"So I suppose we should..." I eyed the cold room beyond, "get up."
"Probably."
He pulled me down to him in a kiss that said we weren't going anywhere for a while yet.
IT WAS midmorning by the time I finally got into the shower. As I dressed, Jeremy slipped out. I was pretty sure it was too late to pretend he'd spent the night on the sofa, but that wouldn't stop him from trying.
I'd hoped we could get a complete update from the police, but even Jeremy's polite charm could win only a grudging summary from the young woman guarding the scene. Yes, they'd uncovered a second body. Yes, they were looking for more but, no, she wasn't confirming that they expected to find more.
I'd also hoped to sit out in the garden, maybe find a quiet corner and let the children know I was still there, but the best I could manage was permission to sit on the balcony off my room, and I only got that because--after a brief conference--they seemed to decide there wasn't much they could do to stop me, as long as I wasn't taking pictures of the scene.
We gathered breakfast and went up, leaving the bedroom door open so no one could accuse me of holing up with my lover while I was supposed to be "on the set." Not that I had anything scheduled yet. I'd passed Todd Simon in the hall and he'd only blathered, "Plans, big plans. Be ready for my call, Jaime." My guess? He had this big opportunity and no idea how to use it.
Grady was doing the morning-show rounds. As for Angelique, I'd looked for her, wanting to make sure she didn't feel left out, but I must admit, with the case and Jeremy on my mind, I hadn't looked very hard. I'd make it up to her at that revival in Nebraska.
As Jeremy ate, sitting on a patio chair, I watched the scene below. There wasn't much to see. Two technicians were working on the spot near where we'd found Rachel Skye. Tools and equipment scattered about indicated there were more people involved, maybe taking a coffee break.
"The children aren't making contact," I said. "I don't know if they can, with me being up here. Maybe they don't know I'm around. Or maybe they're gone. If they move the bodies, the ghosts might go with them. And then--"
"When this is over, Eve will find them. But, as you both said, it's more likely they'll stay here."
I nodded, staring out over the yard. "Do you think they know what's happening? Can they see what's going on?" I nibbled my lip. "I've never been able to tell how well they see or hear things on this side of the veil. Maybe they're watching their bodies being dug up--"
He'd moved up behind me, hands going to my hips, pulling me close. His lips tickled the back of my neck. I leaned into him.
"Stop worrying, right?" I said. "There's nothing I can do about it."
"Yes, there is. We can catch whoever is behind this. Then you'll free those souls--"
"What if I can't?"
His kisses circled to my ear. "You will. Once we know what was done to them, you can free them. Eve said--"
"Maybe she's just saying that to calm me down, so I don't freak out--"
He turned me around to face him. "Does that sound like Eve?"
I shook my head.
"The children are fin
e," he continued. "It's unlikely they will leave, and if they do, we'll find them. It's also unlikely they understand what's happening, and if they do, they'll get over it once they're freed, which you will do just as soon as you're able to." His lips brushed my forehead. "Now come inside. Hope's probably wondering why we haven't called--"
"Ms. Vegas?" A rap at the open door. It was one of the guards. "Are you in here?"
I called an invitation and we stepped back into the room as he entered.
"Do you know a May Donovan?" he asked. "Lawyer? Works for some paranormal group?"
"Sure. What's up?"
"She was here this morning. Demanded to speak to you. Started off nice enough, but when I said you weren't available, she got pushy. Came right inside looking for you. We stopped her before she got far, but then she went out back and questioned the police..."
Jeremy stepped up beside me, frowning. "Did she seem upset?"
"Pissed off. Like we were hiding something. She wants you to call her. That Simon guy doesn't want you to--didn't even want me giving you the message--but that didn't seem right."
THE LESSON OF THE NYMPHS