Free Side Trip to Kathmandu (A Sidney Marsh Murder Mystery Book 3) by Marie Moore

really understood money and how to make it work. It is a shame that he could not have made himself more likable.”
    Jay persisted, “But don’t you think an autopsy should be done?”
    “Perhaps.” Brooke shrugged. “I agree that an autopsy would give us a definitive cause of death, but if the doctors and the police think an autopsy unnecessary, we are hardly in a position to object. Things may change when his relatives are consulted or they may not. In any event, I don’t see how a massive heart attack could be connected in any way to our other mystery.”
    “Brooke is right, Jay,” I said. “It’s sad, and I’m sorry about Felix, but I don’t believe it has any bearing on Brooke’s problem. His death, though sudden and shocking, can’t be about Brooke. For once, I am grateful for S.L. Sharma. He has taken charge quickly and made all the required arrangements, thank goodness. He even called our agency and personally informed Silverstein. This is out of our hands.”
    “What about his family?” Jay asked. “Were they able to locate them?” Jay had stopped pacing and was calmer. He took a seat next to Brooke and reached for the coffeepot and a cup.
    “Felix had no close family, Jay,” Brooke answered. “He had three unsuccessful marriages, no children. He was the only child of elderly parents, both of whom died long ago. I think perhaps a cousin was listed as his next of kin. Mr. Sharma is still trying to reach someone.”
    “I think the only child thing may help to explain his personality,” I said.
    “Yes,” Brooke said, “I agree. He was terribly spoiled. His mother doted on him, thought he could do no wrong.”
    “Well,” Jay asked, “where do we go from here? Are you canceling the tour because of this, Brooke, or are we going forward? What do you think?”
    “We will continue as planned,” she said firmly. “Mr. Sharma is making all the arrangements, both for poor Felix and for us. Tomorrow morning at six a.m. sharp we will leave the hotel for the train to Agra. Agra and the Taj Mahal.”

 
    Chapter 9
    W ow. Unquestionably a huge wow.
    The Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most recognizable buildings, can only be fully appreciated when seen in person. And I was there. In person. Me, Sidney Lanier Marsh, all the way from Mississippi, standing smack in front of the Taj Mahal.
    Wow. I mean wow.
    As when you experience the power of Niagara Falls, no words, no photograph—no matter how skillfully or artfully done—can fully describe it or possibly do it justice. Its beauty is unspeakable, visceral, and compelling. The sight of the Taj drove all the sad thoughts of Felix right out of my head.
    I stood just inside the massive red sandstone gate of the entrance, mesmerized by my first glimpse of this ancient monument to lost love. Even Jay, who is far worldlier than I, was stunned into silence at the sight.
    We had arrived at the New Delhi station before dawn to board the train for Agra and the Taj Mahal, stepping gingerly around and over the slumbering figures of dozens of people. Whether they were waiting for trains or simply sleeping on the stone platform was unclear.
    Our early departure was necessitated because of the light.
    The seamless Makrana marble of which it was constructed causes the view of the Taj Mahal to change with the light. It appears rosy in the dawn, a stark, blinding white at noon, and golden pink in the sunset. In moonlight, it glows an ethereal white. To get the full effect, everyone who comes to the massive monument wants to view it all throughout the day as its aspect changes under the different lights. This is why multiple visits are common.
    After a guided morning tour of the central structure, we would have free time to wander at will through the other buildings and gardens. Lunch at our hotel followed, and the afternoon featured a tour of Agra Fort. The following day we might even return to the Taj for a last look before leaving Agra for Varanasi.
    The Taj was