Acceptable Risk

“That’s why we had to stop,” George said.

“What is it?” Kim asked.

“I’m afraid it’s a coffin,” George said.

“Good grief,” Kim said.

“We found a headstone as well,” George said. “It’s an oldie.” He motioned for Kim to come around the end of the trench. On the opposite side of the mound of excavated earth was a dirty white marble slab lying flat in the grass.

“It hadn’t been set upright,” George said. “It had been laid flat and eventually covered with earth.” George bent down and wiped away the dried dirt on its face.

Kim took an involuntary gasp of air. “My God, it’s Elizabeth!” she managed. She shook her head. There were too many coincidences.

“She a relative?” George asked.

“She is,” Kim said. She examined the headstone. It was similar in design to Ronald’s, and gave only the specifics, namely Elizabeth’s birthdate and date of her death.

“Did you have any idea her grave would be here?” George asked. His tone wasn’t accusatory, just curious.

“Not in the slightest,” Kim said. “I only found out recently that she’d not been buried in the family plot.”

“What do you want us to do?” George said. “You’re supposed to have a permit to disturb a grave.”

“Can’t you just go around it and leave it be?” Kim asked.

“I suppose,” George said. “We could just widen the trench along here. Should we be on the lookout for any others?”

“I don’t think so,” Kim said. “Elizabeth was a special case.”

“I hope you don’t mind me saying this,” George said. “But you look kinda pale. Are you okay?”

“Thank you,” Kim said. “I’m fine. Just a bit shocked. I guess I’m feeling a little superstitious about finding this woman’s grave.”

“So are we,” George said. “Especially my backhoe operator. Let me go get him out here. We got to get these utilities in before we pour the basement.”

George disappeared inside the house. Kim ventured back to the edge of the trench and peered down at the exposed corner of Elizabeth’s coffin. The wood was in surprisingly good shape for being buried for over three hundred years. It didn’t even appear rotten where the backhoe had damaged it.

Kim had no idea what to make of this unexpected discovery. First the portrait, now the grave. It was getting harder to dismiss these as fortuitous findings.

The sound of an approaching auto caught Kim’s attention. Shielding her eyes once again from the noonday sun, she watched a familiar-looking car kicking up a plume of dust as it followed the dirt road across the field. She couldn’t mentally place the vehicle until it pulled up next to her. Then she realized why it had been familiar. It was Ki

With some anxiety Kim walked over to the vehicle and leaned in through the passenger-side window.

“This is a surprise,” Kim said. “What on earth are you doing out of the hospital?”

Ki

“What are you doing in Salem?” Kim asked. “How did you know I was here?”

“Marsha told me,” Ki

“I guess I forgot,” Kim said.

“I told you several months ago,” Ki

“If you say so,” Kim said. She had no intention of getting into an argument. She already felt uncomfortable enough.

“You’re looking good,” Ki

“How do you know whom I’m dating?” Kim asked.

“Hospital gossip,” Ki

Kim could feel herself blush. She would have preferred not to show any reaction, but she couldn’t help it. Ki

“Edward is a smart man scientifically,” Ki

“I find him attentive and considerate,” Kim said.

“I can imagine,” Ki

Kim turned a bright red. Marsha had to have told Ki

“At least Edward Armstrong won’t irritate you by going skiing,” Ki

“I think you are being juvenile,” Kim said frostily when she found her voice. “Frankly, it doesn’t suit you. I’d thought you were more mature.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Ki

“I’m happy for you,” Kim said sarcastically.

Ki

Kim started to deny the possibility, but caught herself. Instead she said, “We’re thinking about it. We haven’t decided yet.”

“Enjoy yourself one way or the other,” Ki

Ki

At first Kim concentrated on shielding herself from flying stones. Once the danger was past, she watched Ki

After pulling herself together emotionally, Kim set to work. The afternoon passed quickly. Most of her time was spent in Mark Stevens’ office going over details of the kitchen and bathroom design. For Kim it was a supreme pleasure. It was the first limp in her life that she was creating a living environment for herself. It made her wonder how she had allowed her career goals to be so easily circumvented.

By seven-thirty Mark Stevens and George Harris were both exhausted, but Kim had gotten a second wind. The men had to tell Kim their eyes were blurry before Kim admitted she had to get back to the city. As they walked her out to her car, they thanked her for coming and promised her things would move quickly.

Driving into Cambridge, Kim didn’t even attempt to look for a parking place on the street. Instead she drove directly into the Charles’ parking garage and walked over to the Harvest Bar. It was filled to overflowing with a Friday-night crowd, most of whom had been there through happy hour.

Kim looked for Edward but didn’t immediately see him. She had to worm her way through the crowd standing five deep around the bar. Finally she found him nursing a glass of chardo

As Edward pushed the chair in under her, Kim remarked to herself that Ki

“You look like you could use a glass of white wine,” Edward said.