“I’ll get something later. I promise.”

“Something healthy.”

“You got it. Something healthy.”

“So what are your plans today?” she pressed.

I glanced at my watch and saw that it was 10:20.

“I’m going down to the main branch of the library to check their archives. If I’m lucky I’ll be able to pick up a lead on Miranda from some of the genealogy records. I don’t know if it will do any good, even if I find something, but maybe.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be meeting up with Doctor Rieth to have a look at the cemetery?” she asked.

“That isn’t until tomorrow. She’s still in Baton Rouge right now. But, I have a map so I might go out there myself this afternoon.”

I stopped at my rental car then pulled the key out of my pocket and unlocked the door. I opened it but didn’t get in right away. I just stood there watching the traffic out on Airline Highway.

“Please don’t,” Felicity appealed.

“Why?”

“Just… I don’t know. Just don’t go alone. Please wait until tomorrow when Doctor Rieth is with you.”

“Okay,” I answered softly. “I can do that. Don’t worry.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, honey. I promise,” I said, unconsciously nodding as I spoke. “Truth is I should probably go back to the motel and grab some sleep once I’m done at the library.”

“Aye, I think you should.”

Silence fell between us. I turned to slip into the car, and my eyes caught the sight of a maid’s cart outside the door of room 7. Some of the furniture was already resting in a pile near the entrance to the open stairwell on the left.

“I’m loving you right now,” my wife finally said.

“I’m loving you too,” I replied.

“Well…” she began hesitantly. “I suppose I should let you go.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I still need to figure out how to get to the library from here.”

“Call me later? When you wake up from your nap…”