He forced her closer to the tub. "I know what you're thinking. That Cypress Springs is too small and inconsequential for what happens here to make a difference in the world. You're wrong. Consider what happens when you toss a pebble in the pool, how that little plunk affects the entire pool in ever-widening ripples. So too with us.

"Our influence is spreading. We're branching out into other small communities. Finding others who think as we do. Others who are sick of the filth. The drugs. The moral decay that has spread to every nook and cranny of this country. Others who believe the end justifies the means."

Gwen began to cry. She shook her head, unable to take her eyes off the knife.

"Time for sentencing, Gwen Lancaster."

He turned quickly, dragging her with him, propelling her forward. Before she could grasp what was

happening, her head smashed into the doorjamb.

Pain exploded behind her eyes. Her world went black.

CHAPTER 45.

Avery gazed out at the rain-soaked morning. Leaves and branches littered the yard; a limb from the neighbor's tree had fallen and partially blocked her driveway. Hunter had left hours ago, sometime before the storm hit. He'd used Sarah as an excuse. She had known the truth to be otherwise; he had wanted to be alone. To sort through his thoughts, come to grips with

them.

Whatever they were. She wasn't certain. He had been shaken, that she knew. But noncommittal. Almost secretive.

They'd gone over the list again. And again. With the possible exception of the coroner, every person involved with the investigation had died recently. And unexpectedly.

She closed her eyes, picturing the notations Trudy Pruitt had made on the newspaper-All but two.

Was Buddy Stevens one of those two? Was his life in danger?

Or was he a killer?

Avery turned away from the window. Buddy Stevens was a good man. The very epitome of law and order. To imagine him as otherwise was to ponder the ridiculous.

Then why did she have this heavy feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach?

No. She squeezed her eyes shut. Buddy wasn't a part of this. And she wouldn't lose him to a killer.

Avery made her way to the kitchen. She and Hunter had agreed that she would call Dr. Harris and

Buddy this morning. The clock on the microwave revealed that it was not quite eight. She would wait a few more minutes before trying the man.

And before trying Gwen. Again.

Gwen hadn' t called yesterday, neither Avery's home line nor her cell. So Avery had tried the woman's cell while Hunter slept. The number had worked, but Gwen hadn't answered. She had tried early this morning with the same result.

Avery sank onto one of the kitchen chairs then returned to her feet, too antsy to sit. She began to pace.

Neither time she had left a message; now she wished she had. At least Gwen would know they were still on the same side. And that she was okay.

Where was her friend? Why hadn't she called?

Avery stopped, picked up the phone and brought it to her ear, checking for a dial tone. At the welcoming

hum, she hesitated then punched in the woman's cell number. It went straight to her message service, indicating she didn't have the device on.

"Gwen, hi. It's Avery. I have information. Call me."

She replaced the receiver. Now what? Call The Guesthouse, going through the operator? Try the hall

pay phone? Or wait?

She decided on the last. In the meantime she would call Dr. Harris.

The coroner answered the phone himself, on the first ring. "Dr Harris. It Avery Chauvin."

"Ms. Chauvin," he said warmly. "How are you?"

"Better," she said. "Thank you for asking."

"Glad to hear it. What can I do for you this morning?"

"I'm working on a story about the Sallie Waguespack murder."

"Did you say Waguespack?"

"I did."

"My, that's an old one."

"Yes-1988. Were you coroner at that time?"

"Nope. That was during one of my hiatuses. Believe Dr. Bill Badeaux was coroner then."

"Would you know how I could contact him?"

"I'm afraid that'd be tough, seeing he passed on."

That left Buddy. He was the last one.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she said, forcing normalcy into her tone. "Did he pass away recently?"

"A year or so ago. Heard through the grapevine. He'd moved away from the parish way back."

A year or so. Maybe he had been the first.

Her legs began to shake. She found a chair and sank onto it.

"Ms. Chauvin? Are you okay?"

"Absolutely." She cleared her throat. She wanted to ask how the man had died, but didn't want to arouse

his suspicions, especially in light of what she intended to ask next. "Did Buddy Stevens get in touch with

you?"

"Buddy? No, was he supposed to?"

"He couldn't find the Waguespack autopsy report. He was going to give you a call. Probably slipped his mind."

" 'Course, the autopsy would have been done in Baton Rouge, but I'd have a copy. I tell you what, I'll

pull it and give you a call back."

"Could you do it now, Dr. Harris? I'm sorry to be such a pest, but my editor gave me an unreal deadline on this story."

"I can't." He sounded genuinely sorry. "I was on my way over to the hospital when you called and it's going to take a few minutes to locate the file."

"Oh." She couldn't quite hide her disappointment.

"I tell you what, I should be back in a couple hours. I'll take care of it then. What number should I call?"

To ensure she wouldn't miss him, Avery gave him her cell number. "Thank you, Dr. Harris. You've been

a big help."

She hung up, then dialed Hunter. He answered right away.

"It's Avery," she said. "A Dr. Bill Badeaux was West Feliciana Parish coroner in 1988. He died about a

year ago."

"Shit. How?"

"I was afraid to come off too nosy. I figured it wouldn't be too hard to find out. One trip over to the

Gazette-"

"I'll do it."

"But-"

"But nothing. You've already poked around over there. I don't want you drawing any more attention to

yourself."

"You think I'm right, don't you? About The Seven?"

She heard a rustling sound from the other end of the phone, then Sarah began to bark. "I'll let you know,"