Silver's Bones by Midge Bubany Read Free Book Online Page B

isn’t some sort of burial ground, the BCA hired an independent company to survey three hundred acres surrounding Emmaline Lake with soil-pene­trating radar equipment. They’ll walk cadaver dogs through the north and east side of the lake and conduct random digs.”
    Adriana winced when she heard “burial ground.” She then introduced her mother to the sheriff.
    â€œWill we have a guard here tonight?” Magna asked Patrice.
    â€œYes, we’ll station a deputy right on the property.”
    â€œThank you,” Adriana said. “That will make me sleep better.”
    â€œWasn’t Deputy Kern here last night?”
    â€œHe was, but he can’t pull twenty-four-hour shifts.”
    â€œNo,” the sheriff said.
    â€œWell, I’m off to work. Let Mom know if you need anything,” Adriana said.
    â€œWe shouldn’t,” I said, “but nice of you to let us use your lower level so we don’t have to pee in the mosquito-infested woods. Those mosquitoes are quick suckers.”
    She gave me one of her silent laughs where she raised her head and closed her eyes. “No problem. See you later.”
    When Adriana left, Sheriff Clinton said, “So Troy’s in the office today?”
    â€œNot exactly. He was here all night, so he went home to sleep. That leaves me.”
    â€œAll right. Hey, I approve of the shorts,” she said.
    â€œI have a suggestion.”
    She looked at me like she didn’t want to hear it.
    â€œIn summer we have the option of wearing white, lighter-weight uniform shirts.”
    She raised her brow and gave me a single nod. “I’ll think about it.”
    After the forensic team arrived, Sheriff Clinton spoke with them briefly, then left. About an hour later, Dr. Kennedy told me the victim was most likely female and had been wrapped in a white sheet.
    Mid afternoon, Troy returned, still looking sleep-deprived. He was sporting new black shorts.
    â€œYou sleep?” I asked.
    â€œGrabbed a couple.”
    Magna came out with a plate of chocolate-chip cookies and a pitcher of lemonade.
    â€œThought you all could use some refreshments.”
    â€œThat looks so good. Very thoughtful of you, Mrs. Valero,” Troy said.
    I smiled and thanked her.
    â€œShall I bring in the tray when it’s empty?” Troy asked.
    â€œThat would be nice,” she said.
    When she’d gone in I said, “Why don’t you ask her to bend over so you can get a better angle for the ass kissing?”
    â€œI’m a very polite person.”
    No doubt about it. He was after Adriana.
    â€œWe should station Magna out here to scare away intruders,” I said under my breath.
    He laughed. “Why didn’t you two get along?”
    â€œShe doesn’t want her daughter married to anyone in law enforcement. Plus, we may have had a personality clash.”
    â€œLast night Adriana came out to talk to me for a while and her mother called her in like she was a fuckin’ teenager.”
    â€œYeah, she’s a bit of a control freak.”
    â€œSpeaking of control freaks,” Troy said, “Patrice left me a message remind­ing me we have to divide up our time out here. You want tomorrow or should I take it?”
    â€œYou seem to enjoy being out here,” I said.

 
    Chapter 6
    August 13
    A week after the skeletal remains were discovered, Sheriff Clinton held a brief news conference in front of the courthouse. She said the forensic search team concluded that no other bodies had been buried on the property, and the recovery was now complete. Identification could possibly be made within the week. Then after giving vague answers to pointed questions, she retreated into the courthouse to take the tunnel back to the department building.
    What she didn’t announce was that several items were recovered with the body, including scraps of clothing, sandal soles, fragments of a white sheet, a metal zipper,