The Gravedigger by Kacie Clement (short books for teens .TXT) 📕

Vittoria DeLuca called her pilot to have the plane ready. Next, she called Frank, giving him instructions, and walked back to her bedroom to pack a few things for her upcoming stay in Shadowbank.

Shaking her husband, Howard Graystone, awake, Vittoria said, “Willie Mae is in trouble. It would be best if you drove me to the airfield, Howard. I am going to Shadowbank, and Frank and his team are coming with me.”

Kamira, Terrance, and Jack arrived at the hospital to find Willie Mae waiting for them inside the door.

Kamira raced to her auntie, taking her in her arms. “Are you okay, Auntie?”

Willie Mae stepped back and sadly looked at Kamira.

“This is all my fault. I went to the prison and talked with George Buchanan, Kamira. I told him to leave our family alone, or I would destroy the State Line Mob.”

Jack, shocked, said, “You said what?”

Kamira glared at him. “It’s okay, Auntie. Now tell me about Billie and Keisha.”

Willie Mae wiped her eyes. “Keisha is resting, and they are working on Billie’s burns. But follow me, I have something to show you.”

Willie Mae turned, hurrying to the elevators. The trio followed her. Arriving on the 10th floor, Willie Mae led the group to the nursery window. She pointed to a crib that held a beautiful baby boy.

“I would like you all to meet Clifton William Buchanan. My grandson.”

Kamira drew a deep breath, looking at the baby, trying to put his whole tiny fist in his mouth.

“Keisha had the baby? Oh my god, he is precious. I am an auntie!”

Willie Mae took Kamira’s hands into hers, saying, “This is our miracle, Kamira. Everything comes in time. George’s time will come, I promise you that. Now I want you to see Billie, and then I want you to go home. I am going to stay another few hours, and then I will go home. Henry is going to pick me up.”

Kamira went to check on Keisha and saw she was still sleeping. Going to the burn unit, she found Billie.

“Your son is beautiful, Billie. How are your hands and arms?”

Billie weakly smiled, saying, “I only saw Clifton for a minute, and thank the lord, Keisha didn’t suffer any burns. She had a bit of smoke inhalation, and the stress set her into labor. I thank god she was only a week early.”

Holding his hands up, he said, “It’s painful, but the doctor said I should be good as new in a few months. I will not be playing guitar for a while. He said I would be sensitive to cold and heat, but I should regain full use of my fingers. But I will hold that new baby son of mine, and that is all that matters.”

Kamira turned when she heard the nurse say, “Mr. Gordon, we got you a room here in the burn unit. We are going to move you there now.”

Billie, looking around, said, “Where’s Mama?”

Kamira kissed Billie on the cheek.

“She is fussing over that new son of yours. She told me she was staying another couple of hours, and Henry would pick her up. Don‘t you worry, she is okay. She will be up here soon. I will come back later this evening to check on you.”

Kamira gave Billie one last kiss and went to find Terrance and Jack. She needed to sleep for a few hours.

As Kamira slept soundly in her bed, Vittoria DeLuca arrived at the hospital, finding Willie Mae waiting for her in the lobby.

“Let’s get you home, Willie Mae.”

Looking at Frank, Vittoria said, “I want you on Kamira. Nicko, I want you here at the hospital to take care of the Gordon family and Giovanni. You will come with Willie Mae and me.”

Turning, Vittoria DeLuca swept Willie Mae out to the waiting limo.

Kamira woke at one that afternoon. She grabbed her phone and read the text from Willie Mae, saying she was home and going to get some rest. She would call her later.

Kamira looked at her watch and dressed. She had to meet with Father Chestfield at three, and she wanted to go by the office first.

After finding Terrance at the office, ready to go, they moved outside on the sidewalk in front of the department, where they found Jack.

“You two going to do the priest interview now?”

Kamira nodded, “Thought we would do the interview, get some dinner and go back and check on Billie, Keisha, and that new baby. I am guessing they will go out to the Bellow sisters to stay.”

Jack opened the passenger door of the car for Kamira and said, “That probably would be best for right now. I will put an extra patrol car out there.”

“Thanks, Jack. Meet us for dinner?”

Jack saluted and watched as Terrance pulled the car out on the road and slowly drove away.

Turning to go back inside the station, Jack caught sight of a black sedan pulling out and following Terrance and Kamira. As it passed him, his jaw dropped.

“Is that Frank Gallucci?”

Jack pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed Frank’s private number.

“Frank? Turn that damn car around and get in my office.”

“Hey Jack, how’s the fishing these days?”

“Frank, you have two minutes, or I will find you and arrest you, I promise.”

“On my way.”

Jack watched as Frank pulled up in front of the station and got out of the car.

Jack stood tall on the sidewalk while saying, “I assume Willie Mae called Vittoria?”

Frank grinned. “You assumed right. What do you say we get a beer?”

As Jack and Frank walked down the street to the Oyster Bar and Grill, Jack asked, “Who all is here?”

Frank replied, “Vittoria and Giovanni are on Willie Mae, Nicko is protecting Billie and his family, and I am in charge of Kamira.”

Jack looked at Frank and winked, holding the door to the restaurant open, said, “You know she is going to be pissed when she finds you following her, right?”

Frank smiled and replied, “Maybe we need a few shots with those beers.”

Taking a seat in Father Chestfield’s office, Kamira and Terrance heard the priest ask, “Kamira, Terrance, I assume you have identified the body in the wall?”

Terrance nodded. “His name is Daniel Billings, known as Danny the Gravedigger.”

Father Chestfield’s jaw dropped. “It was Danny? Who would have killed that young man and placed him in