“Hello there,” he said.

It was Gordon Richards, my blind date from earlier that evening, although I’d already recognized his voice. And his cologne. Whiny and nasal, it gave the impression of belonging to a very needy person. The voice, not the cologne, that is. The longer the date had gone on, the more I’d realized that the voice didn’t lie.

“Hi?” I started to squirm around. “Get me out of here, you lunatic, before I call the cops.”

He frowned. “But the dirt is an important part of the healing process.”

“Healing process? I’ll give you a healing process as soon as I get out of here.”

“Sorry.” Gordon began to push the dirt off me, and I struggled to pull myself free of the loose earth. He offered his hand to help me stand, but I ignored it and managed to get to my feet all by myself. I attempted to brush the dirt off my new, not to mention very expensive, silk dress and tried not to panic. My three-quarter-length burgundy leather coat could be easily wiped off, but I knew immediately that the dress was ruined. Although, I think it was safe to say that was the least of my problems at the moment.This guy was obviously psychotic. I took a good look around. Just as I’d suspected, thanks to the big clue of the gravestone, we were standing in the middle of a cemetery. My blind date had just attempted to bury me in a cemetery. Filled with dead people. And bugs. I shuddered, then I looked at him standing patiently nearby.

“Well, thanks so much for the date.” I tried to make my voice as relaxed as possible.

Calm, cool, and not ready to freak out. Yet. “I guess I’d better be heading home now.”

“What exactly do you remember?”

I forced a reluctant smile. “That I had a lovely time. And that I’ll have to thank Amy for setting this up. Yes, she won’t be hearing the end of this anytime soon. I can promise you that. Anyhow, super meeting you.” I made a move to leave, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back to face him.