Read Gold Hill for Free Online

Ava pointed to his mouth. “Fabulous.”
    “ And the sculptor created
these study models,”
    Delphie showed a series of
pictures of small wax statues of the child carved out of
wax.
    “ The second one is the
best,” Beth’s father said.
    “ I’m glad you said that,”
Delphie said. “That’s the one we picked. The victims’ names will be
carved around the stand. The final bronze statue will be installed
behind where the back of the house is now. It will sit on the edge
of the smaller pond. It should be truly lovely. We’ll have you back
when it’s done.”
    “ So expensive,” Beth’s
mother said.
    “ We had an anonymous donor
pay for the statue,” Delphie smiled.
    Ava mouthed “Seth” to
Beth’s mother. Beth’s mother nodded. Looking up, Delphie noticed
that most of the families of the victims had arrived. The City of
Brighton was having its own ceremony later that day. But right now,
they had gathered to celebrate the end of Saint Jude’s rampage
against homeless children and the lives of his victims.
    There was a noise near the
mansion. Delphie looked down to see gravel fly as Jill’s SUV pulled
into the driveway. Jeraine’s Cadillac Escalade followed Jill’s with
Heather’s Subaru not far behind. The women and children were
laughing as they piled out of the cars. Jacob pulled up in a Lipson
Construction SUV with Aden, Blane, Tres, Honey, and Tanesha’s
father Rodney. Mike and Valerie, carrying Mr. Bilfry, got out of
the back of Jeraine’s car.
    Her family was
here!
    “ Would you excuse me?”
Delphie asked.
    “ Please,” Beth’s mother
said. “My Beth . . . Amelie tells me
you . . . ”
    “ Beth is at peace,”
Delphie said. “Such a beautiful, good soul, she’s at peace. You can
rest assured that she is celebrated for all she was and she will be
there when you are done here.”
    Beth’s mother gave Delphie
a watery smile and her husband led her toward where the other
victim’s families were waiting. Delphie turned just in time to pick
up Katy as she ran to her. Katy gave Delphie a Shasta Daisy and
kissed her cheek.
    “ Sorry we’re late,” Sandy
said. “We were waiting for Sissy
and . . . ”
    “ Just got behind,” Jacob
hugged Delphie. He offered to take Katy but Delphie shook her
head.
    “ I’m glad you’re here,”
Delphie said.
    “ Are you ready?” Sam
asked.
    Delphie nodded. Sam nodded
to the Mayor’s aide. Delphie and Katy went up to the front where
the victims’ families waited. When Delphie nodded, they let loose
one hundred biodegradable white balloons in commemoration of the
Saint Jude’s victims. The Mayor of Brighton led everyone in a
moment of silence as the balloons floated into the sky.
    Delphie watched them fly.
Saint Jude was gone. The evil presence that had been here for time
unknown was gone.
    And somehow, she was still
standing under the blue Colorado sky. She caught Sam’s eye and he
smiled.
    “ Ms. Delphinium?” the
Mayor looked at her.
    “ Let the celebration
begin!” Delphie said.
    ~~~~~~~~
    Tuesday afternoon — 3:15
p.m.
     
    “ I still think we need ice
cream,” Jeraine said.
    “ Then get some.” Tanesha
raised her eyebrows in a challenge. She pushed the full cart one
step forward in the long grocery line. “I’ll be here when you get
back.”
    Swallowing hard, Jeraine
nodded. He kissed her cheek and went down the freezer aisle. They
had offered to watch the kids when Valerie went into labor. Because
the Castle was surrounded by paparazzi, they figured it was better
to move the kids to their Penthouse. Heather was bringing Mack over
tonight and Sandy’s kids were sleeping over. Jill would drop off
Katy on her way to the hospital. That way, all of the adults were
free to help out in whatever way they could. Sandy and Aden would
play tag team babysitters with Tanesha and Jeraine.
    Tanesha was excited to be
able to help out and Jeraine seemed thrilled to be included. The
only problem was that they had absolutely no food in