Page 58 of Fatal Thrill
Jon lifted a foot and kicked the doors in, a few sections of wood splintered and the lock wentflying.
Behind them on the path, Charlotte spoke in low tones to Miles as he helped her through the tangled brush. Shelby had stayed back, waiting for DetectiveMaitland.
Jon stuck his head in. “Nobody’s been inside here inyears.”
A part of her breathed a sigh of relief. Another felt letdown. “NoFinn.”
“Nope.”
Miles and Charlotte caught up to them. “Not exactly the best place for kidnapping or torture, but I’ve seen worse,” Milessaid.
Jon started to go inside, but Jaya stopped him. “Wait.” Her eyes caught on something propped against the large tree on the edge of the graveyard. “What is that? Is it ashovel?”
Jon peered around the open door. “Well, thisisagraveyard.”
“Yeah, one that hasn’t been used in several hundredyears.”
“Good point.” He shifted her aside. “Stay here. I’ll have alook.”
For once, Jaya didn’t insist on going with him. Images of a freshly dug grave made her feel queasy. Jon’s form became two, then three, and she had to put a hand against the solid brick of the church to keep herselfsteady.
Oh, Finn. Please don’t behere.
Jon kicked at the ground, bent over, and moved weeds out of the way. He gave her a quick glance, then set his hands on his hips for a moment, his faceserious.
Jaya’s stomach dropped. “Is there a freshgrave?”
The only answer was Miles pushing through the dead grass and weeds, following Jon’s path. Miles stopped next to him and his head snapped back to her and Charlotte. He gave her a tightnod.
Jaya’s legs shook and she sat down. Justplop,she landed on the cold ground. She couldn’t stay standing, her guts crawling withfear.
Charlotte crouched next to her and grabbed her hand. “We don’t know it’s your brother or your dad. Havefaith.”
Jaya gripped her hand like it was a lifesaver. “Faith has never been one of my strongsuits.”
“Uh, guys?” Colton’s voice came to life in her ear. “We’ve gotcompany.”
“Detective Maitland?” Jonasked.
“NotMaitland.”
Miles pulled his weapon from its hiding place. “Who?”
“I’m not a hundred percent sure,but…”
Shelby’s voice burst in. “Three tiny houses on wheels and two small RVs. I’d sayGypsies.”
Charlotte met Jaya’s eyes. “Might be family of yours. Let’s go meetthem.”
Her legs didn’t feel strong enough to do that. “What if they’re not friendly? Even if Iamrelated to them, they kicked my grandmother out a long time ago because she married my grandfather. I’m outcast, just like those men in thebar.”
“Outcast or not, don’t you want to meet them and findout?”
Charlotte and Jon helped her to her feet, but Jon shook his head. “Exposing yourself is risky. Let me try to find out for sure who they are and why they’rehere.”
“I want to know who or what is in that grave,” Jaya said, pointing toward the spot near the tree. “Miles, startdigging.”
“Jaya.” Shelby’s voice held a hint of warning. “We shouldn’t disturb the grave until Percy gets here. It’s a possible crimescene.”
