Chapter 1409
Time flew by, and before they knew it, the end of the month had arrived.
Because the priest at the local church had changed the date twice, the final exhumation was set for 10 a.m. on September 26th.
It was only a few days before Tarquin’s birthday, which fell on September 29th.
The night before the exhumation, Elysia went over the checklist for the next day, reading it again and again.
After she’d memorized every detail, she double-checked all the things they’d need, determined not to let a single thing slip through the cracks.
She genuinely admired Kendrick and Elizabeth, her late parents-in-law, from the bottom of her heart.
Elysia never quite knew how to express the love she felt for them as a daughter- in-law. All she could do was make sure tomorrow’s reburial ceremony would go perfectly her own way of showing respect.
By the time she finished, it was already 11 p.m.
The kids were fast asleep, so Elysia headed to the study to find Tarquin.
He was sitting at his desk, smoking, but quickly stubbed it out when he saw her. Elysia walked over, picked up his lighter, and lit a new cigarette for him herself.
“If you’re stressed, just smoke,” she said softly.
Tarquin put out the cigarette again, then pulled her into his arms.
“No matter how bad I’m feeling, I just need to see you. You’re better than any cigarette, you know that p>
Elysia sat down on his lap, arms around his neck without even thinking about it.
“I went through the checklist again,” she said. “Everything’s set for tomorrow. No mistakes. First thing in the morning, we’ll go pick up Mom p>
“Thank you, babe p>
She hugged him a little tighter. “It’s already eleven. Shouldn’t you head over to the old house p>
Kendrick’s memorial was kept in the family chapel at the old house.
The priest had asked Tarquin to spend the night there, joining in prayers with the monks to prepare for the reburial in the morning.
Superstitious or not, Elysia figured anything that brought peace of mind to the living was worth it.
Tarquin glanced at the clock. “Yeah, I should get going. You get some rest. I’ll be back early to pick you guys up p>
“Promise me you won’t be too sad, okay? I worry about you p>
He smiled pinched her cheek affectionately, “I won’t be sad, you’re right We should be happy
and Dad finally get to be together again. It’s a good thing.” s
Elysia nodded. “Exactly. If we’re happy, they’ll be happy too p>
She rested her cheek on his shoulder: “Even if they can’t be here
you still have me and the kids als
always be with you, no matter what.” s
Tarquin was touched. He ran his hand gently through her hair.
Just then, Tarquin’s phone rang-Lowell was calling, reminding him it was time to head to the old house.
Elysia let out a deep breath and climbed off his lap. “Alright, go on. You’ve got important things to do p>
“Yeah. You get some sleep p>
“I will p>
They hugged one more time and left the study together.
Tarquin walked her back to their bedroom, watched her get into bed, tucked the blanket around her, and kissed her forehead before he left.
At the door, he couldn’t help but look back at her. “Goodnight, sweetheart p>
Elysia, already wrapped up in her comforter, replied in her best cheerful voice, “Night, honey. See you tomorrow p>
Tarquin grinned, turned off the light, and closed the door behind him.
He met up with Lowell, and as soon as they got in the car, Tarquin’s phone rang again.
It was a call from an anonymous number.
Tarquin had a feeling he knew what was coming, narrowed his eyes, and answered.
He stayed silent, and so did the caller.
After a long pause, the voice on the other end finally spoke, distorted by a voice changer.
“Ran into Big Gale Windham out on
the Atlantic. That shipment snudet
oukthrough Hawkins Shipping Just got it-and it’s been switched p>
M?
s
There was a weary sigh. “Tarquin, you really aren’t going to make life easy for me, are you p>
Tarquin recognized the mysterious caller immediately. He didn’t bother with small talk. “Are you coming tomorrow or not p>