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

in the church’s community hall. Guests stopped and signed the guest registry book that held a pen de flume and small bottles of bubbles to blow at the bride and groom.

As guests entered the hall, the aromas of the lavish Cajun-style buffet filled their nostrils. Eloquently set, the buffet table was overflowing with platters of crawfish, boudin balls, crab, shrimp, brisket, chicken salad sandwiches, and a watermelon basket filled with cut-up fruits.

A bar along the south wall was serving beer and a variety of sodas for the younger guests.

After the meal and the heartfelt toasts from the maid of honor and best man, Terrance stood taking Kamira’s hand. It was time to start the wedding march.

The sounds of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” filled the air as the newlywed couple strolled around the room, with their guests joining in the march. A traditional Cajun wedding custom.

Willie Mae, Hannah and Hattie Bellow, and Suzie Beachum sat back at their table after the wedding march, joining Vittoria and the others from the DeLuca crime family. They watched as Kamira and Terrance moved to the dance floor center to begin their first dance as husband and wife.

Hattie looked around at the eight-foot-long table, saying, “Isn’t it wonderful how Willie Mae was able to organize the change in the wedding venue so quickly. The electrician said we should have the electricity back on within a few days. I sure will be happy when we have lights again.”

Willie Mae responded, a sense of anger filling her chest. “I would like to know exactly how that Gazebo burned to the ground, knocking out the electricity.”

Looking at the table across the room, Willie Mae waved at Jack Thomas and Todd Carter, showing her intention to have the two men join them.

Jack, seeing Willie Mae waving, turned to Todd and said, “We are being summoned. This evening could get even more interesting. Considering the DeLuca family is at their table.”

Todd’s jaw dropped in surprise. “The New York DeLuca family? Here? What the hell, Jack? There’s a dead body at the wedding between two former FBI agents, and they have a New York crime family as guests? We need to talk at some point, Jack.”

Jack roared in laughter. “Come on, Todd, it’s only about to get interesting.”

The two men picked up their beers and walked to the table where Willie Mae was sitting. Jack held out his hand to shake Frank Gallucci’s.

“Glad you could make it, Frank. I believe this stunning redhead is your wife?”

Frank smiled and replied, “Yes, Maeve, this is Jack Thomas, Shadowbank’s Police Chief. Jack, meet my wife, Maeve.” Noticing how uncomfortable the gentleman with Jack was, he winked as he continued, “Who is your friend?”

Jack looked at Frank and grinned widely. “Everyone, this is Todd Carter, Lead Investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, here in Mississippi.”

Maeve stood. Walking up to Todd, she took his hand and said in a strong Irish lilt, “Do not worry, Mr. Carter, your secrets are safe with us. Any friend of Jack’s and Willie Mae’s is a friend of ours. Now please sit next to me and tell me about yourself. Do you like to fish, Mr. Carter?”

As Todd reluctantly took a seat next to Maeve, Willie Mae made room for Jack.

As soon as Jack took his seat, Willie Mae stared at him, saying, “What happened last night, Jack? Who burned the Gazebo down?”

“Now, Willie Mae, this is not the place or time to discuss this. What do you say I come by in the morning for some of your beignets, and we discuss it then?”

Maeve, listening, said, “Beignets? Oh, Willie Mae, you must give me your recipe for those. We had them this morning for breakfast, and they melted in my mouth.”

Before Willie Mae could respond, Hattie Bellow sat up straight in her chair, glaring at Jack.

“As the owner of the Bellow estate and the woman who files the insurance claim, which, mind you, I will do Monday morning. I assure you I have every right to know what caused the gazebo to burst into flames. Spill the beans, Jack.”

Jack’s shoulders tensed. “Now, Hattie, Ms. Bellow, all we know at this point is it may have been a small pipe bomb. We’re still looking at the evidence. When we know more, we will let you know.”

“I could help you with that. I have a bit of experience with pipe bombs, Jack. Tell me about your evidence.” Maeve said while smiling shyly.

Todd Carter, who was already wondering what he got himself into, looked at Maeve aghast.

Jack, frowning, replied, “We found bits of a steel water pipe, and there was chemical residue on the pieces. We’re lucky it wasn’t more of an intensive explosion.”

Maeve nodded her head. “Someone didn’t know what they were doing. Metals typically have a much higher bursting strength, which ends with a high concussive force. For example, Todd, a 25-millimeter steel pipe, has a typical working pressure of 1,010 psi and bursting pressure of 8,090 psi. So, my conclusion is someone didn’t seal the pipes correctly, and the pressure of the gas leaked, my guess through the detonator ignition hole. Therefore, only causing enough force to start the gazebo on fire. You got lucky. They were amateurs. Did you find the timer device?”

Todd, his brow furrowed, asked Maeve," How exactly do you know so much about pipe bombs?"

Maeve smiled brightly, “I used to be a part of the Irish Republican Army, Todd.”

As Todd struggled with a response, Kamira, watching the table, and frowned from across the room.

Looking at Terrance, Kamira, feeling her throat constrict, said, “I think we need to walk over to Willie Mae’s table. Todd looks a bit shaken.”

Terrance smiled, “He’s talking to Maeve Donnelly Gallucci. He should be nervous.”

“Why’s that, Love?”

“Maeve Donnelly Gallucci was an active member of the Irish Republican Army in the ‘70s.”

“Oh, good god!” Kamira immediately turned and strode up to the table, noticing the worried look on her auntie’s face.

Bending over to kiss her auntie on the cheek, Kamira whispered,