Page 116 of Gem Warfare

“Your husband?”

“Like I said.”

“Okay, cool. I love Poppy but I expect her to be super middle-aged by the point I actually have to watch over her. I don’t expect to do a great deal. I’ll make her dinner and tell her what I think of her partners and be her hype girl.”

“Deal.” Lily extended her hand and we shook. “I hope you give her cousins.”

“Working on it,” I said.

“Do you need tips?”

“No!”

“Suit yourself. So what happens now?”

I wiggled my toes in my ankle boots and looked around, tallying our location with the guide I’d been given. The burial plot overlooking the town had been dug and was draped with cloth. A simple coffin rested on the plinth. Two workers had retreated a discreet distance away. The minister had parked a golf cart on the edge of the road and was striding towards us, Bible in hand. “We stand here and look pretty,” I said.

“Easily done. I can probably spring a tear if necessary,” Lily added. “But I have to draw the line at throwing myself into the grave.”

“You don’t need to do either. Just look solemn. I didn’t think the city would spring for something like this.” I’d expected a pauper’s grave in a quiet corner of the cemetery, although my only experience of what one of those would be like was from watching period movies. Something simple, at least, was what I’d assumed. Yet the coffin seemed good quality and it was draped with a beautiful bouquet of white lilies. I reached for the card peeking from under the foliage, surprised at the signature.

“We should have held the wake at my bar.”

“No one would come. We’re the only two people here.”

“Three,” said Lily.

“I forgot the minister.”

“Oh, four then.” Lily pointed. My mom was barreling towardsus, clearly in a race with the minister. She passed him a few steps before he reached the graveside and stopped next to us, heaving a breath.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I did know him,” she said.

“You probably met him twice. Years ago.”

Mom bristled. “It would be rude not to come. I’m sure he would have done the same for me.”

“He would wait until your burial was underway and the house was clear, then rob you.”

Mom gave me a dirty look and before she could retort, I waved her quiet, as the minster began his short sermon.

Afterwards, as we thanked the minister and shook hands, my mother peppered him with questions. I turned away and caught movement from the corner of my eye. Just a blur of a shadow next to a tree.

“Keep her occupied,” I said to Lily quietly.

I walked towards the treeline, watching for more movement, but there was no sign of anyone. When I reached the trees, I stopped and said clearly, “I saw you.”

“I intended you to,” said Gideon, emerging from behind a thick oak, just enough that I could see him while remaining obscured from the burial plot.

“It was a nice service for your father.”

“Probably better than he deserved.”

“Wouldn’t you rather he was interred with your mother?” I wondered.

“She was cremated,” he said.

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