They talked a few more minutes, the conversation remaining stilted and jerky. Francis talked about what their life in Easton had been like. Finally Frank broached the subject of her death.
“So, what exactly happened to Muriel, anyway?”
Francis took a long moment to compose his thoughts. “It was a freak accident. I had closed up the store early. When I got home, she wasn’t in the house. I went around looking for her, and…well, I found her. Outside. On the ground next to the ladder. Her neck was broken. It was awful, just awful. I ran inside and called 911 but she was…well, she was already gone.” He had to pause to regain some composure. “Damnedest thing. I don’t understand why she would go up on that ladder by herself. Why couldn’t she have waited for me to come back?”
“Why exactly was s
