Page 75 of Deadly Avarice
A stab of pain sang through my bicep as I shifted my weight. I took the time to check the wound, happy it didn’t look too deep. Maybe I could get one of those healing potions from the captain. By the time I made it to Boone, I’d be all healed up and ready for a good meal and some quality time between the sheets.
As always, thoughts of cuddling up with Erasmus Boone eased the ache in my chest and lightened the weight constantlypulling at my shoulders. I couldn’t wait to see his face, to hear his voice, and feel his touch. I reminded myself that it would be just a few short hours. Somehow, even that minuscule amount of time seemed like forever.
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Erasmus
Trinity Holy Cross was just how I’d remembered it. The last time I’d been here was when I’d brought Antony Livingston’s soul back. That little trip from beyond the veil hadn’t gone like his grandchildren hoped. I stared at Antony’s headstone. I could feel the gentle echo of his soul far beneath the ground. The man was content. Possibly more so after I’d brought him back and he’d gotten to have a final say. I also knew there was a small fortune hidden in the lower portion of Antony’s casket, safely out of his greedy grandchildren’s lives.
I briefly wondered what Antony would think if he knew that his grandson Bart’s soul had been decimated—shredded to the point that there was nothing left. I think he’d be sad. I also think he’d understand and realize that Bart had reaped what he’d sowed in life. Unfortunately, those actions bled into Bart’s afterlife.
Inhaling deeply, I pulled the scent of freshly turned soil deep into my lungs. Graveyards were my second home. There were a few select graveyards I visited simply for the peace they granted me. Trinity Holy Cross wasn’t one of those cemeteries, but it wasn’t migraine inducing either. I hadn’t chosen one ofmy favorite graveyards for the same reason I didn’t ask Janet Meeker to meet me at my home. Those patches of earth weren’t meant for business.
Crouching, I ran my fingers over the soft petals of a lavender rose. I doubted the flower was left by any of Antony’s relatives. More likely, Alexandra Randolph had left it. I hoped that were the case. Alexandra’s grandfather, Theodore, had a close friendship with Antony. It was nice to know the man wasn’t completely forgotten.
Pushing back up, I patted the top of Antony’s gravestone while swallowing down my earlier anxiety. Franklin had been in a shootout today. I didn’t know the details, only that he was fine.
Fine, I reminded myself on repeat. Franklin was fine. He hadn’t had a lot of time to talk, but Franklin said he was shot but the wound was minor. He’d successfully captured Boggs and Billy was safe. Franklin said some of Pops’s charms helped, but he hadn’t gone into specifics. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear those details. I’d thought my heart was going to explode through my chest. The only thing that kept me sane and coherent was the fact that it was Franklin and not someone else that was relaying the story.
He’s fine.
My fingers trembled as they danced along the top of Antony’s headstone. “Franklin’s fine,” I said out loud, as if the spoken words might make me finally believe it. I’d wanted to dash to the precinct, but Franklin wasn’t there. He was still processing the scene. Franklin said he’d text me later with an update.
I’d been so mixed up with fear and relief that I hadn’t remembered to tell him that Janet was coming to me and where I was going. I’d considered sending him a text but didn’t want to bother him. Franklin was busy and his mind needed to be on the case at hand. This was just a run-of-the-mill job for me.
“Necromancer Boone?”
I jerked. I was so lost in thought I hadn’t heard anyone approach. Turning, I plastered a smile on my face and nodded. “I assume you’re Ms. Meeker.” I kept my hands inside my pockets. Knowing very few wanted to actually touch a necromancer, I didn’t typically offer my hand.
“I am.” Janet Meeker smiled brightly. She had a large urn tucked under her arm and a deep purple jacket with an embroidered tiger head over her heart with the letters LSU below. The hood was pulled up hiding her hair. Large sunglasses were perched on top of her nose. I didn’t think it was cold enough to warrant the hoodie and while it was sunny out, the pale winter shade wasn’t bright enough to bother my eyes. Maybe Janet’s eyes were more sensitive.
“Thank you for driving all this way.” I shifted so my back was to Antony’s gravestone. “I’m sorry you felt the need to do that.”
“Nonsense.” Janet waved off my concern. “It wasn’t a hardship. In fact, I think this might be for the best after all.” Janet’s gaze traveled around the cemetery. A few families were scattered about, but they were far away and grieving in private. I had no intention of interrupting their mourning.
Janet’s eyes darted behind her, and I asked, “Are you looking for someone else?” I’d heard her speaking to someone else while we were on the phone and thought she might bring someone with her.
“Hmm? Oh no, not really.” Janet turned her megawatt smile back on me. Her teeth were unnaturally white against equally unnaturally tanned skin. “Um, where would you like to do this?”
I spread my hands wide. “Here is fine.”
Janet’s lips pursed and she looked around again. Finally, her eyes rested a short distance away. “Do you mind if we step over there? I hadn’t really expected so many people to be here, and I’d like some privacy.”
Janet and I had different opinions on what constitutedso many people, but I wasn’t one to judge. With a shrug I answered, “Sure, I don’t mind.”
I hadn’t realized Janet was tense until her shoulders eased and she said, “Thanks. That would be great. That tree over there by the mausoleum should be good. Granddaddy loved trees and was fascinated by architecture. I think that would be the perfect place to bring him back.”
Janet and I walked over together. The area wasn’t far. Tucked behind a giant oak tree and the limestone mausoleum, we were hidden from nearly everyone else’s view. It wasn’t a bad idea, really. If someone did look over to see a swarming pile of cremains, it might be a bit unsettling.
“I’m assuming that’s your granddaddy,” I said while nodding at the urn. My necromancer senses were distracted. There were at least two inhabitants of the mausoleum that were not even remotely content. Our close proximity was playing havoc with my senses and my head was already starting to ache. I wanted to ask to go somewhere else, but more than that, I just wanted this over with. I wanted to get to Franklin. I decided then and there that even if Franklin wasn’t back at the precinct by the time I was finished, I’d head there anyway and wait for him. I couldn’t fathom going back home without laying eyes on him.
“Oh yes. This is him. Should I just set him down there?” Janet asked while looking at the two steps leading into the mausoleum.
“That sounds like a good idea.”
She moved forward, setting the urn on the steps. It rattled back and forth a little. While the step wasn’t exactly even, I’d never seen an urn do that before. They were typically heavy enough that they didn’t easily tip. It was…odd.
