“You’d better go now,” Jennifer said.
“Can I ask one more thing? You mentioned that Dr. Tyler was loved and that people miss him. I saw white roses on the grave last time. And Suzanne’s note. Do a lot of people leave things there?”
“Yes, many gifts,” she said. She seemed to relax slightly, because the question had nothing to do with Belinda or family connections.
“Like what?”
“Well, roses always. They were his favorite flower. But other things. Mementos, little trinkets. We leave things that mean something to us, that we know would have touched his heart. See, he taught about selfless love. If you loved, truly loved someone, you would give them whatever is most important to you.”
Chills ran down Kate’s spine as Jennifer opened a compartment in her ATV. Kate watched her remove a small pale-cream satin jewelry pouch. She held it out to Kate, and Kate leaned forward to see what was inside.
There were dry rosebuds. There were fragments of blue robins’ eggs. Pieces of sea glass. Moonstones and wishing stones. A pile of cards, stationery, folded yellow legal paper. And many single earrings.
“What are all of those?” Kate asked.
“Treasures. Gifts and notes left on the grave. I usually let them stay there for a week or so, then gather them up to make room for more.”
“What about those earrings?” Kate said. “Mismatched?”
“Not really. People visit and decide to leave an earring.”
“Why would they do that?”
“An offering,” Jennifer said. “A sign of love and respect.”
“Are those real jewels in those earrings? That one looks like it’s set with sapphires and diamonds,” Kate said.
“Probably,” Jennifer said.
“Is that one a real pearl?” Kate asked, pointing at a single-stud earring.
“Looks it,” Jennifer said. “But just because they’re jewels doesn’t make them more precious than the rosebuds. Gifts are all about the intention.”
“Another reason for you to remove them from the grave is that someone might come along and steal them—especially the diamond and pearl ones.”
“No one would do that.” Jennifer laughed. “You really don’t know how much everyone loves him. To you, these are just objects. To the people who leave them, they are signs of love, a way of giving back. Diamond love.”
“What is ‘diamond love’?” Kate asked.
“Look, I have to work now. Sorry about your wedding being canceled,” Jennifer said curtly, as if aware she had said too much.
“How do you know about that?” Kate asked.
Jennifer reddened, as if realizing she’d slipped up.
“Anyway, I’m going back to the maintenance shed. Do you want a ride?” Jennifer asked.
“No, thanks,” Kate said. “I’m meeting someone down at the dock. But first—where is Darla Vandeveer’s office?”
“It’s between the main building and the gazebo,” Jennifer said. “It’s a little white house, and there’s a stone statue in front of it.”
Kate thought it unusual that the business office would be in a house. “Does she actually live there?” she asked.
“Not Darla, it’s not her style. It hasn’t been used as that kind of house in years. It’s just for offices.” Jennifer started the ATV and put it into gear.
Kate stared at her. There was something furtive, almost feral about Jennifer. She was a keeper of secrets. How had she first come to Maynard-King? Was she one of the trafficked girls?
“Jennifer!” Kate called over the sound of the engine. “What’s 1740?”
