“He tried to talk Alex into moving to Florida on more than one occasion.”

“Thatʼs...interesting. Thank you, my dear. You have been most helpful.”

“I hope you find him,” I lied.

“Donʼt worry. I know we will.”

Before he made it to the line of dark cars parked in the drive he whipped out a cell phone, talking rapidly in another language. I couldnʼt tear my eyes away from him. It wasnʼt until he got into his car and drove away that the tension began to seep out of me.

“That guy was in serious need of a mustache to twirl,” I said, turning slowly back to Talley.

Moving took a great deal of personal effort. The stress of the day, coupled with the handful of pills Mom made me swallow before the service, was starting to have an affect on me. I was tired, sore, and groggy.

“Huh?” Talleyʼs head whipped around. She moved to block my field of vision, but was too slow. I saw him, standing on the edge of the wooded area that surrounded the cemetery. My heart stalled as the wolfʼs grey eyes met mine for the briefest of moments before he ran into the forest.

THE END