Silver's Bones by Midge Bubany Read Free Book Online

her.”
    About one o’clock Troy said he was going inside to use the restroom, but I figured he was hiding from Patrice. I was standing alone when the squad car pulled up. I felt like a defiant kid waiting for a reprimand from the principal for dressing inappropriately and not being where I was supposed to be. Would she write me up for something as trivial as this?
    But it wasn’t Sheriff Clinton—it was my wife.
    â€œHey, baby, good to see you,” I said.
    She looked around before she gave me a peck on the lips.
    â€œI’ve got lunch,” she said.
    Together we unloaded the bins of food and I talked her into staying to eat with me.
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    When Adriana returned home that afternoon, she changed into shorts before she came outside.
    â€œHow’s it going?” she asked.
    Troy got a goofy look on his face and said, “Slow. I’d rather be on a pontoon out on the lake. You ever consider buying one, Adriana?”
    â€œActually, yes. Know of any good used ones for sale?”
    â€œA buddy of mine has one he wants to sell. If you’re interested, I’ll give him a call.”
    â€œDo that.”
    â€œWell, all right all right all right,” he said, trying to sound like Matthew McConaughey.
    I lifted my brows and looked at Adriana, who was smiling at Troy.
    Really?
    â€œDoes anyone need anything?” she asked.
    â€œThanks, but we’re set,” I said.
    Troy looked at his watch. “How about a beer? I’m officially off duty.”
    â€œSure. Cal, you want one?”
    â€œNo . . . thanks.”
    When Troy followed her into the house, I felt a pang of something I had no right to feel. I didn’t want her, but I didn’t like her wanting someone else. So, I stood in the heat, sweating, watching people brush dirt off bones with a toothbrush. It was twilight before everyone else called it a night, and I didn’t see Troy or Adriana after they went inside.
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    Three hours later, Shannon and I were relaxing on our back deck when my cell phone rang. We both made a face. I looked at the display. Adriana? Shit.
    â€œSheehan,” I answered.
    â€œCal, as we were eating dinner, three kids came walking right onto my property from the east side.”
    We?
    â€œDid you call 911? There are patrols nearby.”
    Adriana hesitated. “No . . . I thought I’d call you.”
    â€œYeah, well, you need to call dispatch and let them know of the breach.”
    â€œSorry I bothered you,” she said, and hung up.
    â€œAdriana?” Shannon asked.
    â€œShe called to tell me kids walked onto her property.”
    â€œYou were a little curt with her.”
    â€œI don’t want her calling my phone.”
    A momentary silence hung heavy in the night. She took a sip of wine, then narrowed her eyes. “I feel sorry for her having to deal with all this. This afternoon Tamika and I were having a conversation about how security needs to be tighter out there. With the exact location given in the Register , every screwball curiosity seeker is going to try to see the site.”
    â€œI’m not sure Patrice understands what we went through with the Kohler/Peterson case.”
    â€œDo you think you should call Patrice to tell her about the breach?”
    â€œNo, I don’t. Dispatch will handle it.”
    Shannon shrugged. “Okay.”
    I took a pull of my beer.
    â€œI liked seeing you today,” I said. “It was a nice diversion in a long day.”
    â€œFor me, too.”
    â€œI didn’t ask how your day was, Mrs. Sheehan.”
    â€œQuiet. Two speeders, one stop sign, and one window tint.”
    â€œWarnings, or did you write ’em up?”
    â€œWarned the window tint. The others got citations.”
    â€œYou are one tough cookie . . . but a beautiful one.”
    When she put her hand on my inner thigh, I whistled “Dixie.” We went to bed.

 
    Chapter 5
    August 8
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