In the Arms of Stone Angels Read Online Free PDF Page A

timid and frail than I remembered her—and dressed in the clothes she had been buried in. Her mother’s choice. Heather wouldn’t have been caught dead in that dress. So I knew her coming had to be important. In life Heather had never smiled at me, but tonight she did for the first time. And it made her look sad.
    The dead never speak. I don’t know why. So I didn’t expect that to change with Heather. For whatever reason the drop-dead gorgeous brunette with fierce green eyes had come, she’d let me know in her own sweet time. Without a word, I waved a hand to say “Hi” and stretched out on the grass over her grave.
    I knew I wouldn’t sleep, but I hoped that Heather would rest easier knowing she wasn’t alone…even if she only had me.
    Pioneer Cemetery
    Heather wasn’t alone. And neither was I anymore.
    While I was lying on her grave, I heard the crunch of grass behind me. Someone was coming and they were searching for something…or someone. What the hell? No matter how I figured it, this wasn’t good news for me. A beam from a flashlight swept over my head onto the branches of the pine trees. And when the light hit the chipped face of the stone angel, I looked for Heather, but she was gone.
    The dead always knew when to leave. And I suddenly wished I had her exit strategy.
    I stayed low and rolled onto my belly, looking back over my shoulder. The dark shadow of a man moved between thetrees and through the old headstones. I held my breath and watched the beam move. It helped me track him.
    I had to keep my cool. I couldn’t get caught on my first night back. Damn it!
    When the light moved away from where I was hiding, I crawled toward the trees. And when it felt safe, I got to my feet and ran the other way. All I needed was a head start. If I could make it to the rock wall, I could use it for cover, but I ran from hiding too soon.
    â€œStop!” A man yelled. “Stop right there.”
    The flashlight pointed at me and nailed my back in its light, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.
    â€œShit!” I cursed under my breath.
    Now the man was running after me, yelling something I couldn’t hear. As he closed in, I felt my heart pounding and my lungs were on fire. If only I could make the stone wall, I’d know where to hide, but the man’s footsteps grew louder.
    And I knew I’d never make it.

chapter two
    My chances of getting away were blown apart by the man chasing me. He was too fast. When I knew I wouldn’t make the stone wall of the cemetery, images flashed through my head. I pictured getting raped or killed, but I wasn’t going down like some crying, scared little girl. I stopped and turned, clutching the flashlight in my hands and bracing my body for a fight. And when I flicked on the light, I pointed it at him and clenched my right fist, ready to punch him.
    Putting on a show—of courage I didn’t have—was my only defense.
    â€œStop. Don’t come any closer,” I demanded. I sounded angry, but I was mostly scared. “Why are you chasing me?” My voice cracked.
    The light blinded him. He stopped dead in his tracks and raised a hand to block the glare. I kept the light steady on his face, but I saw how much bigger he was than me. And I saw one other thing.
    The guy wore a uniform and he carried a gun. I’d been running from a cop. Great, just great!
    â€œI didn’t know you were…” I choked. And I was seriously out of breath. “You…scared me.”
    â€œI identified myself back there, but you kept running.” With all the yelling he’d done, the stuff I never heard, the cop probably did try to identify himself. Now he was winded from chasing me and he took charge. “I need to see ID.”
    â€œYou first. Show me your badge.” I had my rights. And even though I wasn’t sure if I’d broken any laws being in a graveyard after hours, I figured