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at the battle of Chancellorsville, 1863. Great, great man. I’ve read diary accounts of his funeral and we believe he was buried in an iron coffin. Next to him will be his wife Eleanor. Another accomplished woman. They deserve to be left in peace.”
    Gage rested his hand on his hip. “I never did like the idea of messing with the dead. Leave ’em in peace is what I say.”
    Dr. Heckman arched a brow. “My thoughts exactly. I just wish I could convince Ms. Barrington that what she’s doing is wrong.”
    Gage kept his tone even. “I’d hate to think someone was going to dig me up one day and poke around my remains. I say, just leave me the hell alone.” He reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a pack of gum. He offered one to Dr. Heckman and when he declined, unwrapped a piece as he slid the package back in his pocket.
    Dr. Heckman bristled. “That’s what I’ve been telling her.”
    Gage noted the way the man fiddled with the coin. “So how long have you had an interest in this property?”
    “Since I met Mrs. Thornton, Mrs. Frances Thornton, about ten years ago. I shared her love of this family. She’d be ill if she saw what was happening here today.”
    “Mr. Mazur wants the graves removed.”
    “She didn’t have to sell to him.” There was menace behind the mothballs.
    “You think Ms. Barrington has any idea who is in that grave?”
    “I think her conscience is troubled.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes.”
    “You’ve noticed a lot about Ms. Barrington.” Gage kept his voice even, but he could see that the guy had a thing for Adrianna.
    Dr. Heckman straightened. “She’s a beautiful woman. She’s an easy woman to watch.” He flipped the coin faster in his hand.
    Gage grinned. “Do you stare at her a lot?”
    He nearly nodded and then stopped. “No, not really. No. What are you suggesting?” The coin flipped faster.
    “Who did you say you were with?”
    Dr. Heckman gave him a look that told Gage the professor had pegged him a hayseed. “The Virginia Cemetery Preservation Society.”
    Gage studied the card. “I’m going to need more information. Contact name of your boss.”
    “Why? I’m here as an observer.”
    “Still. I’m gonna need that name. Then I’m gonna need you to leave.”
    “Why?”
    “No one in that cemetery is getting dug up today, Dr. Heckman. Your graves are safe. This is now a crime scene.”
    Dr. Heckman shook his head. “I won’t get in the way. I will stay back and just watch.”
    “Can’t have that, I’m afraid. You’re going to have to leave. We are going to get mighty busy around here. Time for you to go.” He made a note to do some checking on this guy.
    “I will have a word with Mrs. Thornton about staying.” The guy stuck his chest out for extra emphasis. “This is still her land.”
    “Her name is Barrington.” Gage leaned toward him. “And it’s my crime scene. I’m running this show now.”
    “You can’t do that.”
    Gage chewed his gum, his jaw working with each bite. “Leave or I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”
    The professor’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t like you, Detective Hudson.”
    “Can’t help that now, can I?” Gage leaned forward using his size to intimidate. “Now get going.”
    The man’s face paled slightly but he held his ground for a second or two longer before he lost his nerve and scurried toward a beat-up old Ford. Gage watched as he drove off.
    “Creepy bastard,” Vega said.
    “Yeah.” He glanced toward the body. “But the one that really bothers me is Mazur.”
    Vega raised a brow. “Looked like he was getting into it with Adrianna.”
    Gage curled his fingers on his right hand into a fist. “Yeah.”
    Tess had extended the yellow crime scene tape around a more generous area. She’d started to sketch the scene. “This is going to take a while.”
    “Looks like it.”
    “Do me a favor and talk to the men on the construction crew. And make sure Dr. Heckman really leaves. I’m headed up to the