23

Thursday, July 25

Boyett Farm

Good Hollow Road, Fayetteville, 6:58 a.m.

Vera should have packed more clothes.

As she towel dried her hair, she stared at the last pair of clean jeans and the plain white tee that remained in her bag. Nothing she could do about it now. The worry was irrelevant, really. She wasn t here to impress anyone with her wardrobe. Comfort was far more important, considering she intended to get into that cave today. Once the FBI was on site, it would be far more difficult.

She needed to see with her own eyes what had happened in that cave since the last time she had been in there. And before . . . she realized . . . before they had put Sheree in there.

She gathered the clothes she d already worn to go in the wash.

Downstairs the scent of coffee filled the air. And something sweet. Vera followed the smell to the kitchen. Fresh cinnamon rolls sat on the table.

Eve looked up from her coffee. She had decided to stay with the family last night after all that had happened. Luna was up baking at five thirty this morning.

She left already?

Jerome picked her up for breakfast with his family. Eve lifted an eyebrow. We ll see how that goes. If you think life is miserable now, just let them hurt Luna s feelings about all this. We may never have peace again.

Vera gave a short laugh. They should keep in mind that Luna will be the mother of their grandchildren. Making her miserable would not be a smart move.

Eve nibbled at her cinnamon roll. Good point. Oh yeah, and Luna postponed the memorial service. She felt it would be better to wait until this all settles down.

Vera opted to not respond. Waiting for all this to settle might take far longer than her little sister realized. I need to pop this into the laundry. Vera showed Eve the bundle she carried, then headed across the room.

When she returned to the table, Eve passed a cup of steaming coffee to her. You sleep okay?

Vera grabbed the cup in both hands and enjoyed a long swallow. She moaned. Thank you. She studied her sister. I did. How about you?

I don t know. Eve made a face. I kept obsessing over what we talked about and how this could have happened.

Yeah. It was rambling around the edges of my thoughts every time I woke up. The scent of Luna s stress-relieving strategy tugged at her. I need a cinnamon roll.

For a time they picked at the pan of cinnamon rolls without talking.

Eventually Vera prompted, What were you thinking? Last night, I mean.

Eve wiped her sticky fingers on a napkin. I don t know. Maybe that during my alcohol binging blackouts, maybe I killed people and put them in that cave.

Vera made a face. What the hell, Eve? Don t say things like that. Don t even think along those lines. Jesus! Had she lost her mind? Besides, the women were put there when we were just little kids.

Eve shrugged. So maybe I did the guy. I could be a blackout killer.

Vera so regretted opening that Pandora s box. Okay. To put your mind at ease, let s talk about that possibility then. She reached for her coffee. Have you ever woken up with scratches or bruises you couldn t remember getting? Maybe with your clothes or shoes soiled or your car left someplace you don t remember going?

Eve considered her questions, then laughed: a dry sound. Actually, yes to all of the above.

A groan welled in Vera s throat. Was this something that happened often?

Eve made a face as she considered the question. Remember, when I drink, I don t have just a couple of beers or cocktails. I go all out. I drink myself to the verge of alcohol poisoning. I rarely remember anything.

Vera decided she d lost her appetite. Somehow knowing this was a possibility and hearing Eve say it out loud were different. All right then. How about anyone who saw you out, and you didn t remember seeing them? Have you ever had anyone insist they saw you somewhere you don t recall going?

Only like a gazillion times. Eve finished off her cinnamon roll. I never had anyone tell me I got into a fight or left with some stranger. Maybe that s a plus.

Definitely a plus. Have you ever found any items in your car or in your room that didn t belong to you, and you didn t recall how you came to be in possession of them?

She moved her head side to side. Not that I can remember.

Has Suri ever mentioned you saying things in your sleep or any other odd behavior?

Another shake of her head. Never. She says I sleep like a rock.

Vera slid off her stool and walked around to her sister. She put her arm around her shoulders and hugged her. I m sorry I made you feel you had to question yourself this way.

No biggie. Eve searched her face. Will the FBI be wanting to talk to us?

Her sister looked worried now. Vera wished she could make her understand this was just a step in the process. They will. But you don t talk to anyone without me present. Understood?

Eve nodded.

