Page 86 - Effable Encounters

The Formic Solution

coroner to take it away. Autopsies are rarely performed on indigents,
particularly when a crime is not suspected. Your cousin’s body, Miss
van Ehrbagge, is in a rather simple casket buried in what used to be
called potter’s field. I’m certain an exhumation order will be issued
once you lay these facts before the local magistrate.”
Minnie van Ehrbagge wept quietly for a few minutes into a dainty
lace handkerchief. Then, dabbing her eyes, she said, “This is terrible
news, Mr. Gill. I have no doubt you are right. Thank you for taking
the time and trouble to find the truth. Now, I’d like to go home.”
She stood. Gill also rose and bowed gravely. Ann helped her down
to the street and into a taxi. When she returned, Gill was replacing his
desk ornaments to the positions they had occupied before the ant
farm had arrived. The formicary itself had vanished from the room.
Ann figured it was already in the garbage can on the service porch
landing.
“Amazing piece of work, chief,” she begrudged. “I don’t know
how you do it.”
“Really?” Phibian Gill opened a desk drawer, found a glass jar of
caramels, opened it and popped one in his mouth. “Then you still
have a lot to learn.”

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