The Adventures of Gravedigger by Barry Reese Read Free Book Online

and
anthropology. Standing nearly six feet tall and possessed of flowing red hair, she
looked like a modern Amazon, with enough curves to unsettle even the most
ardent of playboys. Her glittering green eyes and full lips had made her one of
Sovereign City’s most sought-after figures.
    To the amusement of gossip columnists everywhere,
however, Emerson’s heart belonged to local hero Lazarus Gray. Their love affair
had titillated the city before Gray’s career had torn them apart. Rumor had it
that neither had ever truly moved on.
    “Arthur Meeks,” Kelly said before he could
respond. “I know you. You were here for the unveiling of the Scarab collection
last month.” She strode towards him, her heels clicking on the floor. “Start
talking before I call the police!”
    “Dinkins let me in….”
    “And he’s going to get fired,” Emerson replied.
“Make it quick.”
    Meeks seethed internally. He’d planned to get away
with only killing one unimportant security guard. Emerson, on the other hand,
was a prominent figure in the city. Her father would rest at nothing until her
murder was solved and the killer behind bars. Beyond that, Emerson’s death
would bring Lazarus Gray and his Assistance Unlimited team onto the case.
    “I can explain,” he said, realizing that he had no
choice. Within his mind, a wall was sliding into place, signaling a shift from
the man he had been born to be – Arthur Meeks – and the man that he now
believed himself to be – Thanatos. “I’m fascinated by Roman pottery and I
wanted to get a better look at this urn. I was only planning to handle it for a
few moments and then put it back.”
    “You’re lying,” she replied. “You could have made
a sizeable donation to the Museum and my father would have let you look at it.
You know that. You were here to steal it, weren’t you?”
    Thanatos sneered in response and lunged for her,
his hands wrapping around Kelly’s throat. She staggered under the unexpected
assault, her back slamming against the wall. As she fought for breath, the
madness in her enemy’s eyes struck home.
    Thankfully for her, Lazarus Gray had insisted that
she learn the art of self-defense. Refusing to give in to the terror that was
beginning to mount, she struck back, boxing Thanatos’ ears. He cried out but
refused to loosen his grip, forcing her to take more drastic measures – she
drove her leg up into his crotch, causing his eyes to bulge.
    Blessed oxygen flooded her lungs as he backed
away, hands over his privates. Knowing that her life was on the line, she took
off for the exit, hoping to make it back to her office, where she could call
for help.
    Thanatos saw her flight and knew that his plan was
now at risk. He quickly grabbed a small goblet that was resting next to the urn
and threw it. The metal object bounced off Kelly’s skull and she slumped to the
ground with a pained sigh.
    Grabbing the urn, Thanatos was now torn. Should he
flee with the object – or kill both her and Dinkins?
    His decision was made easier by the lights that
suddenly began to come on throughout the museum. Thanatos heard Dinkins’ voice,
high-pitched and nervous. “I haven’t seen her, Mr. Emerson… Are you sure she’s
still in her office? I thought everyone had gone home.”
    The curator’s response echoed to Meeks’ ears.
“Yes, I’m sure she’s here. There’s no need for you to turn on every light in
the place! I know this building like the back of my hand!”
    Recognizing that Dinkins was trying to alert him
to the curator’s presence, Thanatos ran from the room, following one of the
public halls until he came to an emergency exit. He shoved the door open and
hurried to his car. Tossing the urn into the backseat, he started the engine
and took off, knowing that his plans were now potentially in ruins.
    “I only have one chance,” he said to himself. “I
have to go into hiding! And Mr. Black’s going to have to speed up the
timetable!”

Chapter VI: On