Blue Moon
Page 31
";We'll see." Mary's tone was non-committal. "I have a lot of thinking to do. I'll give you a call when I'm back in town." She rang off before Elizavon could say anything else.
Jack's line was busy, so she took a shower, then tried again. When he answered, she struggled to find the right words.
"Jack, I've found Magdalene and Jean-Pierre!"
"You're kidding! Where?"
"In an old runaway slave tunnel, hidden underneath the kitchen."
"What happened to them?"
"Oh, Jack. It was awful. Jean-Pierre shot Magdalene, then himself, because they were trapped in the tunnel and the water was rising! Magdalene begged him to put an end to her life before she drowned."
He sighed. "I'm glad you found them. Maybe now your nightmares will stop. What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to bury them together," she replied. "I think that's what Magdalene wanted all along. She wanted me to find them and give them a proper burial."
"Do you want me to come down and help?" he asked, after a few moments. "Audrey was buried yesterday. If...if you need me, I can come down."
Her heart grieved at the pain in his voice. "Thanks, Jack, but it's okay. I've already spoken to the sheriff, and he told me he'd release the skeletons for burial, as long as they're buried nearby. I'm going to call and make arrangements tomorrow."
There was a long pause. "Mary, I wanted to call and tell you that I understand why you wouldn't come to New York. You were right. Can you ever forgive me for being such a jerk?"
She smiled. "Of course, I'll forgive you, Jack. I'm glad you realize you need time to grieve for Audrey. You loved her, and now she's gone. It's going to take a while for you to come to terms with that."
"I love you, Mary. I just need some time."
Her smile grew. "I know, Jack. I feel the same way. Believe it or not, I loved Audrey, too. That's why I don't mind waiting until you've worked through your grief. It's okay. Whenever you're ready, I'll be waiting for you in Boston."
"Thanks."
She smiled. "Take all the time you need, Jack. We have the rest of our lives to be together. When you're ready, I'll be in Boston. Just remember that I love you. Always have, always will."
As she hung up the phone, an image of Magdalene came to mind--a smiling, happy Magdalene, standing next to the man she loved. A slow smile spread across Mary's lips as the vision of the two lovers faded from view. "You're welcome, Magdalene," she whispered. "I'm glad you and Jean-Pierre have been reunited. Old souls belong together."