I nodded vigorously. "I'm sure you're right. I've been feeling the pull too. There's something in that garden."
"I fear so. You know what we must do, then, don't you?"
"Yes. We have to--"
"--avoid that garden at all costs. I wanted to warn you earlier, when I realized you were spending so much time out there."
"But--"
"Claudia, however, felt I was overreacting." Another pointed glare her way, then he reached for my hand. "Fight the urge, Jaime. For the sake of your soul, don't let evil win. We'll be gone from this place soon, but until then, we must all avoid that garden."
"But--"
He stood. "Now, Claudia and I are going into town for tea. Would you and Jeremy care to join us?"
DAMN, DAMN, damn!
I'd been so sure Grady would take the bait. The more I thought of it, though, the more I saw that my plan had one very big hole--it presumed that Grady's "hunt for evil" was pure showmanship. Yet when I'd heard him talking about the possession and seeing the wolf out back, I should have realized that his fervor was fueled by the passion of a true believer. Not unlike May Donovan and the group, he'd searched for some sign of the paranormal, but had always been disappointed. When the real supernatural world reared up in his face, he'd looked it in the eye and realized he wanted nothing to do with it.
Now, once again, I'd tipped my hand. I'd asked him to come outside, and he'd refused, an exchange that had probably been caught on the hidden cameras. So how suspicious would it look now if I went outside and found the body?
"Jaime?"
Angelique was coming down the stairs. I darted into the back hall, hoping to avoid her.
"Jaime?" Her voice sounded right behind me.
I turned and flashed a wide smile. "There you are. I thought I heard you. What's up, hon?"
"I wanted to thank you for trying to keep the show going."
"The fight's not over. Now, I have a call to make--"
"One more thing. There's this huge revival meeting in Nebraska next month and I was wondering if you might go with me. I know it's not your thing, but it attracts thousands of people."
"Nebraska? Um, sure, why not? Now, if you'll excuse me."
From her expression, she knew she was being brushed off, and I hated to do that, but told myself I'd make it up to her later.
I LOOKED across the patio for Jeremy. No sign. He'd probably overheard me with Angelique and slipped back to guard the burial site.
I was about to follow, then stopped. If I went back to that site, I had to be prepared to find the body. Was that wise? Or should I call Jeremy first and make sure we didn't have an alternative?
No. The more fussing we did now, the more likely we'd be caught trying to stage the discovery.
I headed into the garden.
"Jaime?"
Grady. I turned as he rounded the corner. I opened my mouth, then took one look at that gliding, almost feline gait and amended the greeting.
"Aratron."
He smiled, brilliant blue eyes twinkling. "I believe you wanted Bradford Grady. For a small matter of corpse discovery?"
I hesitated. "I'm not sure this--"
"--is a wise idea? Not the sort of thing to accuse me of, child. I am nothing if not wise." He motioned for me to continue walking and joined me. "It is clear that these people you chase are patient--this magic is not something they could have mastered overnight. From Eric Botnick you learned how careful they are to avoid the limelight, and how decisive they will be in ridding themselves of a potential threat. If you are surrounded by attention..."