Page 58 of Five for Silver

“Left ankle. It was black and cheap.”

Chad glanced at Lucy, who gave a singularnod.

Double shit.

Vincent’s lips curled with the start of asmile. “I cut it off first. Then she was beautiful again.”

“I didn’t know she had a tattoo.” Jamesmumbled. “She never told me.”

“Hardly anyone knew,” Lucy replied. “If ourdad had found out, he would’ve gone crazy.”

James stiffened. His spine pulled taut. “Youknew about it?”

“Yes—”

“You hated Harriet, would do anything to gether in trouble, and you didn’t tell your dad?” James snorted,shaking his head.

“I was looking out for her—”

“She must’ve had something on you to stopyou from telling your dad. What’s worse than getting a tattoo atseventeen? What did she know that kept your silence?”

“You don’t know me. You don’t know mine andHarriet’s relationship.”

“She told me enough.”

“Was that before or after you forced yourhands down her knickers in your police car?”

James shot to his feet. His chair clatteredto the floor behind him. “It’s you that knows nothing!”

“I know you were being inappropriate with mysister,” Lucy snapped back.

“And I know you were a bully to her.”

“Harriet gave out as good as she got. Wewere sisters. Sister’s fight sometimes.”

Chad frowned at the back and forth betweenJames and Lucy.

Vincent exhaled long and slow, then fumbledbeneath his blanket. The door as his back swung open, and the nurserushed to get him.

“Sorry, but the shouting,” Vincent touchedhis ear. “Gives me such a headache.”

“No,” James slapped his hands together tobeg, “Come on, Vincent, please. Just tell us where she is.”

As soon as the door closed, James toweredover Lucy still on her chair.

“You clueless bitch.”

“James,” Chad snapped, getting to hisfeet.

He trudged away, leaving Chad and Lucy alonein the room.

“I’m sorry he—”

“Don’t apologize for his behavior, Chad.Everyone knows he’s got a temper.”

“What he said … about you bullyingHarriet?”

Lucy’s head whipped to him. “Don’t beridiculous. We were sisters. We had petty arguments, nothingbig.”

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