Caroline let out a low sob and pressed her forehead against her knees.

“That’s a double-edged sword,” Lydia warned. “It proves the estate knew, but it also implicates your family in a conspiracy to conceal burial grounds.”

“I don’t care about saving the family name anymore,” I said. “I care about saving the people buried on that ridge.”

“Then you need to contact the descendants directly,” Lydia said. “If they assert their ancestral rights, they can file an emergency injunction that bypasses the county zoning office entirely.”

“I have Sarah Harrison’s number,” I said, remembering the spokeswoman for the local historical preservation group.

“Call her now,” Lydia said. “I’ll hold off the zoning clerk as long as I can.”

I ended the call with Lydia and switched back to Warren’s line.

“I’m not coming to your office, Warren,” I said.

“Then your aunt’s reputation is finished,” Warren said.

“She did a terrible thing,” I said, staring at Caroline. “But you’re the one who drew up the paperwork.”

I hung up before he could respond.

The silence in the library was heavy, broken only by the sound of the wind rattling the old window panes.