The Gravedigger, Kacie Clement [surface ebook reader TXT] 📗

Willie Mae patted Kamira’s cheek gently, replying, “I am fine. Kamira, this is your special day. Do not worry about me. Maeve wants my beignet recipe, and I was trying to remember my recipe.”

Kamira, wrinkling her brow, looked at her auntie with concern. She knows that recipe inside and out. She’s worried about something.

Terrance took her hand and said, “It’s time for our dollar dance, love.”

Vittoria stood, tacking a thousand-dollar bill onto Terrance’s lapel, “I get the first dance with this handsome man.”

Howard laughed, standing, “Really, Vittoria?” Attaching three thousand-dollar bills on the veil Kamira still wore, he said, “Then I must dance with the beautiful bride.”

As Kamira and Terrance moved to the dance floor, Willie Mae pondered the recent events of the past 24 hours. What happened last night? It has to have something to do with George Buchanan. Alyce Ann may have said George was sorry for Clifton’s death. Still, she knows he wouldn’t have handed over the five million dollars Alyce Ann gave her willingly.

Willie Mae knew deep in her belly that her family was still a target for the State Line Mob with a sinking feeling. It was her job to protect them.

When the clock struck midnight, Jack approached Kamira saying, “I will drive Willie Mae and the Bellow sisters’ home.”

Kamira nodded silently. “See if you can find out what’s going on with Willie Mae. She is anxious about something. We need to know what is going on before she takes action on her own.”

“Will do.” As Jack turned to gather the older women to drive them home, he laughed. Maeve Gallucci and Todd Carter were dancing an Irish jig on the dance floor.

Kamira turned, looking to see why Terrance was laughing. Seeing Maeve and Todd dancing, she shook her head, not believing what she was seeing.

“What is with the DeLucas? They seem to charm everyone. I just don’t understand it.”

Jack winked at Kamira, gently kissing her cheek. “Do not worry, my girl. Todd has had a few beers, and Maeve Gallucci is incredibly enchanting.”

On the drive home, Jack glanced at Willie Mae, whose brow deeply furrowed. Pulling up to the front of the estate, he asked her, “What’s going on, Willie Mae? What are you thinking? Or more so, what are you planning?”

Willie Mae looked at Jack with intense sadness. She replied quietly, “Don’t worry, Jack, I am just tired. It has been a long day.”

Jack watched as Willie Mae went into the dark Bellow estate. A sense of dread filled his core.

Chapter 3

Kamira moved silently down the stairs early Monday morning, smelling the aroma of coffee coming from the kitchen. Seeing Terrance on his cell phone, she quietly poured herself a large mug of strong black coffee and sat down across from him at the kitchen table.

Terrance was disconnecting the call and said, “Good morning, Mrs. James, aka Jackson.”

“Good morning, Mr. James. Who were you speaking to so early in the morning?”

Terrance smiled. “I was talking to the airlines. I couldn’t cancel our tickets to Aruba. But I could turn two first-class tickets into four economy seats and have them be open-ended.”

Kamira tilted her head to the left, saying, “Four economy seats? Why would we need four?”

Terrance smiled slyly. “I thought when we were able, and Keisha had the baby, the five of us could honeymoon together in Aruba.”

Kamira laughed. “You want to take my cousin Billie, Keisha, and a new baby on our honeymoon, dear? Are you afraid to spend a week alone with your new wife? I think it’s a great idea. You and Billie could do your water sports, and Keisha and I could shop.”

Terrance heard his phone ring. Looking up at Kamira, he said, “It’s Ben.”

Pushing a paper pad and a pen over to Terrance, Kamira sat back in her chair, silently drinking her coffee.

After Terrance disconnected his call, he looked at Kamira, saying, “Ben has identified the body in the church. The deceased is named Daniel Billings. He estimates he has been in that wall for over two decades. We will know more tomorrow after additional testing. Odd, his next of kin is a retired colonel, Dusty Williams. I have notified him of Billings’ death, and he would like to do a Skype call with us this morning at 11 am.”

“Which means Daniel Billings was military at some point. Where is Colonel Williams located?” Kamira said, looking at the pad of paper.

“He lives about five miles from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Say, we’re driving Willie Mae to work this morning. She called and said Harry was bringing her here at 7 am. He is due to start the remodeling of your office today. I am going to go jump in the shower and get ready for the day.”

Kamira smiled mischievously, “I will join you.”

Kamira and Terrance had just gotten back into the kitchen when Willie Mae and Harry walked through the screen door.

“Morning, Kamira, Terrance.” Willie Mae said as she poured herself and Harry a cup of coffee."

Kamira walked over and kissed her auntie on the cheek, “Good morning, Auntie. Ready for your meeting today? I hear the Mayor is coming.”

“He is. We are going to talk about the sidewalks today in the old town. With all these tourists that will come soon, we need to repave them.”

Terrance glanced at the two women seated at the table. “I’m going to take Harry upstairs and show him the blueprints that we have drawn out.”

Kamira nodded her head and watched the two men go up the stairs. Looking back at Willie Mae, she asked, “Auntie, I know something is bothering you. Why don’t we talk about it before work? Maybe I can help?”

Kamira watched as Willie Mae’s eyes took on a worried look. She listened as Willie Mae said, “There is nothing for you to worry about, girl. I am going out to the garden, and I need to call Mavis McDonald before work. I missed book club yesterday, and I want to apologize. Let me know when you’re