I ll make sure Luna knows to do the same. Vera was well aware how conversations could be manipulated in an effort to prompt the desired response. She was an expert at exactly that sort of interrogation. Funny how different it looked when you were on the receiving side of the manipulation.

Her cell vibrated, and she tugged it from her jeans. Text message. Eric. She smiled. The content of the message pulled her smile into a frown. The cell phone that sent us the text messages, she said to Eve, was a burner.

Like in the TV cop shows? Untraceable?

Pretty much. A second text told her he d be in touch about her other request soon. She sent a thank-you with multiple exclamation points, then slid her cell back into her pocket. There s no way to determine if our messenger is a legitimate threat or just some asshole playing games. Our best course of action is to play it safe-assume he s a real threat. Which means -she looked directly into Eve s eyes as she spoke- we should be careful and always watchful.

Eve grinned. I love you so much. I ve always wanted to be you.

Vera laughed. Don t be ridiculous. Then who would be the amazing Eve?

Vera s cell vibrated again, with an incoming call this time. She dug it out once more. Bent. She looked to Eve. If he tells me we have another set of remains, I might just scream.

How the hell many more could be in there? It s not that big.

The fact that Eve didn t mention the deeper cavern provided Vera with a measure of relief. She should never have allowed her imagination to run away with her. Her sister couldn t have known the others were there.

Hey, Bent. What s up? I was just about to head to your place.

Eve shot her a look that said told you so. Vera rolled her eyes.

Meet me downtown, Vee. We have a problem.

Vera swallowed to dampen her suddenly dry throat. I m coming now.

Lincoln County Sheriff s Department

Thornton Taylor Parkway, Fayetteville, 8:30 a.m.

You remember Dr. Higdon, Bent said, gesturing to the man seated in the chair in front of his desk.

Vera paused only for a second as she crossed the room. Bent s assistant had sent her into his office. Vera hadn t known there was someone already there. Of course I do. She walked straight over and extended her hand toward the man who had served as Lincoln County s medical examiner for nearly forty years. Dr. Higdon, it s good to see you again. I hope you ll tell Mrs. Higdon how much we appreciated that casserole she and Mrs. Fraley dropped by. To Vera s knowledge it was still in the fridge, but a little buttering up of local officials never hurt.

Higdon stood, accepted her hand, and gave it a shake. It s been a good long time. I wish it were under more pleasant circumstances.

Vera forced her smile to stay in place. It s a strange time, for sure. She turned to Bent, who stood behind his desk. So what s going on? Though she imagined Higdon had already gotten a preliminary look at all the remains, chances were, the FBI would want their own people to do an assessment, which invited the question, Why was she here?

Higdon lowered back into his chair, and Bent gestured for her to have a seat as well. Vera complied. Evidently he wasn t going to proceed until everyone was seated. Lastly, Bent settled into his chair.

Dr. Higdon, why don t you explain the problem to Vera?

Vera looked from Bent to the older man. It would certainly be nice if someone would. Her instincts were suddenly humming a tune she knew far too well-something was up. Bent had said there was a problem. Evidently it involved the ME.

I was the person, you may recall, Higdon said, his focus on Vera, who pronounced your mother after her death.

I do. Yes. Vera blocked images from that horrible day. It was the worst day of her life.

We didn t do an autopsy because of the cancer diagnosis, he explained, but I did conduct a quick examination as per standard procedure.

Vera nodded. Where was this going?

Higdon leaned forward-not an easy feat, considering his size. The man wasn t that tall, but he made up for it in girth. With his Sunday-go-to-meeting jacket and his perfectly starched bow tie, he d always reminded Vera of Porky Pig. She blinked to banish the image. Bit her lips together to prevent a smile.

I suppose I should have asked about this back then, but you girls were crying something pitiful. Poor Vernon was beside himself. I just couldn t bring myself to do it.

Vera looked from Higdon to Bent and back once more. Ask what, Dr. Higdon? I m not following.

There s really no way to do this but just to say it. He cleared his throat. While examining your mother, I noted a number of bruises to the throat and shoulder area. He gestured to his own nearly nonexistent throat. At the time I considered that the discoloration might perhaps be related to the cancer treatments. But now, thinking back, the positioning of the bruises . . . well it just feels wrong.

