Page 88 of The Bone Code
Huger’s chin dipped in acknowledgment of her point. He let out a small sigh. Then, “My parents are both dead. I have no living siblings. No offspring.”
Vislosky said nothing, hoping Huger would keep talking. He did.
“My father was an only child.”
“His name?” Sliding a pen and tablet from her pocket.
“Jordan Sullivan Huger.”
“J. S. Huger?”
Huger nodded.
“There’s a building named for him at the College of Charleston?”
“Daddy made a rather large contribution to the school.” A hint of bitterness leaking through. “Then proceeded to lose everything via ill-advised investments in fast-food franchises.”
“I had a buddy got stung that way.”
Huger said nothing.
“Your mother’s name?”
“Cheryl Leigh Hinkes.” He spelled the names. “She had one brother, Farley. Farley died in Vietnam.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. You said you had no living siblings.” Stated as a question.
“My older brother, Shelby, drowned when he was eight. Just about destroyed my parents. I remember little about him.”
There was a long moment of silence. Vislosky broke it.
“Let’s spread out, Dr. Huger. Grandparents? Second cousins?”
“I’m afraid we’re not a prolific clan, detective. My grandmother—my mama’s mama—had one sister, Zara. She married a man named Eden France. They had one son, Digby.”
“Did Digby have kids?”
“Maybe one daughter. I’m unsure.”
“Her name?”
“I’ve no earthly idea.”
“Where can we find this relative of yours, Digby?”
“I don’t know.”
“Whatdoyou know?”
“I may have met Digby once as a very small child. I think he may have come to Shelby’s funeral. The memory is vague. I recall a large man with whiskey breath and frightening facial hair. According to my mother, who clearly didn’t care for her cousin, Digby was a musician of some sort.”
“Anything else?”
Huger spread his hands, fingers splayed. “I wish I could be more helpful.”
“So do I.”
Huger didn’t reply
