Silver's Bones by Midge Bubany Page A

be giving you input to beautify an ugly, evil location.”
    The group remained motionless until a woman wearing jeans and a yellow T-shirt stepped forward. She looked to be Silver’s sister, with the same round face and hooded eyes. She spoke, filling the uncomfortable silence after her mother’s blast of anger. “Mom, I think Adriana understands how painful this place is for us. It’s not pleasant for her, either. That’s why she wants to turn it into a lovely spot in Silver Rae’s memory. Adriana, I want to thank you for honoring my sister. The cross is beautiful, by the way.”
    â€œIt’s for you. You can take it with you if you wish,” she said. “Take all the time you need here.”
    I followed Adriana into the house. Patrice stayed with the family. Adriana sat at the kitchen counter, dabbing away tears with a tissue. Magna had her arm draped across her daughter’s back.
    â€œDon’t take it personally. She’s grieving,” I said.
    Magna glanced at me and nodded, but Adriana stared straight ahead and said, “I know. I totally understand. It must be so painful.”
    There was a knock on the screened patio door to the deck. Silver’s sister.
    â€œHi, I’m Ellie Dawson Connor,” she said. “May I speak with Adriana?”
    I slid the door open to let her in.
    Ellie said, “I apologize for my mother’s rudeness. She’s not usually like that.”
    As Adriana walked toward Ellie she said, “I can only imagine how I’d feel if it were my child. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
    â€œI think my parents had hoped she’d be found alive. It’s tearing them up she was so close all this time . . . and I feel bad your lovely property now has this tragedy attached to it.”
    That wasn’t what she needed to hear. Adriana shook her head, fighting tears.
    I said, “Ellie, I hate to bother you during this difficult time, but we’ll need to ask you some questions. Is there a time when you could come into the Sheriff’s Department?”
    â€œI’m free this afternoon, if that works.”
    â€œYes, definitely. How does two o’clock sound?”
    â€œPerfect.”
    â€œNo one mentioned how Silver died. Do you know?” Ellie asked.
    â€œWe haven’t received the full autopsy report yet. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell after this amount of time.”
    â€œWhat was left of her? I know I’m being morbid, but I want to know.”
    I nodded. “Just her bones.”
    â€œWas she cut in pieces?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWas she in a garbage bag?”
    â€œNo, it appears she was wrapped in a sheet.”
    Ellie nodded. “I didn’t want her to be in a garbage bag.”
    Adriana pulled Ellie in for a hug and both started crying. When they parted, Ellie took Adriana’s hands in hers and said, “Daisies. Silver always loved daisies.”
    Did the bouquet found near the site contain daisies? I made a mental note to check.
    Adriana smiled and said, “Thank you.”
    Ellie turned to me. “Silver was the sweetest, kindest person I’ve ever known. Find the son of a bitch who killed her. Excuse my French, but what kind of an animal does something like this to a beautiful girl like my sister?”
    â€œWe’ll give it everything we have,” I said, at once feeling the words inadequate.
    She gave a quick nod and went to join her family. When we heard car doors slam, I heard Adriana take a deep breath.
    â€œYou okay?” I asked.
    â€œHow can I be okay?”
    â€œYou will be . . . and I better get back to town. I have lots of work to do.”
    Adriana followed me out. “Look,” I said, pointing to the spot where the cross had been placed.
    She smiled thinly. “I hope it was Mrs. Dawson who took it. Cal, thanks for being here today. It meant a lot to me.”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œBy the way, Mother remarked