Love Your Entity(77)

“I did hear something about her connection but it didn’t occur to me before,” Ronan said.

“Because we had no reason to think that Hal wasn’t where he was supposed to be—in his coffin at his grave site.” Turning back to Daniella, Sierra said, “Do you have time now to take me over there—”

“Take us over there,” Ronan interrupted her.

Pat joined them. Ronan asked him, “Do you have a problem with that?”

“Not as long as you limit your investigation to Hal’s remains,” Pat said.

Sierra immediately suspected something was going on between the vampire community and the funeral home. She just as quickly decided she really didn’t want to know any details about that subject at the moment.

“We can walk there. It’s only a couple of blocks,” Daniella said.

Ronan took hold of Sierra’s hand during the walk, as if hanging on to her protected her from being taken. At least that’s how it felt to her. There was little conversation during the short trip.

Once inside the Evergreen Funeral Home, Daniella paused to gently rearrange the flower arrangement on the marble table in the front foyer. Looking around, Sierra noted the muted wallpaper and dark wood that combined to create a feeling of class and comfort.

“I have to introduce you to my dad and brother,” Daniella said. “They run the place. If I don’t say something, they’ll get suspicious. My brother is here now.” She knocked on the funeral director’s door and led them inside. “Hey, Gordon, I’d like you to meet some friends of mine.”

As the introductions were made, Sierra was aware that Daniella’s brother was flirting with her. She could also tell that Ronan was aware of that fact and not happy about it. Ronan tugged her closer and put his arm around her shoulder, no doubt declaring her his property.

“And this is my dad and his wife, Franny,” Daniella added as the newcomers joined them.

Sierra could definitely see the family resemblance between the two men, who shared the same lanky build, dark hair, and blue eyes.

“This is Sierra Brennan. She’s an author,” Daniella was saying. “She writes as S. J. Brennan and she’s doing some research for her new book so I said I’d give her a tour.”

“I should be the one to give her the tour,” Gordon immediately said. “You don’t really know much about the business.”

“I’m most interested in the history of the place,” Sierra said. “You may have heard the story that my house was once owned by Hal Bergerstock, a member of Al Capone’s gang.”

Gordon nodded. “I have heard that, yes.”

“It’s true. I was wondering if you handled the details when he died? The funeral, burial, that sort of thing.”

“When was this?”

“Back in 1929.”

“Hold on,” Daniella’s dad said. “My grandfather told me about this case. The wife decided at the last minute to have the body cremated and bury the empty coffin.”

“Why?” Sierra asked.

“She wanted him to burn because he had a mistress who came to his funeral service and made a scene.”

“What would have happened to any personal belongings like a wedding ring?” Sierra asked.

“In most cases, jewelry is removed and kept by the family. Otherwise it’s kept with the body and burned.”

“That’s very helpful information. Thanks.” She and Ronan made a hasty exit. As Sierra and Ronan walked back to the house, she said, “At least we now know what happened to Hal’s body.”

“Maybe that’s what pissed him off,” Ronan said. “Being cremated instead of buried.”

“I don’t think so. He referred to his treasure.”

“He’s dead. Whatever this damn treasure is, he can’t do anything with it.”

“He doesn’t want anyone else having it,” she said.

“If that key was burned to a crisp with him, then we are in deep shit.” Ronan’s voice was grim.

A package from Amazon stood on the front porch. She’d ordered a new nightgown the day before and clicked on overnight shipping. That was all before she’d almost been yanked into hell or wherever.

“Why was Pat here?” she asked.

Ronan filled her in. Mutant vampire-demon hybrids? It was getting to be all too much for her to decipher. Maybe she’d be able to think more clearly once she had sex with Ronan.

Taking the Amazon package, she headed for the tiny basement bathroom, washed up, and changed into the nightgown. It was pure silk and felt like a dream against her bare skin.

The bias cut reminded her of the gowns from the twenties while the apricot color reminded her of the Fortuny dress that Ruby had talked about. Staring at herself in the mirror, she said, “You can do this.”