Sally's Bones by MacKenzie Cadenhead Page A

found in an obviously public shed. Let’s hear some new evidence, or let’s go home.”
    The D.C. stomped away, muttering words to himself that Sally was sure she was too young to hear. Though she tried to temper her elation, fully aware that the trial had not yet been won, she couldn’t resist skipping a little as she headed over to give her client a hug.

Chapter 13

    â€œYou’re doing great, Sal,” Mr. Simplesmith said as he greeted his daughter at the monkey-bar jail.
    â€œThanks, Dad.” Sally smiled. She pet her incarcerated pup, who wiggled and wagged in delight. “I just want this whole nightmare to be over.”
    â€œOh, I’m sure you do, you poor dear!” Vivienne Vanderperfect said as she appeared at Seymour’s side. Viola slogged behind her.
    â€œWell hey there, Viv.” Mr. Simplesmith smiled. “Wasn’t that nice of Viola and her mom to come out and show their support, Sally?”
    â€œIt really was,” Sally agreed. “Thanks so much for your testimony, Mrs. Vanderperfect.”
    â€œNow, I told you to call me Vivienne, darling!” Viola’s mother reminded. “And no thanks are necessary. I simply answered that man’s questions. I have faith that things will turn out right in the end.”
    Sally beamed at Vivienne, and for her sake tried hard not to glare at Viola, who refused to look up from her newly manicured nails.
    â€œI just think it’s so terrible that you have to go through this. And you, Seymour,” Vivienne took his hand. “I’m sure it was hard enough when Sally brought home that…well, ‘dog’ is probably the wrong word. But to agree to house him and then have him turn on you like that? Such a shame.”
    â€œBut Bones is innocent, Mrs. Vanderperfect,” Sally declared, shocked that the same woman who had just given such helpful testimony was actually suspicious.
    â€œOf course he is, honey,” Vivienne humored.
    â€œNo, it’s true,” Sally insisted. “He doesn’t even like bones!”
    Viola looked up. “How can he not like them? He’s made out of them.”
    â€œNo, I mean he doesn’t like chewing on them. He thinks it’s repulsive,” Sally explained. “That’s how I know he didn’t do what he’s accused of. It would gross him out too much.” Sally waited for some sort of apology from Viola and her mother, but Viola merely shrugged as Mrs. Vanderperfect indulged Sally with an exaggerated expression of concern. Sally was preparing to explain again when her father spoke.
    â€œBut Sal,” Mr. Simplesmith said uneasily. “Don’t you remember the chicken bone, that first night?”
    Officer Stu returned to the picnic bench and called the court to order.
    â€œWhat?” Sally asked, surprised.
    â€œThe first night you brought Bones home, I gave him a chicken bone. And, well, don’t you remember honey? He took it.”
    Sally pulled her father away from the Vanderperfects. “Oh, yeah, that,” she mumbled as Stu’s gavel banged for the fourth time. “Look, Dad, I can’t explain now, but not everything is exactly how it looks. I’ll fill you in later, but please keep the chicken bone to yourself and trust me. I swear Bones didn’t do this, all right?”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œDaddy. Please.”
    Mr. Simplesmith hovered for a moment but said nothing more and returned, perplexed, to his seat. Sally looked at Bones through the monkey bars. “You ready, boy?”
    â€œGGGgggrrr-uff!” he replied. Sally smiled at him proudly.
    â€œCourt is now in session,” Officer Stu announced. “Does the prosecution have any other witnesses?”
    â€œNot at this time,” the D.C. grumbled. Sally felt her heart skip.
    â€œSally, is there anyone you’d like to call to the stand?”
    â€œYes, Officer Stu, there is. I would like to call the