One Grave Too Many

escort you to the meeting,” he said.
    “Escort me?”
    “You’re supposed to be in the hospital.”
    “OK. It’s time, then.” She turned to Jonas. “Well, I suppose the endgame is starting.”
    “You talking about the museum or chess?”
    “Both.”
    Jonas chuckled. “For our game, you could resign now.”
    Diane smiled and left with Korey to go up to the third-floor meeting room. In the lobby they met Mark and Signy Grayson, who both looked surprised and a little disappointed at seeing her.
    “You must not have been as bad off as people have been saying,” said Mark.
    “I’m very sorry to disappoint you. I’m injured but not dead. And how is your cold, Signy? I’ve been concerned about you after that strange episode after the party. I hope you’ve changed your cold medication.”
    “I’m fine, thank you.” She gave a thin smile, and Diane noticed that both she and Mark eyed her closely.
    “I’m going to the meeting room,” said Mark. “I’ll see you there, Diane. Glad you could make it.”
    Diane watched him stride confidently to the conference room. She started to follow, but the elevator doors opened and Vanessa Van Ross stepped into the lobby.
    “Mrs. Van Ross,” acknowledged Signy. “You’re looking well. I’ve seen your limousine at the hospital more than once. I feared you were ill.”
    “No. I’ve just been visiting the Center for Research on Aging there at the hospital.”
    “Looking into the latest research on longevity?” Signy gave her a bright smile.
    “My dear, are you hoping I’ll hurry and move on to the next world and make space for you and your husband?”
    “Nonsense. Why would we want that?”
    “You think if I were gone, Diane would be more vulnerable—in fact, you think many of Mark’s other real estate ventures would be easier. I’ve been a thorn in his side for quite a while, opposing all those zoning changes he wants.”
    “I think you’re just oversensitive. We don’t wish you ill.”
    “Good, then you’ll be happy to know that not only is my mother still alive and kicking, so is my grandmother.”
    “Your grandmother? That’s not possible,” said Signy.
    “Yes, dear, it is. If you and Mark weren’t so self-absorbed, you’d know that my grandmother is the second oldest person in the United States. So, dear, when you’re my age I’ll probably still be alive and going to those city council meetings to oppose Mark and his self-serving projects.”
    Diane and Vanessa left Signy standing openmouthed in the lobby. “The herpetologist is putting in an interesting exhibit,” she heard Korey telling Signy.
    Almost everyone was in the meeting room when Diane entered. They all greeted her with surprise and sympathy. Her usual seat was vacant, and Craig and Mark had taken up their positions on either side of her.
    She sat on one end; Vanessa Van Ross on the other. If it were chess, Vanessa would be the queen defending her king—the museum. She was the one who wielded the greatest power for Diane’s side. Diane wasn’t sure what she was—a pawn, perhaps. No, a knight. A good guard with power to move in creative ways.
    She looked at the faces of her board members as they studied Mark’s figures.
    “Good to see you,” said Kenneth. “How’s that computer working out?”
    “Great,” said Diane. “I love it. I loaned it to Frank. I told him his unit should get some.”
    “That’s my girl,” said Kenneth. “It’s a honey of a computer.”
    Laura entered, out of breath. “Diane. I went by the hospital and they told me you’d left temporarily. Are you all right?”
    “I’m doing fine. The doctor wants me to spend the night there, so I have to go back. He suspects I have internal injuries.”
    “Should you be here at all?” said Harvey Phelps. “You look pale.”
    “This won’t take long,” she said.
    She met Gordon Atwell’s gaze. He held hers for a moment and looked back down at the figures Mark had handed out. Diane wondered if it was he or someone he told who requested “In the Hall of the Mountain King” at the reception.
    “Are we all here?” she said. “Mark, I believe you have a presentation.”
    He stood and cleared his throat. “I have the figures Laura asked for at the last meeting. I think the numbers speak for themselves, and the museum would indeed come out ahead making a move to the Vista Building. I’ll be glad to answer any questions.”
    “Are these figures accurate?” said Harvey Phelps. “How much