Touched by Death by Dale Mayer Read Free Book Online Page A

have the day off and
no one had taken it – they'd all showed for this symbolic beginning.
    Dr. Mike climbed on top of the grave, as high as he
could stand against the hillside and started work on the project with
a prayer. Everyone bowed their heads. Jade found herself repeating his
words quietly in her head. Amen .
    Dane started the loader.
    It took almost an hour for him just to get a few buckets
off the top. Meg wandered over to where Jade stood. "I'm going
to head into town for lunch. How about joining Susan and me for a girls'
afternoon of sightseeing and shopping? There's nothing we can do here.
Not today and most likely not until late tomorrow – if then."
    It was a good idea. A little light relief before the
real work started tomorrow. "Now that sounds great."
    With a wave of her hand to the men, Jade followed
Meg and Susan. She could really use some lightweight work clothes. She'd
forgotten how badly the heat affected her here. T-shirts and shorts
were the uniform of choice; a half dozen of each would be perfect.
    The women headed to the Iron Market and the few shops
open along the way. The elegant mansions and townhomes spoke of days
gone by. Once glorious in their regal bearing and bright colors, these
buildings had taken a major knock from Mother Nature. Still, even with
the damage from the earthquake, Jacmel was a tourist destination like
no other. At least here, there were obvious revitalization attempts
happening to get the city back on its feet.
    The afternoon zipped by at a rapid pace – full
of shopping, laughter and fun as the women ran from shop to shop and
stall to stall buying a few items to make their job a little brighter
and more comfortable. Jade was delighted to find several brightly colored
t-shirts and cotton pants in a beige-khaki color. They would withstand
a lot of wear and tear. At one brightly festooned stall, she found several
hair clips big enough to hold her heavy blond hair off her neck.
    If she'd had a little longer to prepare and pack,
she'd have gotten a haircut. As it was, the clips would do for now.
She could always get it cut here if she couldn't stand the heat. Meg's
short curls looked perfect. And Susan's fine black bob that stopped
at her chin also looked comfortable.
    "Now that has to feel better." Meg patted
Jade's hair clip. "Nice. Now I almost wish I had long hair myself.
Almost." She grinned and picked up several clips. "I bet my
sister would love a couple."
    "Later, when it's time to go home. Too much to
pack this early."
    "You're right." Meg put it back with a sigh.
"Too bad though."
    As they headed back to the SUV Susan stopped at another
brightly colored stall, one festooned with odd-looking handmade dolls.
An old short and squat women – wearing so many necklaces, they
almost obliterated the sight of her red blouse underneath – worked
at the booth. The woman's black gaze latched onto Jade and never let
go.
    Jade moved to the other side of Susan in an effort
to get away from that piercing stare. And came too close to the weird-looking
straw and cloth dolls. She noticed the papier-mâché looking ones
painted in black with weird markings…and many other items she couldn't
begin to recognize. "What are these things?"
    "Vodou paraphernalia."
    Jade shuddered and took several steps back. "Not
for me, thanks."
    Susan shook her head vigorously. "No. You don't
get it. This stuff is for good luck. Used to ward off bad spirits."
    With a second shudder, Jade moved several steps back,
shaking her hands in front of her. "I still don't want one."
    Susan grinned and reached to pluck her choice off
the top of the stall. "Well I do. Just what we need for the grave
work."
    The transaction was done in silence. The old woman
accepting the money never took her eyes off Jade. Unsettled, Jade did
everything to avoid her. She wished Susan would hurry.
    Finally they were done. Jade turned to leave when
the old women moved off her stool so