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Mike
Mike waved him off. No, Nate. It took me a while, but I really do understand the bond you guys had.
I m just saying I was a little jealous, that s all.
Not sure how to respond, Nate said, So what was the favor you wanted?
Mike sighed. Like I said, nothing was more important to Amy than knowing that the two men she loved
the most were on good terms. When you and I got into that fight over Nash, Amy was crushed. She
cried all night long. And even though she s gone now, I can t help but think that maybe, in some way, she
knows about what happened between us after the funeral. I want Amy to see that you and I have
patched up our differences so she can rest in peace. I want you to drive out to the cemetery with me, so
we can tell her, together.
Nate was surprised. He never figured Mike for the type to wax existential. The only thing he d ever
heard Mike say about the hereafter was they d better have beer and college football in Heaven or he
wasn t going. Now he was standing in Nate s kitchen carrying on about Amy resting in peace by
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knowing the two of them had patched things up. Nate started to refuse straight away, but decided to try
and talk him out of it instead. Mike, the temperature is in the high thirties tonight. Maybe we can go out
there tomorrow afternoon, before the sun sets.
Mike s face took on a look of pleading. I need to do this, Nate. Please? For Amy?
Nate sighed. Mike had played the one card he knew Nate couldn t refuse. Fine. Let me get my coat
and we ll go.
Nate grabbed his coat and his keys. Giving Sasha one final pat, he motioned Mike outside and then
locked the place up tight. When they got to the driveway, Mike started towards his car, but Nate shook
his head.
Lets use my car, Mike. I haven t had much of a chance to drive it yet, and it ll give me a chance to show
you what she can do.
Nate thought Mike seemed a little agitated, but he wrote it off as a natural reaction to visiting Amy s
grave. Mike was hesitant, looking down at his watch a couple of times before saying, Fine, let s just go
and get this over with.
Nate waited until Mike slid into the passenger seat before taking his own place behind the wheel. After
starting the car, he switched on the power locks and backed out of the driveway.
* * *
Brandon flew out of Marjorie s room and down the stairs to the basement parking area, the acrid taste of
fear burning his mouth. He barked orders into his radio as he went, Sam at his heels. In between yelling
into the radio, Brandon told Sam about Marjorie s revelation. When they reached the garage, Sam said,
What now, Boss?
I ve called every unit I ve got, and I ve also got the state police on their way to block all the roads
leading out of town. His hands were shaking as he got into the SUV and grabbed his pistol from under
the seat. Follow me out to the house. Jim and Dewey are already on their way. Stay out of sight until I
give the signal to move. I don t know what Vaughn is planning, but he knows Marjorie is awake, and
he s got to be afraid she s gonna remember something. He punched his keys into the ignition. We re
wasting time. Follow me in your car, and I ll fill you in on the rest over the radio.
Sam nodded and ran to his car. Only seconds had passed since Brandon had heard Marjorie s statement
and raced to the garage, but it seemed like hours to Bran. He pulled out of the underground parking area
without even looking and headed back towards Reed. He switched on the radio and said, Sam, you
there?
Sam s voice came through loud and clear despite the impossible speed they were both traveling. Yeah,
Bran, go ahead.
Vaughn made a phone call just after you called to tell me about Marjorie. My guess is, he s not working
alone. If I m right, he s gonna call in his partner for backup.
Before he could say anything else, his cell phone rang. Bran pressed the talk button and all but yelled,
What, into the mouthpiece.
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The dispatcher said, I just got a report back from the deputies I sent to your house. No one s there,
Sheriff. No sign of either Dr. Morris or Mike Vaughn.
Brandon swore under his breath. Where the hell were they?
* * *
Just as they reached the cemetery gates, Nate remembered something. Mike, I forgot to grab the flower
arrangement Grandma Taylor made to go over Amy s headstone. Let me just run back to the house and
get them.
Mike shook his head. I don t think that s such a good idea.
Why not?
Even in the confines of the darkened car, Nate could see the glint of silver as Mike pulled out the small
pistol he d tucked in his pocket. Mike held it steady and pointed the thing directly at Nate. Flowers are
the last thing you need to be worried about right now.
* * *
Brandon flexed his foot on the accelerator, a million gruesome scenarios playing out in his mind. He
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