Page 75 of Sin With Me

Chapter19

Cameron

I heldthe flashlight between my teeth and removed the board in the chapel floor. A few crickets chirped outside, and the moon illuminated the space through the glass stained windows, creating a murkier atmosphere than during daytime. The round sphere morphed into a different planet each time I shifted and caught a differently colored glass pane. A mosquito buzzed in my ear and I swept my hand, trying to rid of it. It didn’t work. The pesky bug had been irritating me since the moment I’d left the church.

The annoying noise suddenly quieted, and I slapped my hand over my rightbrow.

“Gotcha.”

The sting would leave a mark, but the mosquito was finally dead. I removed the same four boards we had earlier in the week and jumped into the crawl space.

“Let see what you got there, Cortez.”

I had planned to meet up with Brook in Tucson, but as the list of my questions about Kate’s family grew, my priorities shifted.

Dust rose from underneath my soles. I waited for it to settle and then searched with my flashlight until I found the three tombstones.

I reached into my back pocket for a wrench and wedged it between the granite slab, pushing on it. It barely budged. The heavy cover opposed the pressure of my hand for a few good moments, but then it finally moved. A small white coffin, about four feet long, rested in a granite compartment. I made the sign of the cross – “Forgive me, Father, for this sin” – then struck the lock on the front of the casket. It broke in half. The sound of the rusted metal falling apart vibrated around the crypt walls. I slowly lifted the lid. The chest gave out a hissing sound, as if warning me, and for the first time in years, I felt chills sweep over my arms. Inside was a small white envelope and nothingelse.

“What thefuck?”

The wind howled above, and remembering where I was, I cringed at my own words. This wasn’t right, but I had to know the truth. I had to find out whether Kate was truly in trouble; and it looked like she could be in more trouble than I thought. I took the envelope, stuffed it in my back pocket, and shut thelid.

I hurried back upstairs, replaced the boards, and sat down on the bench. The envelope had yellowed over time but was still in good condition. It wouldn’t have been if there had been a body in that casket instead of a few rocks, that was for sure. I tore through the seal and removed a single piece of paper.

“My blood, my flesh, my bones.”

The words, signed by Benjamin Cortez, squeezed my stomach as I realized that Kate’s family problems might have grown even greater. I picked up my phone and dialed my brother. He answered after the firstring.

“Is everything all right?”

“Yes, I need a favor. Do a background check on Hope Black.”

“Who’sthat?”

“Kate is Hope – Hope Katherine Black. I have a feeling she’s tied to Cortez. She may be our key to finding the family. Also, check all records for a kid with the name Michael Hernandez, born in Pace, Arizona, 1981. You’ll find a death record, but I need more. Check anyone suspicious of identity theft as well as adoption agencies.”

“That will be tougher. When do you need thisby?”

“Yesterday.”

“Got it. I’ll call you as soon as I know something. Hey, Cam, you sound like you may need help. Should Icome?”

“No. Is the ghost still intown?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have a contact number forher?”

“I do, but I can’t give itaway.”

“I’m your brother, for fuck’ssake.”

“And I don’t break promises, Cam. Not for anyone.”

I sighed. Of course he wouldn’t. It was one of my brother’s best qualities, and that was why I could trust him with my life. If he said the ghost was safe, then I had to believe him. And if the ghost was who I thought it was, then I had to leave my trust in her capable hands.

“All right, but you might want to put her on alert.”

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