Chapter 4

Before we reached the viewing room, Brenda stopped.

She clutched my arm, her eyes pleading. "Ethan... he was inexperienced with women. Very shy."

Tears streamed down her face. "Please, Miss Miller, ensure his spirit feels complete. Cherished. During the overnight ritual."

She fumbled in her purse. "I'll give you an extra $10,000 for this."

I saw an opportunity. My services were premium, after all.

"Mrs. Jenkins, for that level of dedicated spiritual companionship, my premium service, it would be an additional $20,000."

Brenda looked shocked for a moment at my audacity. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Then, she nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, of course. Whatever it takes."

She added, "I trust you'll be thorough. We'll have a... discreet medical confirmation in the morning. To ensure the deeper aspects of the rite were fulfilled."

I frowned internally. Medical confirmation? I assumed she meant some kind of spiritual energy reading, ensuring the ritual was potent. Strange, but rich people had strange requests.

"Understood," I said.

"And one more thing," Brenda said, her voice suddenly a bit sharper. "Your phone. I can't have any photos of my son in this state. No distractions."

"Of course," I said. It was a common request for privacy. I handed it over. She pocketed it.

She opened a heavy oak door. "He's in here."

She didn't enter with me. She just gestured me in and closed the door softly behind me.

I was alone. The room was dimly lit by more candles.

In the corners, two life-sized antique mannequins stood, one male, one female. Dressed in old-fashioned formal wear. They were incredibly eerie.

I was used to such scenes. My job wasn't for the faint of heart.