Page 31 of Dark Shadows
“Next time, stomp your feet or something. I have enough dead people surprising me.” Her heartbeat finally slowed to something resembling normal.
Mason scanned the cemetery then looked back at her. “What are you doing out here?”
Savanah hesitated. “I just needed air. It’s like everything I didn’t deal with is getting dug up just like that body in the barn.”
He nodded, something unreadable passing through his expression. “I get it. But we should head back. There’s still a lot to cover, and it’s not safe for you to be out here alone.”
They turned toward Beverly’s house. Even with Mason beside her, the uneasy feeling still clung to her skin.
She drifted a little closer, matching his pace. It didn’t hurt to make sure Mason’s gun was within her reach, just to be safe.
She should have borrowed one from Ryley before leaving town. Lord knows the woman had her own arsenal of weapons for the living and the dead.
Mason led her toward Beverly’s house. Jacob was already on his way down the steps, phone in hand.
“There’s no preliminary hits on the symbol that was carved into the chair.”
“Could be ritualistic. Maybe Beverly was into some weird cult stuff?”
“Local PD says she was a regular church-goer.” Jacob shrugged. “But people have secrets. We should ask the husband if the chair was marked before she died.”
“Good call.” Mason nodded. “Let’s head to the station to ask him. Maybe he can tell us when she bought that chair and whether the carving is new. I want timestamps from neighbors, too. Who saw what and when.”
13
Mason watched Bill Granger through the two-way mirror, noting his tense posture and bloodshot eyes. The former football star looked wrecked, but that was expected. Finding your wife murdered did that to a man.
“You sure about this?” Jacob asked beside him. “Guy’s been through enough today.”
“Something’s off.” Mason crossed his arms. “Beverly was killed because Savanah came back, but Bill doesn’t seem surprised. Or angry.”
“Maybe because they dated?”
“Or maybe there’s more to it.” Mason pushed off the wall. “Let’s find out.”
Inside the interview room, Bill straightened as Mason sat across from him. His eyes were rimmed in red, and his hands trembled slightly as he reached for a bottle of water.
“I know this is difficult,” Mason said, “but I need you to walk me through last night again.”
Bill nodded. “I worked the night shift. Got off at six this morning, went home, and...” His voice cracked. “Found her like that.”
“And before your shift?”
“She was at the diner. Called around nine. Said she was heading home early.” His jaw clenched. “I should’ve been there.”
Mason slid a photo of the symbols carved into the dining room chair across the table. “Have you ever seen these before? They were cut into the chair Beverly was tied to. We’ve already forwarded them to Quantico’s symbol database, but we haven’t gotten a match yet. Does that symbol mean anything to you?”
Bill leaned forward, squinting at the image. “No. That chair’s been in our dining room for years. Those weren’t there yesterday morning.”
“Was Beverly part of any groups? Religious circles? Anything unusual?”
Bill let out a dry laugh. “Beverly? She went to church on Sundays and ran the diner. That was her whole world.” He pushed the phone away, but hesitated. “Although...”
“Although what?”
“She’d been acting off lately. Paranoid. Kept saying she felt like someone was watching her.”
Mason leaned forward slightly. “How long had that been going on?”
