Unlawfully Wedded

“He’s a cute kid.”

His observation was greeted by a surprised look.

“Yes,” she agreed. “Chad’s adorable.”

“So.” He paused long enough to take another swallow. “How come you’re hanging around?”

“I’m just waiting for the police to finish,” she told him. “They’ve got my car blocked in.”

“You could ask them to move it.”

“I could, but I don’t mind waiting.”

“Patience is a virtue.”

He could almost hear her spine stiffen.

“Why do you feel the need to mock me?” she asked pointedly.

“I wasn’t mocking. Simply making an observation.”

“Miss?”

Tory turned in answer to the male voice. One of the detectives marched forward, his badge dangling from the breast pocket of his tan suit jacket.

“Would it be possible for me to get a glass of water?”

“Sure,” Tory answered as she slipped behind the bar and filled a glass with ice.

“J. D. Porter,” he said, extending his hand to the man.

“Greer,” the detective responded, wiping his hand on his slacks before engaging in the handshake. “You’re Rose’s...”

“Son,” J.D. answered without inflection.

The detective regarded him briefly before Tory appeared with the glass. “Thanks,” he said. “It’s hot as all get-out today.”

“Have they taken the body away?” Tory asked.

“What was left of him.”

“Then it was a man?” J.D. asked.

“We’re pretty sure, based on the size and shape of the pelvic bones.”

“Any idea who he was?”

“Not a clue,” Greer answered. “But the lab boys think he’s been here a while. Some medical mumbo jumbo about the condition and density of the bone.”

“How creepy,” Tory groaned. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been near that building in the five years I’ve been working here.”

“That long?” Greer asked, immediately putting down his glass and feeling for his pad and pen.

“Yes, sir,” J.D. heard her answer. “I worked for the previous owner—Mr. Brewster.”

“Didn’t your family use to own this place before Brewster?” J.D. queried.

Tory shot him a quick glance of annoyance, then turned her attention back to the detective. “My father owned this place until about fifteen years ago.”

“Do you know where I can find Brewster?” Greer asked.

“He died,” Tory answered.

“How about your father?”

“I’m afraid you won’t have any luck there, either.”

“He’s deceased?” Greer asked.

J.D. watched as she lowered her eyes.

“He left town.”

“Do you have an address?”

“I haven’t heard from him,” she answered in a small voice.

J.D. felt a small stab of compassion for the woman. He knew all too well what it was like to have a parent suddenly disappear from your life. He placed his hand on her shoulder. She shrugged away from his touch.

“My father left us when I was ten. We never heard from him.”

“Sorry,” Greer mumbled as he flipped the notebook closed. “I guess there’s—”

“Detective?”

An obviously excited man dressed in a wilted uniform rushed into the room. A plastic bag dangled from his dirt-smudged hand.

“What have you got?” Greer asked as he cupped his hand beneath the item in the evidence bag.

“We found this in the soil after they moved the remains.”

J.D. moved closer, as did Tory. The item caught and reflected the light. “A ring,” Greer mumbled.

“Has initials, too,” the officer chimed excitedly.

“R.C.,” Greer read.

J.D. watched the horror fill Tory’s wide eyes. Her mouth opened for a scream that never materialized. She simply went limp, falling right into his outstretched arms. His handsome features grew faint and fuzzy, until she could no longer hold on to his image.