. She stood motionless, staring into the space where Nick’s face had just been, contemplating what she had just been told.

The pragmatic voice of J cut through her thoughts. “He was an old soldier, in a nursing home. Left us a footlocker full of war memorabilia.”

Spike’s suggestion was practical. “Time to polish up the ol’ resume.”

Annie’s optimism sparked hope. “Maybe he left us a boat! Navy veteran, after all.”

Judith’s confidence bolstered Suzi. “Nick won’t get rid of us.”

Ralph added a detail. “Highly decorated, too.”

James reminded them all. “Which he never told us.”

Suzanne’s practicality surfaced. “We can focus on Aiden if we have time off.”

Deciding answers would come in due time, Suzi returned to her work. Mr. Bowers lay before her, memories of Mr. McGillicuddy’s stories intertwining with her fear of losing her position. Her hands trembled.

She meticulously attached Mr. Bowers’ tissue to the newly printed skull. Blending modeling clay, matching skin tones, and rebuilding hairlines consumed and calmed her. The results were perfection—an expertly restored face, seamless and peaceful.

As she moved Mr. Bowers back to the refrigeration unit, reality intruded. She shed her protective gear, crumpling it into the trash. Nick entered the room.

“I just finished Mr. Bowers,” she informed him.

Nick’s news caught her off guard. “The McGillicuddy Family did not want to meet with you today. They said the events and services took their toll and will meet with you and the lawyer at the same time,” Nick informed her.

“Okay. I’ll call the lawyer and set up the appointment.”

Exiting the prep room, she joined Nick. Gracie Lynn manned the front desk, talking on the phone. Suzi glanced at Lynn and winked at her. Nick entered his office, and Lynn held a hand to Suzi as she put the call on hold.

“Hey, I know you are supposed to be off, but we have a body pickup if you can. If not, I’ll see if Dad or Doyle can do it when he returns.” Lynn said to her.

“I can do it. Who is it, and where?” She enjoyed being at work and figured she needed to get in some extra credit with Nick.

Lynn told her, “A man named Aiden McCord at...”

Suzi collapsed.