Lewis contemplated the face of the clown and grinned. A bright red smile painted from ear to ear, the clean white greasepaint accentuated the bright blue stars above each eye. It wasn’t possible to look at the face and not think about childhood afternoons spent at the circus.

But Lewis knew too well about the man lurking behind the bulbous nose. Abandoning his wife and child, the man cultivated a reputation as a ruthless businessman. It was only in this rare, private instance that the man had ever worn a smile – or gave one to anyone else.

The clock on the wall reminded Lewis that people would be arriving in 20 minutes. Rushing to man his post, Lewis wiped off the client’s makeup with a towel drenched in cold cream and closed the lid of the casket.