Silver's Bones by Midge Bubany

Martison’s investigation that sloppy? Was he that incompetent?”
    â€œRalph’s an excellent investigator,” I said in his defense. I thought highly of him and didn’t like his reputation tarnished by the new sheriff making her mark.
    â€œYou said it yourself—that earring places her in the lodge the day she died. And he didn’t find it—nor did he find her grave.”
    â€œAnyway,” I said, “I told Adriana to tell Maddie to keep this to herself. We’ll have to ask Del to do the same. We’ll need to question him for the record.”
    â€œI’ll speak to Del and Miss Mitchell myself,” Patrice said. “Now if you’ll be so kind as to check this earring into evidence.”
    Instead of telling her to eat shit, I said, “No problem.”
    As I was about to leave, she received a phone call. She held up her hand for me to wait. After she thanked the caller and hung up, she said, “DNA results and dental x-rays confirm our victim is Silver Rae Dawson.”
    â€œNot that it’s a big surprise.”
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    At nine o’clock that morning, I stood in the warm sunshine on the top step in front of the stately courthouse, watching Sheriff Patrice Clinton make the brief but official announcement. She closed by making a plea for respect and privacy for the family. I kept looking for Troy in the crowd.
    Ten minutes after we’d returned to the department, Ray Dawson called Patrice and asked if the family could visit the excavation site that morning. Patrice asked me to call Adriana to get permission. She agreed, and when I notified Patrice, she instructed me to meet the family at the site at ten o’clock.
    When I arrived at Adriana’s a little before ten, I was surprised to find her there. She showed me an eighteen-inch, multi-colored stained glass cross she had placed at Silver Rae’s grave site. The dappled sunlight danced over the ground and through the stained glass, casting splashes of color. She had also laid a bouquet of flowers next to it. Who else laid flowers near her grave?
    â€œBeautiful cross.”
    â€œI bought it from Maddie. She does stained glass, as well. I’m going to give it to the Dawsons.”
    â€œNice gesture, Adriana.”
    â€œI’m going to make a garden here in Silver’s honor.”
    I nodded.
    About 10:15 a.m., Patrice’s cruiser drove in, followed by three cars.
    Shit, if she was coming, why did I have to be here? I have things to do before the interviews.
    People piled out and followed Patrice to the site. Then Patrice suggested we go inside to give the family privacy. The three of us went up the deck steps into Adriana’s great room. Magna greeted us and served iced tea as we waited. I found her pleasantness so odd.
    â€œNice touch out there, Adriana, with the cross and flowers,” Patrice said.
    â€œI’m going to give it to the parents. Patrice, do you think it appropriate if I speak to the family before they leave? I’ll be brief.”
    â€œI think that would be fine,” she said and got up to look out the window. “Looks like things are winding up. Why don’t we go out now?”
    Patrice and I followed Adriana out across the deck and down the stairs. As we approached, the family became quiet. The only sounds were the leaves rustling from the light breeze and a goldfinch perched at Adriana’s feeder, singing a sweet song. It then flitted above us to a tree.
    Adriana went up to the Dawsons and said, “I’m Adriana Velero. I’m so very sorry for your great loss. In Silver’s memory, I’m going to make this spot into a flower garden. I’d like to plant some of her favorites. I’d welcome your input.”
    Mrs. Dawson’s face turned hard and tight. With pursed lips she spurted, “This is where someone disposed of my girl like garbage. You want to plant flowers, that’s your choice, but I won’t