“What kind of work?”
“Something to do with the estate. Evidently, there’s been contention among the various branches of the family for decades. After Ezra’s death, a will was never found, so the money was eventually divided among the surviving relatives. Somehow the eldest sister ended up with all the land, which was a sizable fortune even apart from her portion of the cash and investments. According to Nathan, a rumor later surfaced that the sister had destroyed Ezra’s will because she’d been disinherited. That sister was Louvenia Durant.”
“They did have a falling-out,” I said. “Nelda Toombs told me that Louvenia had never gotten over the estrangement. That’s why she’s so emotional about the restoration. And speaking of Nelda, I found out today that she’s the owner of Dowling Curiosities. Owen Dowling is her great-nephew.”
“How did you find that out?”
“Owen called and asked if I would come by the shop so that his aunt could see the stereoscope. Nelda was there when I arrived.”
Devlin scowled. “How did he explain withholding the information from you?”
“He claims he didn’t recognize the inscription because the nicknames haven’t been used in years.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I’m not sure. He’s hard to read. But Nelda did back him up.”
Devlin rubbed the back of his neck as if the fatigue of a long day was finally setting in. “Do you know anything about Louvenia Durant’s grandson?”
“I’ve seen him around. His name is Micah Durant and apparently he isn’t very happy about the restoration. He thinks his grandmother is squandering her money.”
“Maybe there’s another reason for his disapproval,” Devlin said. “It’s something Nathan hinted at. He could only speak hypothetically, of course, but it got me to thinking. If Louvenia or any of the Kroll relatives wanted to put that land on the market, the expense of moving the cemetery could diminish the value. It would be easier just to get rid of the headstones and pretend the cemetery never existed.”
“I don’t think Louvenia would stand for that.”
“Maybe not while she’s alive,” Devlin said.
I stared at him for a moment. “You don’t think her own grandson would try to harm her, do you?” But even as I played devil’s advocate, I couldn’t help remembering the visceral reaction I’d had to Micah Durant.
“All I know is that I don’t trust these people,” Devlin said. “There are too many coincidences and deceptions in the way they’ve made contact with you.” He rested his hands on my shoulders. “I wish you would wait until I’m free to go with you, but at least promise me you’ll keep your eyes and ears open. If there’s even a hint of danger, you call me.”
“I will.” I wanted to reassure him that I would be fine on my own and that he needed to stay focused on his grandfather’s health.
But truthfully, I also had a bad feeling about the Kroll family. Something dark had happened within their ranks. Something that had kept the ghosts of Kroll Colony restless for decades.
This was no simple visitation or restoration. I was being pulled to that walled graveyard by both the living and the dead, and whatever the outcome, I wouldn’t leave Kroll Cemetery unscathed.
Thirty-One
The next day, I left for Kroll Cemetery. I set out with my tools, camera equipment and a change of clothes because tramping through cemeteries could be a hot and dirty business during the spring and summer months. Dr. Shaw and his associate were already in place and I kept the map he’d drawn for me nearby in case the navigation system couldn’t deal with the country roads. The three keys were safely stored in a zippered compartment of my backpack. I wished that I still had the stereoscope and card because I felt certain they were important clues, but I’d left both with Nelda Toombs.
Surprisingly, my mood was lighter than it had been in days. For one thing, I felt relieved to finally be taking action, and for another, I’d had no visitations since my talk with Papa. I hadn’t heard scratching in the walls or witnessed any manifestations, which I hoped meant that I was on the right track. So long as I did as the entities wished, they would leave me alone.
With so many things swirling around in my head, the miles sped by. Soon enough, I left the coastal area behind and entered a dark green landscape of hunting forests and timberland. Aiken County was known as Thoroughbred country, and the horse farms I passed along the way ranged from modest clapboard houses and outbuildings to stately plantation homes and elaborate stables reminiscent of the estates where the Vanderbilts, Astors and Hitchcocks had once summered.