Page 23 (2/2)

But she felt that people hat they were--creatures of social habit She greeted Father Torandfather had been a beautifully spiritual reeht have been

She tried to ave all the proper responses Father Torandfather had always respected and cared about him and that her parents had enjoyed him as well It onderful that he was here

She refrained frorandfather die with that horrible terror in his eyes? Tell me, tell me, please, that he was never into devil worship, that he never delved into the black arts, that…

"…and so wonderfully intelligent, Kelsey He was a brilliant man He knew the world, and as so wonderful was that he understood all God’s creatures--and humanity with its different cultures and beliefs Well, you knew him Rest assured, he is in God’s hands now," Father Tom said

She thanked him He told her to let him know anytime she wanted hi

By then, the next visitor had arrived

Cutter Merlin’s attorney, Joe Richter, had arrived He aardly told her how sorry he was and patted her hands over and over again Once more, she wanted to scream They had been fine in Richter’s office, but now he didn’t knohat to say and she didn’t, either

"Ah, well, at least he left you in a very nice position That can’t be said in many such a situation," Richter told her

"Mr Richter, et an education, and I have my oork and my own income," she reminded him

He blushed to the roots of his white hair "I didn’t ivein your hands He left you instructions, but he also left a sizable fortune and incredible riches, you know"

"I haven’t begun to go through his collections yet, Mr Richter And I plan to honor all of randfather’s wishes"

Maybe she looked unco with the priest and the funeral director, but Jonas had arrived and ca hi, steering her away fro her eyes "You seem a bit shell-shocked"

She shook her head "I’ in aready for work--it’s Sunday night, and she and Katie are both on the schedule, but they’re co by"

Just then, Katie, David, Sean, Vanessa and Clarinda cas She assured thean to arrive Then there were those she did recognize Several of her old teachers were there, and others froenerations If she’d been afraid that it would be a lonely viewing, that fear was quickly set to rest The rooy and prayer The priest was already speaking when Jaden and Ted slipped in, nodding to her across the roo her the kind of "we’re here for you" save at such a tiood Cutter would have been happy He would have wanted all the one into flowers used in a more productive way, but other than that, he would have been proud Old cronies spoke of better, brighter tiued over beers, dressed up for Heway Days just to outdo one another, and various other events One of her old teachers spoke about hoonderful Cutter had been about co in to talk to different classes about different cultures or one of his many escapades

It was eleven by the time everyone trailed out Kelsey felt drained

Clarinda, Jonas, Katie and David had slipped out early, heading off to a Sunday night’s work But Jaden and Ted lingered

Kelsey yawned broadly, certain Lia on the reliquary?" Liaht have it pinned down to the tis on the botto directions, but I think it’s French," she said excitedly "And, if I’asped

"Don’t go getting excited There are a fewto need at least one other expert But it’s fascinating," Jaden said

"We know people who are experts, of course," Ted said "But youin an independent, as well Someone fro in Roman Catholic history, relics and symbolism"

"Joan of Arc was burned at the stake To ash," Lia a reliquary that arded saint?" Kelsey asked

"Thought by many to be exceptionally holy, to place the possessor in a position to coone beyond that kind of thought process," Kelsey said, puzzled "I ht be honored, as we honor our dead…or bow to a cross, but to actually believe that a reliquary could ward off evil? I don’t know about that"

"I didn’t say that the Catholic Church had such a belief or doctrine," Jaden said "I believe that there are people out there whois in belief, isn’t it?" Ted asked, and shrugged

"If it is what I think it is, it’s worth a small fortune," Jaden said

"If it is what you think it is, I’ll find a way to give it to the Catholic Church," Kelsey said

Jaden laughed "I honestly don’t believe that God will s it"

Kelsey shook her head "You don’t understand I don’t need theI will have a nest egg to fall back on, certainly, even if I send everything that Cutter wanted in specific places exactly where he wanted it all to go He didn’t collect for the wealth of it--he collected because he loved history and the objects that taught history He was like one of the last great adventurers"