AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Savannah smiled. “Thanks, Tony. That would be great.”
“Yes, thanks.” Hez thought for a moment. “I don’t have any further questions, at least for now.”
Once they were back in the hall, Hez turned to Savannah. “I’m less positive about him, but my gut says no.”
She nodded. “I’m pretty sure he meant everything he said. I’ve heard his gambling-debt speech at least half a dozen times, usually followed by a proposal to fund a museum in Veracruz. And he does have a point about how we got the Willard Treasure. It wasn’t illegal—especially back then—but it’s also not a story we’re very proud of. Tony can be a little bit of a zealot, but I don’t think he’s a thief.”
“Or a murderer.”
She nodded again, then glanced at the screenshotted list on her phone—and grimaced. “Okay, we’ve saved the best for last: Erik Andersen.”
“It doesn’t sound like he’s a favorite of yours.” He frowned. “Wait, is this the guy Jess dated?”
“Yes. I was surprised to find him still working here. He’s the department chair and is pretty full of himself.”
Hez wanted to ask more questions about Andersen’s personal history, but he restrained himself. The details of his relationship with Jess were a little murky. All Hez really remembered was that the ending had been ugly. Maybe that was why Jess was still single—and still on guard around the male species. “He’s a European history professor, isn’t he?”
“Yep, which makes it odd that he was in a warehouse that doesn’t contain any European artifacts.” She stopped outside Andersen’s office and knocked on the half-open door.
“Come in,” a deep male voice called.
They walked into an office that seemed more suited to a politician than a professor. The polished walnut bookcases and matching table were mostly decorated with awards and honorary degrees Andersen had received and pictures of him with famous people. The man himself sat behind an ornate walnut desk, smiling at them with too-perfect teeth. He was a big man, and Hez guessed that he’d probably been handsome in a rugged-Viking way about ten years ago. He still had the thick blond hair, broad shoulders, and square jaw, but he’d gotten squishy in the middle and florid in the face.
Andersen steepled his fingers. “What can I do for you?”
Hez cleared his throat. “We’re investigating the removal of artifacts from the Willard Treasure warehouse.”
“Oh yes. Beckett sent an email about that, didn’t he?” Andersen glanced at an expensive-looking watch. “I don’t know anything about it. Is there anything else? I’ve got a meeting I need to get ready for.”
“Just one thing: Why were you in the warehouse?”
His face went blank for an instant, but he recovered quickly. He furrowed his brows. “Hmm. I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I can’t recall the last time I was in there.”
Hez nodded to Savannah, who took out her phone and held up the screenshot of the log. “It was just over a week ago,” he said. “We know you were there.”
Another hint of terror flashed across his face as Andersen stared at her phone, followed by another fast recovery. “Oh . . . oh yes. Thanks for reminding me. I was just looking around. As head of the department it behooves me to look in on our collections from time to time, of course. Now, I’m sorry, but you really must excuse me. If you have more questions, please contact my secretary to schedule an appointment.”
“I think we have all we need,” Hez said. “For now.”
Back outside, Hez stared up the hill toward the cemetery. Savannah turned to stare that way too. “It’s the day after tomorrow.”
“I know,” was all he could say. Part of him wanted to suggest they go together, but he didn’t think he could bear the condemnation he was sure would be in Savannah’s eyes when they stood at their daughter’s grave.
* * *
Savannah hadn’t been able to sleep, and she rose with the sun and headed to the cemetery. The shade of the tupelo trees along the path up the hill cooled her heated cheeks, but the freezing sensation moving over her skin came from dread.
Three years.
Jess struggled to keep up in her heels. “I should have changed to my running shoes,” she muttered. “Wait up, Savannah.”
Savannah always stopped at this spot anyway. Marley flopped down in a shady spot, and she settled onto a chipped marble bench. It was the oldest place in the cemetery, and if such places could be beautiful, this one fit the bill. Most of the old graveyard had been neglected since many of the family members had moved away or gone on to eternity themselves, but this family plot at the top of the hill was a lovely gothic garden. Overgrown wildflowers and sprawling trees were sprinkled among pillared crypts and ornate headstones of stained and decaying marble.
Jess reached her, and her expression softened. “You doing okay, Savannah? I don’t know that it’s healthy to come here every year. Being confronted with it first thing in the morning sets you up for a terrible day. I worry about you.”
Savannah had her gaze fixed on her goal ahead. “Three years ago today, I lost everything that mattered to me, Jess. My daughter, my marriage, my happiness. This day will never bring anything but pain and loss. If it hadn’t been for a deep sense of God’s presence with me, I don’t know how I would have survived it all.”
She knew Jess would flinch, and she did. She hated it when Savannah brought up her faith. Savannah reached over to squeeze her hand. “You didn’t have to come, Jess. I know it’s not easy—not for any of us.”
