A Discount for Death

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Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman stopped the unmarked county car at the curb on Bustos Avenue directly in front of Kealey’s Dry Kleaners and Laundry. Even as she pushed the gearshift toward Park, Estelle saw Julia Kealey appear at the shop’s door, hand reaching for the open-closed sign, ready to call it a day.

Julia flipped the sign but held the door open and watched with a sympathetic smile as the undersheriff pulled herself out of the patrol car and crossed the sidewalk. “You look like you’ve had an interesting Monday.” She greeted Estelle in a voice husky from the mixture of cigarette smoke and dry-cleaning fumes.

“Interesting but endless.” Estelle grinned, and then her dark face sobered. “How’s Royce?”

“He’s…what would be the best word…he’s okay. Just okay.” Julia let Estelle slip by into the shop. “He has some good days and some bad days. I keep kidding him that it’s a victory if he can remember enough about the day to decide whether it’s good or bad.” She closed the door behind them and turned the bolt, adding with resignation, “Alzheimer’s is nasty stuff, Sheriff. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”

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