Raising the Dead by Mara Purnhagen Page A

this.” She showed us a small leather book. The brittle pages were yellowed with age and filled with tiny, neat handwriting. “It’s the journal of Jeremiah Pickett. We think everything we found in the coffins belonged tohim, that he was hiding weapons and information from Confederate troops. This journal will probably help explain everything.”
    “And maybe it will help him.” I motioned toward Jeremiah. Now that he was safely subdued, I was feeling calmer. But I was angry, too. It didn’t matter that the gun was a fake. He had threatened us, made us feel fear. “He said he had to restore his ancestor’s memory,” I said. “The book might help do that.”
    “I hope so.” Mom sighed. “I’m going to talk to William. Shane’s staying here tonight. We should be able to go home in a few minutes.”
    “I’m going to say goodbye to Jared,” Avery said. As soon as she left my side, Noah came over.
    “I’m wondering if I should thank you,” he said.
    “Thank me for what?” He was the one who had helped restrain Jeremiah. I should have been thanking him.
    He grinned. “For throwing the craziest Halloween party I’ve ever been to.”
    “I do my best.” I yawned. “I’m so ready for bed.”
    “Me too.” He paused. “You saw the mist thing, right?”
    “Yes. So did Avery.”
    Noah shook his head. “My life has been a lot more interesting since I met you, Charlotte.”
    “Is that a compliment?” I hoped it was.
    “It’s the truth.” He smiled. “And a compliment.”
    As soon as the police had finished with us, we left. I fell asleep in the car, happy that Halloween was over. Everything could return to normal now, I thought. We had uncovered the secrets of the dead. Now they could rest.

Chapter Thirteen
    “Have you considered a career in party planning?” I asked Avery. “Because you’re really good at this.”
    “This isn’t a party,” she reminded me. She pulled back the foil covering a casserole dish and set the dish on William’s kitchen table amongst the other dishes and trays full of food. A single lily stood in a vase at the center of the table. Avery surveyed her work. “I think we’re all set.”
    “The band’s here,” Jared announced. He stopped at the table to swipe a canapé, and Avery swatted at his hand with a smile.
    Noah came into the kitchen carrying a plate of vegetables. “A news van just pulled up out front,” he said. “Should I let them in?”
    “No.” I knew William was still getting ready for the ceremony. “Could you have the reporters follow you up the hill? I don’t want them inside.”
    “Sure.” Noah looked at the table full of food. “Are those cheese puffs?”
    “Don’t even think about it,” Avery said. “You can have one later.”
    Jared laughed. “I’ve already been scolded. Come on, I’ll help you outside.”
    The guys left. “I’m looking forward to this,” I said as I rearranged the vegetables, “but I don’t know what to expect, really.”
    “I know.” Avery fussed with the flowers. “But we’re not a part of the ceremony. Our work is done.”
    “I guess.”
    Our work today meant preparing the post-ceremony luncheon. Avery had taken care of nearly all of the details. I felt a little useless. But maybe the real work had already been done. Preserving old graves and returning remains to their rightful resting place was important, too, and I knew I had helped in some small way.
    The front door opened. I was thrilled to see Annalise, who was holding hands with Mills. She let go long enough to give me a hug. “I’m so happy to see you!”
    Mills gave me a stiff hug. “I’m looking forward to this,” he said. I knew he would be. Genealogy was a passion of his. I directed him to the cemetery so I could speak with Annalise in the living room.
    “So?” she asked as we sat down. “How are things?”
    “I’m drowning in homework. The teachers don’t care that it wasn’t our fault school was cancelled for a week. They’re