Page 6 of The Lost Bones
“Mack was involved in the investigation,” Nick pointed out.
“Her involvement was flimsy at best!” Austin argued. “There was never even an official investigation into Sophie’s disappearance. For someone to leave her…” He squeezed his eyes shut and took a shuddering breath. “To leave her forMackenzieto find makes no sense.”
“We will obviously discuss this, but right now you need to go to Becky for the identification,” Sully said.
The journey to the morgue in Olympia was eerily quiet. Nick offered to drive, since Austin was in no state to get behind the wheel. Mackenzie watched him in the rear-view mirror, fidgeting with his collar. No one spoke a word. Discomfort hung in the air. By the time they rolled into the parking lot, the rain had stopped.
The grim-looking building was tucked away in an industrial complex downtown, with woods in the back. The morgue was situated in the drafty basement. A stark contrast to the rest of the building, which had been otherwise renovated, the basement had dirty-looking gray limestone floors and yellow tiled walls. Bulbs hung loosely from the ceiling, casting shadows everywhere. Austin walked in a trance in front of Nick. Water dripped from the hem of his raincoat, leaving a wet trail behind.
Mackenzie followed, keeping her distance. As they reached the end of the hallway, Becky emerged from the examination room dressed in a lab coat with a solemn expression on her face. “Detective Kennedy, are you ready?”
He nodded silently, and Becky escorted him inside. At the sound of the door shutting, a harsh, cold feeling swirled inside Mackenzie’s gut. She knew what was coming.
Seconds later, she heard a soft cry. And then a strangled sound.
She pinched her eyes closed, stifling the tingling in her chest. She had heard that sound so many times. The sound of hope being crushed. The sound of permanence. The sound of something tearing away from the soul.
After a few minutes, Becky came out alone. “He needs a few more moments with the body.”
“He’s not allowed…” Nick shook his head.
“My assistant is in there,” Becky reassured him, and then looked at Mackenzie. “There’s something more…”
She led them to her small office stuffed with thick books and framed certificates, where she produced her phone. She hesitated, pursing her lips, then slid it toward them and placed her hands on the table. “This note was found in Sophie’s pocket. I haven’t told Austin yet.”
Mackenzie picked up the phone. Her breath became stuck in her throat.
“Jesus,” Nick whispered.
Mackenzie felt Nick and Becky watching her. But her eyes didn’t leave the screen. Her veins felt hot and scratchy under her skin. Like they were being chafed. On a small piece of paper were the words:
You’re welcome, Mackenzie.
FOUR
By the time Mackenzie returned home, the sky was full of stars, looking like sugar sprinkled over black marble. She climbed out of the cab and paused in the empty driveway. Her car was still at the crime lab. Every inch of it was being scrutinized and inspected to find a hint as to who had put the body of Sophie Fields there. The prickle at the back of her neck had returned. A nagging, stinging feeling like she was being watched. It wasn’t just paranoia, some residual trauma from her past.
She entered her house and turned on the lights. It was around a year ago when she had last felt unsafe in her home. When an enemy in the shadows had been leaving her threats before they revealed themselves, almost killing her. Now the feeling was back. She poured herself a glass of wine, the events of the day playing in her head on a loop.
You’re welcome, Mackenzie.
What the hell was that supposed to mean? The body had been left in her car. Not only did they know where she lived, they also knew that she had been involved in looking for Sophie. But that had been last summer. Almost a year ago. Had someone been watching her since then?
Her heart rattled in her chest. Quickly she picked up the remote and switched on some random movie at loud volume. It was something she had started doing recently. Living alone in a spacious house had become claustrophobic. Even though she didn’t really watch television, having it on made her feel like some activity was happening around her.
Gulping her wine, she opened her laptop and googled herself. She was on the internet now thanks to the documentary. But her address and phone number weren’t available anywhere.
Someone had been following her.
But what did they want? Why did they kill Sophie? Where had she been all this time? There were many questions, but they would get some answers tomorrow morning when Becky completed the autopsy.
Mackenzie curled up on the couch and tried paying attention to the movie. There was a scene playing in which a young woman was sleeping and the door leading to a balcony outside her room was open. Curtains were blowing in the wind. A man in a trench coat and fedora climbed up to the balcony and gently padded inside the bedroom. An ominous tune swelled in the background as he got closer. The woman slept oblivious, lost in sweet dreams. By the time he reached out with his gloved hand to stroke her cheek, Mackenzie had begun dozing off.
But as she fell into a slumber, she felt the hand stroking her cheek instead. She felt that smooth texture of leather. That gentle pressure on her skin. And then she was out.
FIVE
APRIL 12
