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There had been nothing aard about the night Memory, of course, could alter and be selective, but he could still see the way she had looked that night, the brilliance in her eyes, the silky shi had melted away, and there had never been such a rush as just feeling her flesh against his He hadn’t wanted to leave after that night, but she had told him, "We’ve been best friends for years--you have always been a part of my life You have a se like distance can’t tear us apart"

Distance hadn’t ripped theinning of another part of his life For her, it had been the end At a time when he should have been able to comfort her the al

And a ain; he wasn’t going to sleep

Jake left his roo to listen at Ashley’s door, but all was silent He flushed, glad that she didn’t suddenly swing the door open and see hi roo out, he saw that the police were still there--at least, the patrol cars

A drone of voices from the study alerted him to the fact that Jackson was still in with Mack Colby, and maybe Cliff He didn’t know

He frowned; the corown louder Curious, he walked out the roadside door and looked down the avenue of oaks

The police were blocking the entrance to the plantation, but he could see that several news creere out on the road Crunching down the drive, he reached the officers Drew Montague was standing in front of his police car, arms crossed over his chest, a look of pure annoyance on his face

Montague saw hiot out so fast They’re like flies on a corpse If you’ll excuse the expression"

"Has anyone spoken to them?"

He shook his head "I told them that it was a crime scene, and that they couldn’t come on the property That’s all Luckily, it is private property, so it makes it easier to keep theue, trying to listen There were three reporters with their camera crews situated so as to pick up the plantation house in the background of their shots He recognized the local network-affiliate anchorwoh school with her--but the other two reporters were men he’d never noticed on the news before

Perhaps they thought this story would be picked up by a national network He was sure that the information that a man had beenin the era of cell phones, texts and instant couests

He could hear Marty clearly

"Donegal Plantation, historically a place of tragedy and loss, and filled with strange and eerie happenings throughout the years Have the ghosts of Donegal arisen? Unconfirmed reports state that the body of a man in a Confederate uniform was found in the family ceal as well So of a house slave after thethe first half of the 1800s The Civil War–era al, a brilliant tactician who ht have served the Confederacy well, died within that ceainst his enemies!"

That was too much

Jake pushed away from the car and approached Marty She saw him; her eyes widened, she suest now," she said into theat her cameraman

Jake felt the camera come his way It didn’t disturb him or stop him

"Jake Mallory, one of our local heroes, seeal Plantation Mr Mallory, can you tell us what has happened here? So people!"

"The police will give theto say, Miss Dean I’d just like to point out that Donegal Plantation is far edy and loss I think it’s rather foolish for anyone to i people A man is dead, and first and foremost, his death is a sad occasion I’m sure that everyone involved with responsible media will see to it that our sorrow over his death is respected and that an historic residence and business which has offered education and entertainned in any way Thank you, Miss Dean--I know that you will report responsibly"

He turned and walked away

"Jake--wait!" Marty called after hinored her The other tsue Montague grinned, liking what he had said As Marty chased Jake, Montague stopped her

"Crime scene, ma’am I’m still not cleared to let you in"

"But you just--"

"Mr Mallory is an invited guest at the plantation,He didn’t turn back

There was just no way out of it