Page 58 of The Lost Bones
“Shit!” she gasped. “I didn’t mean… I’m sure there is…” When he started laughing, she widened her eyes. “Very funny. Hilarious, actually.”
“I had to.”
Clint appeared at the end of the hallway, along with Peterson. “I got something.”
Mackenzie and Nick chucked their cups in the garbage and followed him to his office downstairs.
“The memory card isn’t completely damaged,” Clint told them. “I was concerned because Becky told me that stomach acid can be extremely acidic. She said Debbie must have swallowed the card right before she was killed.”
“Something must be on that card,” Nick said, excited. “Debbie was always a smart one.”
They waited as Clint opened a folder.
“Using data recovery software, I was able to retrieve one file. There are at least twenty more. I will need time and access to proprietary software and then maybe I’ll be able to get more. But I can’t promise anything. Some of the data is definitely lost for good.”
“What kind of file did you get?” Peterson asked.
“Two pictures.” Clint opened them side by side.
It was a piece of land captured from two different angles. Surrounded by tall pine trees cut into conical shapes. There were weeds sprouting out of the ground, but the rest of the foliage had been removed. It was evident that this vast area right in the middle of the woods had been artificially created.
“What’s the significance of this?” Nick frowned. “Was it cleared for construction?”
“I know this area,” Peterson said suddenly.
“Where is it?” Mackenzie asked.
Sweat beaded his nose, making it shine. His eyes bounced between Mackenzie and Nick before he finally answered. “Tombstone.”
THIRTY-ONE
It was the third time Mackenzie had returned to the most wretched place in Lakemore. It was a full-moon night, the silver orb ominous behind floating wisps of clouds. The stain of darkness had almost completely spread over the sky. Mackenzie, Nick, and Peterson walked carrying lanterns.
The deeper she moved into the woods, the more her skin tightened and tingled. She hadn’t expected it to be this eerily quiet. Usually, an owl would hoot, or crickets would chirp. Even leaves would rustle. But it was deadly silent. The only sounds were made by their feet as they padded on the wet soil, following Peterson, who looked around nervously.
Mackenzie felt like she was one of the ghosts that legend said still haunted Tombstone. She was a part of the legend now. A phantom who roamed the woods.
“Here we are,” Peterson announced, pointing ahead. “This is definitely the place.”
“How did you know?” Nick asked.
“When I was a kid, I was foolish enough to come here. Never believed the stories, except I heard a woman wail. I ran like my life depended on it and never returned.”
Mackenzie cast her light around, trying to spot anything of significance in the dark. “I don’t get it. Debbie swallowed the memory stick right before she died. So it must have been important, something that could help us. She was smart enough to know that checking stomach contents is part of the standard autopsy.”
“It’s possible that the other information on the stick is what’s important. The photos are just… random,” Nick said, his voice almost wobbling. “What is it about this damn place?”
Mackenzie didn’t know. But she felt it. They all did. Something both violent and tragic. Like something had reached out of the ground and latched onto their souls. She took in the clearing and was turning around when she caught a glimpse of that same old lady standing in the surrounding woods.
“Ah!” She let out a scream and fell on her ass.
“Mack!” Nick rushed to her. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah… I just tripped.” As she tried to push herself up, she felt something under her hand. In the lantern light, she saw that it was a ring. An old silver ring with black spots from oxidation. But it seemed like it was still attached to something. She tried yanking it free.
“What are you doing?” Nick asked.
“There’s this really old-looking ring here.” She grunted and finally pulled it free. “Fuck.”