Vera tilted her head, studying the man as she locked down the emotions welling inside her. Now this-this place where Higdon had just gone-was territory where no one wanted to go after the loss of a loved one. The trouble in this instance was that the loved one in question had been dead for more than two decades. And she was Vera s mother.

What exactly are you implying, Dr. Higdon?

A covert glance at Bent showed his full attention resting on the medical examiner. Evidently he wasn t giving her a damned thing.

I know your father well, Higdon said. I ve always considered him a good friend, and I was so sad for him when Evelyn died. For you girls as well. Perhaps my personal feelings prevented me from looking as closely as I should have. From doing my job to the best of my ability.

Fury roared through her like a freight train. He was seriously going there. I would advise you to tread carefully, sir. This sort of thing can be quite libelous.

Higdon turned to Bent then. I am only telling you what I saw. And now, in light of what we know happened to Sheree and the other remains-those deaths may not have been the first murder perpetrated by Vernon Boyett. He swung his gaze back to Vera. You can call it whatever you like, young lady, but I can t in good conscience cover for your father any longer.

Vera stood so fast her chair almost tipped over. I will not listen to these ridiculous and unfounded accusations. I m stunned that you would even go down this path. She swung her attention to the sheriff. I can t believe you would go along with this, Bent.

We should exhume Evelyn s body, Higdon insisted to Bent, totally ignoring Vera.

I will not agree to that, Vera stated without reservation. Was the man insane? And if this leaks to the media, I will sue.

Higdon glared up at her. If you re so certain your father never harmed your mother, why not allow me to rule out the possibility once and for all?

Oh, she had used that same line so many times in the course of investigations. First, she said, whatever bruising may or may not have been present on my mother s body would not be there now-not in any identifiable manner, at least. As you well know. Therefore what you re suggesting is nothing more than a dog and pony show to buy you some relevance in the media with this current case. We all know how rarely a case like this comes along in a small town, and when it does, everyone wants to be the star of the show.

The man s face bloomed a bright red. I didn t look for fractures or other indications of previous abuse. I had too much respect for your father. But a man who would kill his wife would think nothing of abusing her in other ways.

Another blast of outrage reverberated through Vera. You would have been wasting your time. My mother was not abused. My father took very good care of her and all of us. I was there. Her body shook with outrage.

I would agree, the old bastard said. Except everything changed when Sheree came into your lives, he pointed out almost giddily. Considering how quickly she and your father married and Luna came along, it would be foolish not to recognize they were involved before your mother s death.

Well -Vera gave a slow, thoughtful nod- if you did notice something at the time of my mother s death and failed to investigate, then you were negligent in the carrying out of the duties of your office. When he attempted to argue, she held up her hand. In which case, every death you ve investigated since that time will and should come under scrutiny. She aimed a knowing smile at him. I m not sure you understand the ramifications of opening that can of worms, Dr. Higdon, but I will be more than happy to show you what they are.

Vee -Bent stood- Higdon has already gone to the FBI with this.

Higdon s eyes fairly glittered with excitement as he watched her stunned and somewhat deflated reaction to the news.

There were many things Vera wanted to say, but words eluded her in that moment. Finally, she summoned her wherewithal and warned, Exhume my mother, and I will make sure every news outlet in this part of the country knows about your admitted negligence.

Vee, Bent said, his voice low and urgent, whatever else Higdon does, the FBI will not let this go now that it s on the table.

She ignored the point he made . . . didn t want to hear it.

I m sure the funeral home has photos from when my mother was prepared for burial. You have my permission to use those to review the case, she said to Higdon. That should be sufficient.

Higdon smiled, as if that had been his intent all along. Very well. As you say, I m sure that will suffice.

Bastard.

Now -Vera drew in a deep breath- if you ll excuse me. I have to speak with my sisters and warn them about this latest travesty.

She turned her back and walked out.

Vee. Bent was right on her heels.

Not now, she warned with a lethal glance in his direction.

He backed off.

It took every ounce of strength she possessed to get out of the building and into her SUV before the damned tears started. It was one thing to go after her father, but it was entirely another to use her mother s death in such a way.

This was wrong. And she intended to prove it, with or without Bent s support.