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Category: Mystery/Crime
Description: Private Investigator, Tom Casey, better known as Hawkman, took on a fifteen year old cold case presented to him by Becky Simpson. Her father had just passed away without ever revealing why her mother deserted the family or why they never heard from her again. Hawkman thought the case sounded like a challenge, but little did he realize the twists and turns this investigation would take. As he delved into the lives of Al and Carole Simpson, he found many people reluctant to talk, who only gave surface answers. When he searched for relatives of the nanny, Carmella Jones, who'd taken care of Becky and her younger brother, Cory, a new lead surfaced through the woman's stepbrother, Ed Barnett. The more Hawkman dug, threatening phone calls and notes came to Becky and himself. This indicated he was getting very close to something. After talking with a longtime neighbor, Mavis Watkins, Hawkman decided to dig up the rose garden at the Simpson house. He came upon a startling discovery, which brought in the police. With the information Hawkman had collected and the help of his friend, Detective Williams, they brought the killer to the front.
eBook Publisher: SynergEbooks, 2007 SynergEbooks
eBookwise Release Date: November 2007

18 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [315 KB]
Words: 72797
Reading time: 207-291 min.

Ms. La Pierre has outdone herself with #10 in the Hawkman Series. Grave Web is a complex web of secrets and lies, keeping you guessing right up to the shocking unveiling. I didn't have a clue how the mystery would be solved, so I was both surprised and delighted with the very plausible ending. Baffle me, and you go on my shelf of great mystery writers. Ms. La Pierre has won her place there with Grave Web. ~ Margaret Marr

Becky Simpson stood at the edge of the open grave. Long strands of soggy hair clung to her face as tears slid down her cheeks. Her lightweight jacket dripped water as the rain pelted against her slim body. Thunder rumbled in the distance while the coffin slowly descended into the gapping hole. Cory sidled up next to her and placed an arm around her waist.

"Come on, Sis. You're getting soaked. It's time to go."

He gently led her toward the big black limousine, helped her into the seat, then scooted in beside her.

"What am I going to do without him?" She said, her voice quivering as she took the handkerchief he offered, and dabbed the water from her face.

"You'll be fine. Now you can do the things you always wanted to do."

"Do you realize without Dad, I'm all alone. You've at least got a wife and a child on the way. I've got no one."

He gave her a squeeze. "Hey, you're still young. You have plenty of time to find the right man."

She glanced at her brother. "You know what I'd really like to do?"

He shook his head. "No, what?"

"Find out what happened to our mother."

Cory straightened and removed his arm from around her shoulders. "Why do you want to go digging into the past trying to find the whereabouts of Mom? She left years ago and never made contact with either of us."

A slight smile curled the corners of Becky's lips. "I've dreamed of her many times. I can still see her cleaning the house and humming a cheerful tune. She always seemed so happy." Clasping her hands in her lap, Becky stared longingly out the rain streaked window. "There's bound to be a reason she left. I know she loved us. Why would she just disappear without a word?"

Cory bowed his head and dusted off his wet pants. "Have you ever thought she might be dead?"

Becky jerked her head around and glared at him. But before she could answer, the big car came to a stop in front of the church. Cory hopped out and ran around to open her door. He took her arm, and they hurried up the steps just as a bolt of lightening streaked across the sky, followed by another rumble of thunder. Dashing into the building, Susan, Cory's wife, met them inside the vestibule. She gave her husband a hug and took Becky's hand.

"I think you two need to get into dry clothes."

Becky nodded. "You're right. I'm getting chilled."

"We'll go by and pick up something to eat," Cory said. "See you in about thirty minutes."

"Okay. Meet you at the house."

As Becky drove home, many thoughts crowded her mind. She wondered why there were so few people at her father's service. Surely he had more friends. Of course, the weather may have played a role and kept many away. Not good for older people to drive in cold and stormy conditions. Maybe she should have offered to have a wake with food and drink. "Sorry, Dad," she muttered aloud. "I was just too upset."

When she reached the house, she ran upstairs and changed clothes, then brought in a big log from the covered back porch. Placing it on the paper she'd stacked on the grill, she set it afire. By the time Cory and Susan arrived with the food, the house felt cozy and warm.

After they finished the meal, eight months pregnant Susan groaned as she rose from the table. "It's been a tiring day and we have a long drive tomorrow. I think I'll go to bed." She turned to her husband. "Honey, could you help your sis clean up?"

Becky waved a hand. "You two go ahead, it won't take me a minute to get everything put away."

"Are you sure?" Cory said, picking up a couple of the plates.

"Yes." She gestured for him to leave the dirty dishes. "You go take care of Susan."