Page 26 of Dead and Gone

"Marvin."

He glances at his companion. "If you mean the mole, check Insta."

"We already did. Do you know who possesses the stolen exhibit?" I ask.

"Human kids from town. What's it to you?"

I slant my head. "Because I like collecting dead bodies."

"You're a bloody weirdo," he says.

"And apparently a murderous one who drags victims from graves with her vampire boyfriend for fun." I look at him unblinkingly. "Would you like to wait around and see what we do to the bodies?"

"You're lying."

I sigh. "Do make your mind up. Am I a murderous weirdo or not?"

He huffs at me and glances at Grayson. "Take this as a warning—we've seen you tonight.

And so has somebody else.

As the suitably spooked guys walk away, I glance in the direction that the mystery figure ran. I'm tempted to either seek him or her out or remain and search for a Redridge gravesite to find more of the family's names.

However, I have a better lead to follow, thanks to Rowan's detective work. One that may yield better results.

Grayson chuckles and wraps an arm around my shoulders before kissing the top of my head. “I love you, Violet, how could I ever resist your eldritch charms?”

“Likewise,” I reply, as we walk from the graveyard.

12

I gazeat the table where I last sat with the curator, mentally drawing lines between facts I've discovered in my investigation and piecing together what I can. Rowan and Leif stacked empty plates and cups in front of them, and Rowan now studies his laptop while Leif scrolls through his phone. I slide into the booth beside Leif.

"Any more Marvin posts?" asks Grayson, sitting beside and squishing me between the pair. "Reports of stolen gems?"

"Where were you?" asks Rowan curtly. "You're late."

"We took a detour through the graveyard," I reply.

"How romantic." Leif chuckles.

"To look for a Redridge grave as names of Arthur's relatives may be inscribed," I say firmly. "We're late because we were forced to deal with ridiculous insinuations about the reason for our visit fromthem."

The two guys we encountered now sit with two town girls on what appears to be a double date and steadfastly ignore us.

"And did you find anything interesting?" asks Rowan.

"Yes."

"A Redridge grave?" He sits straighter.

"No. Somebody followed us."

Leif shifts around to face me. "Who?"

"Unknown. I was about to pursue the person when the delightful boys over there interrupted."

"Why would someone follow you to the graveyard?" he asks.

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