Matt dashed upstairs with Meg’s bag, calling out to her as he left it by the bathroom door. Downstairs again, he poured coffee.
Meg was down as soon as he finished. She’d gotten ready in ten minutes and yet looked as if she’d spent an hour securing her wealth of hair in a shimmering bun. He wasn’t sure if she was wearing makeup; her blue eyes were so darkly fringed with lashes she didn’t need much.
Although he didn’t want to tell Meg what someone had written on the car, he also realized that if she were any other partner, he would. “I think we had someone watching us last night,” he said. “Either that, or some juvenile delinquents were out writing on cars.”
“Oh?” she said, taking a sip of her coffee. “What did they write?”
“‘Die.’”
“‘Die’—as in...die?”
He nodded.
“You really think someone’s following us, then?” she asked. “Are they afraid we’re getting too close?”
“It’s possible. So we need to be extra vigilant,” he said. “Ready?”
“Yes, of course,” she said, all business now.
And he meant to be, too. But as she set her cup in the sink and rinsed it, then walked to the door, he caught her by the shoulders and pulled her back. He kissed her, inhaling her clean sweet scent. “Quickie?” he whispered against her lips.
“No,” she returned, smiling into his eyes. “But one day, remind me—and I’ll show you a real quickie.”
“Wow, you wicked woman!” he teased, locking the door behind them.
In less than thirty minutes, they were standing at the grave site at Arlington. The cemetery workers had already broken concrete and were ready to extract the coffin. They waited for Adam Harrison, Katya Sokolov and Dr. Wong, as the official presiding medical examiner. The three arrived shortly after, greeting them beneath the blue sky of the beautiful summer morning.
Arlington always seemed solemn and yet beautiful to Matt. He had many relatives buried there, all of whom had served in the military at different stages of history.
He’d never seen any of those ancestors walking the grounds, and he saw no one that morning. Even looking up the hill to Arlington House, Matt saw no sign of the dead—that is, of the departed appearing, in some form, in the present. The Krewe always hoped the dead would speak, that they’d solve things simply by saying, “He did it!” or “She did it!” But too often, the dead themselves didn’t know. They remained behind because of what they might suspect or because they needed justice in order to move on.
They all stood silent as they watched the workers, perhaps because there was something so sad, something that felt wrong, about digging up the dead. Another car drove in to join them.
Matt was disheartened to see that the arrival was Maddie Hubbard, driven by a chauffeur. He went to the car to greet her as the chauffeur helped her out of the backseat. “Mrs. Hubbard, you didn’t need to be here,” he said.
“My boy, you’re as nice as they come,” she said with a wink, “but rather slow. I distinctly remember asking you to call me Maddie.”
He had to smile at that. “I’m sorry—Maddie,” he said. “This isn’t easy for you.” He shook his head. “You really don’t need to be here.”
Adam came over and repeated his words, but Maddie hugged him and told him she was fine. Matt introduced her to Dr. Wong, and after that she greeted Meg, who gave her a warm hug. She then took her place with the small group watching as the men worked.
Her voice just above a whisper, Maddie said, “Adam, I know what your people do.”
“We find the truth,” Adam whispered back. “That’s all.”
Maddie shrugged and turned to Meg. “Is he here? Is my Garth here with us?”
Matt saw the struggle on Meg’s face as she sought the right answer. “No, Maddie. I believe that he’s gone on. I didn’t know him—but I know of him. And no man has such a sterling reputation without good reason. He was renowned for his brilliance, his passion, his kindness. I’m sure he watches over you with love.”
Maddie took her hand and squeezed it. Meg squeezed back. And soon, the coffin was in the hearse to be brought to the OCME.
“Will you be going to the autopsy?” Maddie asked them.
“Dr. Wong, his assistant and I will be there,” Kat told her. “And I can promise you, we’ll be careful and very thorough.”
Maddie nodded and looked at Meg. “Perhaps you and Adam and Matt could join me for an hour or so? I promise I won’t cry on your shoulders all morning, but I could use a little company right now.” She lowered her voice and indicated her chauffeur. “Sweet boy, but I don’t really know him.”
“We’re at your service, Maddie,” Adam said.
“I’ll ride with Maddie,” Meg offered.
“I came in Kat’s car. I can go with Matt and follow you to Maddie’s,” Adam suggested.