Page 113 of I'm Watching You

‘I can believe it. Hey, do you know who put these flowers in this urn?’

He frowned. ‘No, don’t believe I do. Are they a problem?’

She squinted into the sun. ‘No. No. I just thought it might be some mistake. Mom didn’t have many relatives except me.’

‘Well, the ladies at the church down the road put flowers on graves from time to time. Especially around a holiday.’

‘That’s kind. Is there anyone at the church I can thank?’

‘Oh, they’re not looking for thanks. Just happy to do it.’ He touched the bill of his hat. ‘Well, I’ve leaves to rake and flowers to plant. You have a good day. I’ve got to get back to work.’

‘Thanks.’

He turned and walked back to his pickup truck. Lindsay captured another petal between her fingertips. Soft. Delicate. As she pulled her hand away, she saw a white slip of paper. She removed it from the tangle of stems and unfolded it. Written in bold Times Roman print was the statement,You are stronger than her.

The Guardian. For a moment she felt dizzy as she staredat the words. She glanced around the cemetery. The caretaker was gone.

Her hands trembled as she laid the note on the grass. He’d beenhere. He’d left flowers at her mother’s grave. She dug her cell out of her purse and dialed Zack’s number.

Zack answered on the second ring. ‘Hello.’

‘Zack, it’s Lindsay. He was here. The Guardian was here.’ She couldn’t hide the fear in her voice.

‘Where are you?’ His voice was razor sharp.

‘I’m at my mother’s grave.’ She gave him the directions.

He swore. ‘I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Get in your car and lock the doors.’

Lindsay hugged her arms around her chest. She didn’t want to be afraid. She didn’t want to be intimidated. But she was. She went to Audrey’s car, got in, and locked the doors. Despite the heat of the day, she felt cold.

Less than five minutes later two Hanover deputies appeared. They inspected the flowers, careful not to touch the note or the urn. They searched for the caretaker but couldn’t find him. All three waited until Zack and Warwick arrived fifteen minutes later, lights flashing. Lindsay got out of her car as Zack got out of his. He strode toward her, closing the gap in seconds. He laid a hand on her shoulder. ‘Are you all right?’

She wanted him to hold her. ‘Yes.’

‘Where’s the note?’ The question came from Warwick.

She didn’t pull away from Zack’s touch. ‘I left it by the grave.’

Warwick snapped on rubber gloves. ‘What did it say?’

‘ “You are stronger than her.”I think he’s talking about my mother.’ When Warwick only stared, she added, ‘She forgave my father over and over again. She was too afraid or too in love to ever stay away from him too long.’

Warwick’s gaze darted between Lindsay and Zack. ‘Is he referring to your relationship with Zack?’

Zack stood stock straight, his jaw tight. ‘I think so.’

Lindsay pushed her hand through her hair. ‘It’s no secret that I haven’t signed the divorce papers. And if he was watching me this morning he knew we visited.’

‘Visited,’ Warwick said. The word had a volume of meaning.

‘Was anyone else out here?’ Zack said.

‘Just the caretaker.’

‘Where is he now?’ Zack asked, glancing around.

‘I don’t know. He walked away before I found the note.’

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