1740
With love
Always
She felt a chill run through her whole body. It was one of her wedding place cards. The words were calligraphed, the ink was that signature glossy blue black she had ordered from London, and the style of penmanship was precisely what she had seen on the discarded cards in Belinda’s room at the Ocean House.
Sam reached down, took the card from Kate’s hand, and read it.
“1740,” Sam said, looking at Kate.
Maeve stared at the card but didn’t say anything.
Kate nodded, examining the handwriting. Her scratched finger had left a bright-red print on the side. “I think Suzanne wrote this,” she said.
“She did,” Maeve said, sounding bitter. “Definitely. That’s her writing.”
“Why would she leave a note like this on Belinda’s husband’s grave?”
Kate held the card, her thoughts racing, an answer coming into focus.
“Belinda and Jonathan’s wedding announcement said the flower girl was Belinda’s daughter, obviously from a previous relationship,” Sam said.
“Suzanne,” Kate said.
“Maybe,” Sam said, her eyes meeting Kate’s.
“And the ‘previous relationship’?” Maeve asked.
No one answered, and Kate was glad. She didn’t want to hear anyone say “Conor.”
They heard the squawk of Jennifer’s radio, and all three turned in unison to look at her. Without them noticing, she had climbed off her ATV and had moved closer to them. Kate wondered if she had heard what they’d been saying.
She caught sight of Jennifer texting, but Jennifer saw her watching and quickly put her iPhone in her pocket.
“Are you finished here?” Jennifer asked.
“Yes, we are,” Sam said.
“Okay, I’ll lead you back to the gate,” Jennifer said.
“I have a question,” Kate said, gesturing at the grave. “Do you know who left these white roses?”
Jennifer shrugged. “No idea. People bring flowers all the time.”
“Specifically for this grave?”
“Dr. Tyler was very important here,” Jennifer said. “He was beloved. Patients and staff pay their respects to him often.”
Kate noticed Jennifer gazing at her, Sam, and Maeve, the gaze lingering on the two younger women.
“I guess he meant a lot to you too?” Jennifer asked. The question was open ended, as if she was hoping for an answer or explanation.
“Very much so,” Sam said. Kate caught the lie—but it wasn’t really. He meant a lot to them in terms of solving Belinda’s murder and the mystery of Suzanne.
“You’re one of us?” Jennifer asked.
“‘Us’?” Sam asked.
