“And still, you stay,” Andre said.
“I was well known for my hospitality and my care of others,particularly my peers and the poor,” she said lightly. “And, as I said, I liketo believe the time will come when I can help. I may have failed thus far, butthese killings will go on. And maybe, just maybe…”
“I am sure you will help,” Cheyenne murmured. “LadyMiller. There was a larger obelisk. I didn’t have time to read it, but I believeit was to…your husband and you, as well as other family members.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “I was born nobility—my fatherwas an earl—and married into it as well…as was fitting in my day. Though,truly, perhaps I have also stayed to see more. Marriage between parties of allcolors, choices…it was quite sad when so many things were not acceptable. Whenlove was not acknowledged unless it was with the right class and the rightcolor and the right sex.”
“We still strive to move forward,” Andre said, smiling. Itwas evident that Lady Miller had done her proper duty in life. But it appearedthat, somewhere during her days on Earth, she might have been in love withsomeone she wasn’t allowed to be with.
“Ah, yes. So, delightfully, here we three are! You’re notscreaming or fainting or weeping to someone around you that you’re about tohave the vapors. It’s…not common. And again, so delightful. Now, mostobviously, you are American.”
“Most obviously, it seems,” Cheyenne agreed with a smile.
“There’s something about you…” Elizabeth murmured, “thatleads me to believe you are here for a purpose. And I heard your guide tellingyou that his cousin, the inspector, arranged for your tour here today.”
“We are law enforcement officers in the States,” Andre said.
“And here to help my cousin,” Cheyenne continued.“I believe she’s in danger. Or that she and her boyfriend are being set up sothey appear to be killers.”
“Ah,” Elizabeth murmured.
“Our guide, Monte. Have you seen him before?” Andre askedsuddenly.
Elizabeth seemed thoughtful and then shrugged with a sweetsmile. Cheyenne believed the woman must have been truly amazing in life—born tonobility, perhaps, but not bred to elitism. She was probably kind to everyonearound her.
“I might have, I’m not sure. Not as a guide, though.Curious. But I’m not always watching or roaming where a guide might be. While Iam most proud of my heritage and my country, I have heard tour guides manytimes. And not to be rude or cruel in any way, but the tours can be…a bitboring after a time.”
“Of course,” Cheyenne murmured. “Elizabeth, none of thebodies have been found here, but the killer has obviously been playing with theconcept of the Highgate Cemetery. Do you believe he comes here, or is he justusing the legend?”
Elizabeth smiled. “In the sixties and seventies—nineteen sixtiesand nineteen seventies, that is—the cemetery fell into serious disrepair. Itwas overgrown and not at all maintained. Today, of course, things are quitedifferent.”
“So, while an individual or a cult might have slipped in andout easily years ago, it’s a bit different now. The killer is playing off alegend,” Andre mused.
“The murders…most horrible!” Elizabeth said. “I’ve oftenwondered if one so cruelly taken from life might stay as I did. But if so, Ihave not seen them. Oh, I don’t mean just here. I move beyond these confinesoccasionally. But while I love this precious chance to speak with the living, Ifollowed you for a reason.”
“Because you know something? You’ve seen something?” Andreasked, his handsome features sharp with hope and intensity.
“Nothing truly helpful, I’m afraid. To my sorrow. But thereis something strange happening that has plagued me since it all started. I’mnot sure what it means.”
“Dear lady, please, what? We are grateful for anyinformation,” Andre said.
Elizabeth hesitated. “I have heard screams. Orcries…desperate sounds. I’m not sure…”
“From where?” Andre asked.
The ghost looked perplexed. “As I said, I’m not sure. It’slike…like a moan from the earth.”
“Here, in the cemetery?” Cheyenne asked.
“No, I don’t believe so. But there’s something like atremor, an echo of sound. I’ve tried to trace the source, and all I’m certainof is that it is coming from the earth. Yet it seems to originate just north.On Swain’s Lane, but…beyond the cemetery.”
They were all silent for a moment.
Then Andre said, “Thank you, Lady Miller. Thank you,sincerely.”
“Indeed, thank you,” Cheyenne said softly.
“I will watch and listen and seek the advice of others whoroam here,” Elizabeth promised them. “I will listen for the moans from the earth.And I will follow them.”
Cheyenne wished she could put her arms around the woman. Sheseemed strong yet one in need of comforting.
“Be careful,” Cheyenne whispered.
Lady Elizabeth smiled. “What have I got to lose, dearfriend? What have I got to lose?”
Chapter 5
With the cemetery closing, Andre and Cheyenne headed backout to Swain’s Lane. Andre glanced at Cheyenne. She seemed so saddened by theirmeeting with Elizabeth Miller. She caught him watching her and smiled.
“Sorry, she was just so lovely…understanding illness,knowing what it’s like to forgive. I’m not sure I could do it. And it’sincredible she remains for her family. I suppose she hopes the time will comewhen she can keep her fate from befalling another.”
“She just might, you know.”
“The earth is crying,” Cheyenne murmured. “She hears screamsor moans. But,” she paused, a frown knitting her brow, “wouldn’t the living hear, as well?”
“Yes, but since the cemetery is known to be haunted, and halfthe world’s population now thinks of themselves as paranormal researchers, youcan find dozens of social media sites with people who claim to have met ghostshere. And those who say they’ve seen the vampire. Trying to determine whatmight be real and what’s not is going to be quite a feat. Now, our good friendInspector-slash-cousin Mikey might be able to find a way for us to search moreof the underground cemetery. But I don’t think his partner, Birmingham, isgoing to allow it. He doesn’t want us here at all.”
“That’s it,” Cheyenne said. “This killer is kidnapping hisvictims and taking them into a vault or somewhere underground. The verygeographical structure here
