The Visitor(22)

But I had gone no distance at all down the cemetery pathway when I froze in trepidation. The day was sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and already a small crowd had assembled. I could hear laughter and the lighthearted chatter of a friendly gathering that would undoubtedly lavish praise upon my work.

So why the foreboding? Why the thorny dread that had manifested at the base of my neck and now scratched its way down my spine?

I’d detected a death smell, I realized. A trace of decay so faint I could almost believe my imagination had manufactured the scent. I scanned the perimeter of the cemetery as I sniffed the air, but the odor had already vanished.

Temple Lee, the state archaeologist and the closest thing I had to a best friend, sauntered over. “Admiring your own work, I see.”

I tore my gaze from the wall to glance at her. “What?”

“You were obviously captivated by something and I don’t see anyone in this geriatric crowd that would elicit that level of enthrallment.” She caught my arm and turned me toward the light, her expression instantly sobering. “Is that a bruise on your face? What on earth happened?”

“I took a tumble, but I’m fine now. It looks a lot worse than it feels.” I didn’t want to begin the event with a lengthy explanation about the break-in or my attack, especially with someone as sharp and inquisitive as Temple. So I shook off the incident with a quick smile and change of subject. “This is a nice surprise. I didn’t expect you to drive all the way in from Columbia for the ceremony. How did you even know about it?”

“I received an invitation a few weeks ago. I happened to be in town so I thought I’d drop by and see what you’ve done with the place.”

“And?”

“Impressive, but you already know that.”

“The restoration was a lot of hard work,” I said. “And I don’t mind admitting that I’m glad it’s finally over.”

“I don’t blame you, considering all that went down here.” Temple glanced out over the headstones. “Hard to believe all of that happened only last year. Seems a lifetime ago.”

“I know.”

Her gaze drifted to the gathering. “I don’t see Devlin among the illustrious. Surely he means to show up for the big unveiling.”

“I don’t know if he’s coming. He has a lot on his plate these days.”

Temple turned to scrutinize my expression. “Do I detect trouble in paradise?”

“Not at all.”

“You’re still together, then?”

“Of course,” I said a little too defensively. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

She shrugged. “No reason except that I’ve always found the two of you an unlikely pairing.”

“You’ve never made any bones about that.”

“Don’t be offended. I’ve heard you say the same thing yourself.” She gave me a sidelong glance. “He’s fully recovered from the shooting, I trust.”

“He’s back on the job if that’s what you mean.”

“That’s not at all what I mean and you know it.”

As much as I enjoyed Temple’s company, I remained a private person and felt no compulsion to share with her the more intimate details of my life. “Oh, look,” I said. “There’s Dr. Shaw. And I believe he’s headed our way.”

She gave me a knowing glance. “You’re very good at changing the subject, but I’ll let it slide because I’m in no mood for Rupert. I’ll just make myself scarce and let the two of you have a nice chat.”

“I’ll tell him you said hello.”

“Yes, do that,” she said over her shoulder as she sauntered away.

I watched her disappear down a pathway before I turned to greet Dr. Shaw. He was in the company of two women who looked to be about his age or perhaps even a few years older. One was tall and slim and appeared athletic for her age, the other tiny, stooped and walked with a cane. The latter wore a dark print dress with a smock-like jacket that covered her shrunken torso while the taller woman was attired in jeans, boots and a lightweight blazer. I wondered if they were members of the committee, the group of distinguished, often eccentric and always private Emerson University alumni that had hired me to restore Oak Grove Cemetery once it had become a candidate for the National Register.

As Dr. Shaw and his companions approached, his gaze went immediately to the bruise on my face. “My dear, what happened? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine, thank you. I had a fall, but nothing serious.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said, giving me a worried look. “I’ve brought along two guests who are eager to meet you. This is Mrs. Louvenia Durant and her sister, Miss Nelda Toombs. Ladies, this is Miss Amelia Gray, the cemetery restorer I told you about earlier.”

My gaze flashed to Dr. Shaw but he gave an imperceptible shake of his head as if to warn me to say nothing of our previous conversation. “How do you do?” I murmured.

The tiny woman transferred the cane to her left hand and offered me her right. Her grip was surprisingly strong, although her skin felt as dry and fragile as tissue paper. “Louvenia and I are very happy to make your acquaintance, Miss Gray. Dr. Shaw has been quite effusive with his praise of your work, and I must say, he did not overstate your accomplishments. It’s a beautiful restoration, isn’t it, sister?”