Chapter 21
MAKING HIS WAY through the mass of mourners at Mossback’s Funeral Home in Warrenton, Thumper nodded to Muriel Hudkins, turned out in proper mourning attire complete with hat and gloves. She stood perfectly poised, politely listening as Luella Starett, owner/operator of the Paradise Gap General Store, related a bawdy tale about Fergus. Muriel held her composure and responded with the requisite “Oh, my. You don’t say? Dear me.” at the appropriate intervals. Thumper could tell she’d rather be most anywhere else and he commended her inwardly for her devotion and fortitude.
He then came upon two couples standing along the edge of the crowd. All four looked equally uncomfortable. The two ladies—one beefy and pale, the other small and dark—wore their most somber church dresses. The m
