It would be a simple matter to look for the cart. He could lead a team, if that’s what they decided to do. But this was a Lucy gathering. Stepping in with the voice of authority would only send them to the hills withouthim.
“Aaron, do you know where they were sitting at the amphitheater?” Mariah asked. “Can you run up there and get a feel forthem?”
Okay, that wasn’tthe direction he’d seen this going. Walker watched with curiosity as the elegant antique dealer jogged off up thehill.
“We need our staffs,” Tullah called, locking up her shop, apparently apprised of the situation by one of the older women who accompaniedher.
“Flashlights, water,” Walker told them in resignation, gathering that practical wasn’t on their minds. “If we’re going upto the burn site, you’ll need stout shoes. Boots preferably, for snake protection.” He glanced down at Sam’s sneaker-clad feet. “You should stay here. We’ll need a communicationcentral.”
Ignoring his admonition, Sam called, “Tullah, do you have any boots that might fitme?”
The tall woman raised her walking stick, unlocked her door again, and gestured inside. “Got a few pair. Cometry themon.”
From across the street, Pasquale, the grocery store owner, came out carrying a case of bottled water. As if tuned in to a radio wave frequency beyond Walker’s hearing, more locals hurried down from the cottage lane. A few cars pulled into the lot. Harvey returned, holding a selection of carved staffs for anyone who didn’t havetheirs.
Water bottles were distributed.The crowd grew larger as the sun lowered in the sky. Walker chewed the rest of his sandwich while waiting for Aaron’sreturn.
The crowd grew quiet the moment they saw him jogging back down thehill.
“Valdis wanted to commune with her parents,” Aaron called when he came close enough for them tohear.
How the hell did he know that, Walker wondered, but he kept his mouthshut.
“I checked and she’s not at the cemetery,” Aaron continued. “The police have trampled the place, so there’s no sign ofher.”
They waited until he caught his breath and gulped from the water Mariah handedhim.
“Daisy went to look after the artwork,” Aaron finally said, wiping hismouth.
“What artwork?” Mariahdemanded.
Everyone else looked equallymystified.
