Love Never Dies Read Online Free PDF

rumor claimed that Sofia was involved with a white boy. They had a fight, he joined the Army, deserted even before he went to war and Sofia never heard from him again." Areila took a breath, brought her tone down from that excited pitch, spoke to me warmly, sympathetically. "I think from what you told me —that's you. I think you died here trying to get back to her. I'm pretty sure I am your descendent."
    She waited as if she expected me to answer her. And I wanted to. I wanted to so badly. I wanted to weep at the news that I'd left Sofia alone to bear our son. I wanted to turn back time, go to the beach in Virtue Falls and save that woman's life and my own, and return to Sofia.
    Instead, I was mute, held by invisible bonds and all too aware of the menace growing behind Areila.
    "Sofia and Facundo had two more kids. He died four years later. Sofia inherited the orchards and she tended them while she raised all the kids, his and hers, and got them into college and through college. She never remarried. I knew my great-grandmother. She was an amazing woman. She taught me so much about being independent and proud of my intelligence, and she said that I should follow my dream, whatever it was." Areila's voice caught. "She lived a long life — she outlived Grandpa Frank — and she died only two years ago."
    So my darling Sofia was gone. She had moved on. I had given her passion and heartache and a child, and now she was gone from me forever. I had always known that was what had to be. But to face that truth, to know there was no other ending — I gave a wail of pure grief.
    Areila looked around, up at the trees, down at the ground. As if she recognized the sound of my sorrow, she spoke in a softer voice. "Before I came here, I went to my great-grandmother's grave. I spoke to Grandma Sofia, told her what I had found, told her where you are and that if my suspicions were right — and we can find out with a simple DNA test — I would bring your remains to her."
    I snapped to attention. The killer was close. Pay attention, Areila. Great-Granddaughter, listen for footsteps behind you. Don't be caught unaware!
    Blithely she continued her story. "I came back to Virtue Falls and spoke to Sheriff Garik and the librarian, Kateri. I told them what I'd found and that I was sure you were buried back here where it's stuffy and dark." As if she sensed the cold hand of death on her neck, she shrugged restively. "The sheriff was maybe a little skeptical — he said even if we were related it was a far stretch to think I could divine your gravesite. But Kateri stuck up for me, convinced him that it wouldn't hurt to excavate the site, so here we are. I came early because I wanted to talk to you, explain everything. The sheriff is bringing Kateri. Walt, the park grounds keeper, has volunteered to help exhume your body."
    No! The killer is here!
    Areila glanced at her watch. "They should be along at any minute."
    The sun was setting. One beam broke through the clouds, penetrated the branches and I saw it — the glittering sharpened point of the pickax raised high above her.
    The killer brought it down with all his might.
    I leaped.
    My palm smacked the wooden handle.
    The thump resonated through the grove.
    Areila turned. Even as my grip dissolved, even as the handle slipped through it, she saw the threat. Without hesitation, she lifted the shovel and smacked Walt on the side of the head.
    The gray metal clanged against his skull. He stumbled sideways. But nothing could dim the light of murder and madness that twisted his face. He lunged again.
    She gripped the shovel with both hands and drove the edge toward his face. It broke his nose, slid off his cheek, opened a bloody gash that exposed the bone.
    He gave a shriek of pain and surprise.
    God, that noise did my long-silent heart good.
    He swung the pickax sideways.
    But the shovel's handle was longer and Areila didn't give up her advantage. She hit him again with the sharp, shiny edge, right on