My husband got a letter in the mail today from a law firm in Chicago.   I asked him if he was in trouble.  As he opened the letter a check fell out.  A check for $66.66.  Not a whopping amount but an unexpected check, nonetheless.

The letter informed him that this was terms of a settlement that he was made aware of on July 4, 2011.  Neither of us has any recollection of that letter but last year was kind of a blur.  Evidentially if he cashes this check he agrees to the terms of the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy plan of liquidation from February 18, 2011 and can make no more claims. And there is mention of cemetery claims without limitation.  Say what????

So I dusted off  my Nancy Drew hat and did some Googling and found out that yes, indeed, as indicated in the memo form of the check there is a Burr Oak cemetery in Chicago.   The story is that cemetery employees dug up graves and did who knows what with the remains so they could sell more plots!!!!  Yikes.  The story is getting creepier and creepier.  This settlement is a result of family members trying to get some settlement because of this event.

I still can’t figure out how Chris fits in.  There is an extensive database with pictures of headstones that they have created to help folks find the graves of their loved ones.  I found one Oliver W Chiles, Sr. who was born in 1907 and died in 1971.  No clue who he is.  None whatsoever.  And Chris has done the family history and nothing is ringing a bell.

One little detail I need to add—-this is an African American cemetery.  Chris is NOT African American.  Me thinks there might be a mystery here.  Anyone want to weigh in???  I would love to hear what you think.  Is my husband who he says he is?  Should we cash the check?  Should we call the lawyers?  Should we enlist in the witness protection program??  All suggestions will be weighed equally!!!