Page 35 of The Bone Code
9
Saturday, October 9–Sunday, October 10
Despite the calming lullaby of the waves, I slept poorly. A million images and worries ricocheted in my brain. Bones. Barrels. Beecrofts. Birdie. What to do about the cat if I followed through with my plan?
At six thirty, I gave up, donned running gear, yanked my hair into a pony, and headed outside. The tide was low, the sun barely cresting the horizon. The sea and shore glistened rosy bronze in the low, angled rays.
The beach was almost empty. Pounding along, I passed a few dog walkers playing fetch with their poodles or boxers. At one point, my right foot nearly came down on a sandpiper probing the sand, its long, spindly legs disappearing into an inverted image of itself.
At the southern tip of IOP, beneath the bridge to Sullivan’s Island, a pod of dolphins executed slow, lazy loops in Breach Inlet. Their skin gleamed silvery gray each time their backs broke the surface.
The quick two-mile jog helped to clear my mind. Leaving my sandy shoes on the deck, I showered, threw on shorts and my favorite UNCC jersey, and descended for a session with the Jura X8, a coffee-brewing extravaganza that may have cost more than my car. Iwas working on Herrin’s report, and my third cup, when my hostess stumbled through the door.
Mornings are not prime time for Anne. Even midmornings.Disheveleddidn’t capture the wild disarray of her hair. Her mascara was a war zone around her eyes.
“You look lovely,” I said.
“Mm,” Anne said.
“I made coffee.”
Anne raised one finger in acknowledgment, then moved toward the miraculous machine. I heard a cabinet open, some rattling, then the toaster.
I was entering one final detail on AF21-986, when Anne joined me at the table. Her toast was coated with something dark and gelatinous that looked like it should never be on toast.
“What is that?”
“Vegemite. Super nutritious.”
“Only if you’re Australian and stranded in the Outback.”
“You should try some. It’s made from veggies.”
“They’re a dangerous breed, mate.”
“What?”
“Never mind. Let me ask you something.”
The black-smudged eyes rolled up to mine.
“I’ve been considering your suggestion.”
“About the Vegemite?”
“About the open case in Montreal.”
She said nothing.
“Would you mind if I left tomorrow? I’d like to head north earlier than planned.”
“You’re no longer needed in Charleston?”
“I’ll check with Vislosky and Herrin. And my boss in Charlotte.”
“I think it’s a splendid idea. Lord knows you’re not doing me any good here.” Smeary L’Oréal wink. “And it will definitely jangle Ryan’s jockeys.”
I gave her an eye roll, then spent the next half hour on the phone.
