Page 66 of Blood Vows

“That's complicated,” Marco said.

“Everything is fucking complicated. Where is he?” Dante growled.

“He’s in St. Matthew’s Cemetery,” Marco said. Elena frowned.

Dante sighed. “What the hell is he doing there?”

“Nothing,” Marco said. “He's buried there.”

Elena's stomach sank. “What?”

“Dr. Stephen Vale died four days ago and was buried yesterday morning,” Marco said.

Dante went completely still. “How did he die?”

“Car accident.” Elena closed her eyes. Of course it was a car accident. The man who had signed Hale's questionable death certificate had died the day before her entire life had blown up.

“Do you think it was an accident?” Dante asked.

“I don't believe in those anymore,” Marco said.

“Neither do I. When was he buried?” Dante asked.

“Nine forty-two yesterday morning,” Marco said.

“That was before Elena’s storage unit was accessed,” Dante said.

“Yes, it was,” Marco agreed.

“Anything unusual about his death?” Dante asked.

“His car went off a bridge.”

“Was the body recovered?” Dante asked.

“Yes,” Marco said. According to the newspaper clipping, his viewing was open casket.

Elena opened her eyes. “Marco?”

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Was he wearing a ring?” she asked.

Marco asked, “What kind of ring?” Elena described the one in the photograph and was met with more silence, followed by keyboard clicks on the other end of the call.

“I was able to pull up the coroner's property report,” he said.

Her pulse accelerated. “And?”

“No ring,” Marco said.

Dante's expression hardened. “Could have lost it in the crash.”

“Could have,” Marco said. Nobody seemed to believe that, though.

“Find out who claimed his personal effects,” Dante ordered.

“Already doing it,” Marco said.