Page 69 of Grave Revelations

Simon held out a hand, feeling a burning, itching sensation in his back. It irritated his frayed nerves, and he huffed, curling his fingers into a fist.

“Calm down. I’ll get it,” Valentina said, laughing.

She slid the computer onto his lap, letting her manicured nails trail over the blankets. “How can you look at the screen when you can’t prop your head up? Want me to lift you?”

“No.”

Valentina pouted, her crimson lips turning down. After a pregnant silence, she left him, heels clacking over the concrete floor.

Simon slid the laptop open and pressed the volume down. The video was clear, but Rebecca wasn’t in her room. He clicked through live feeds until he found her sitting on her favorite blue couch, staring up at the portrait of her father. Alone.

“Could you hand me my phone?” he asked, tilting the laptop screen so it wasn’t visible as Valentina approached.

She slid a table beside him and set his phone and a cup of lavender tea on top.

“I can stay home today,” she said. “Take care of you.”

“No.” Simon bit the inside of his cheek, looking up. “I’ll be a nuisance all day, and the home healthcare worker will be here. I’m sure they need you in the office.”

She gave him a strained look, letting him know she hadn’t missed the bite in his tone. “Alright. If you’re sure.”

He nodded, trying for a more genuine smile.

Valentina arched one sculpted brow before she turned away from him again.

He picked up his phone and texted:Are you feeling better? Can we talk?

Valentina returned, and he clicked off his screen, watching her move to the door, pick up her purse and laptop bag, and slide on a thick coat. “I gave Miss Hazel the code, so she’ll let herself in when she gets here. It should be any minute.”

Simon nodded, palming his phone. It hadn’t buzzed yet. The itch to slide open his laptop and see what she was doing crawled down his arm, and his fingers twitched.

Valentina waved again, picked up her things, and twisted the bolt, unlocking her door. “Oh,” she turned around. “The TV remote by the couch. Let me get it.”

“No need. I have a lot of work today.”

She halted midway to the living room. “Okay. Have a good day.” She left, and the automatic lock buzzed behind her.

He lifted his phone. Nothing. Pulling open the laptop, he pressed the volume up. The screen was distorted again.

Rebecca’s laugh sounded through the audio in the foyer. “Eat with me?”

Simon drew in a ragged breath.

“I don’t eat.”

Didn’t she know how desperate she sounded? He held his breath, waiting for her next words. Abruptly, the audio shorted, followed by popping and crackling sounds before silence. The video feed darkened further. Something was wrong.

Simon pressed the incline button on his bed, waiting for it to rise. The screen was still black, no audio. He opened the Ring app, searching the dashboard for troubleshooting options and instructions.

He slammed his fist on the bed. A chat box popped up. He clicked it, going through the steps of verifying his identity, and typed out his issues.

The agent informed him they would ping the devices and notify him of any service issues.

He waited, drumming his fingers on the silent phone screen at his side. When the agent returned to let him know everything was functioning on their side, he clicked out of the chat window, huffing in frustration.

The lock buzzed at the door, and it opened. A middle-aged woman with a thick coat and blue scrubs stepped through the entry.

“Good morning, Mr. Carey. I’m Hazel. I’m here to assist you today.”

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