Read Online She's Not There by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith - Free Book Online Page A

“Had to be.”
    Willa dissented. “Nobody’s got any drugs on this island or our Tommy would sniff ’em out.”
    Ernie would have his say. “I heard she brought a suitcase full of drugs from home, so Tommy never had a chance to sniff ’em out when you think about it. She could’ve maybe been so doped up she was hit by a car trying to get back to camp. All spacey, ya know? Car hit her, snapped her backbone. Damaged the nerves so’s her muscles spasmed up.”
    Mick said, “That don’t explain the naked part.”
    â€œSure it does. She goes to this party, goes skinny-dippin’ and, ya know, gets drunk and drugged up—couldn’t find her clothes. No sex crime. Just kids havin’ the wrong kind of fun.” He turned to Jim Lane’s kid. “Ain’t that right?”
    Jim Lane’s kid had a faraway look on his face. He said, “I saw a fox get hit by a car once. He had a fit. He got all twisted up tryin’ to bite off his broke back leg. Maybe Ernie’s right.”
    While they took in the teenager’s words, I couldn’t help thinking that the image he conjured up for us was not all that farfetched. She did look like she’d tried to bite off her own leg. And her arms too.
    I said, “I think I feel like taking a walk. I’m not really hungry, guys.”
    They were appalled at that. Willa jumped up. “Hey, honey, we’re sorry you’re upset. None of us got any appetite this morning. Billy and Mick just picked at their eggs, and they’re a couple of bottomless pits. How about a nice little bowl of oatmeal? Warm your insides. Look at it like a way to feel better, not just eating breakfast.”
    Joe said, “Well, we’re planning to leave shortly. We have to—”
    Together they said, “ Leave? ”
    Consternation was followed by all of them talking at once.
    â€œJoe, now you listen here. Tommy’s going to need your help.”
    Fitzy said, “What am I, chopped liver?”
    They ignored him. “He’s going to have to find out who that day-tripper is out there, sellin’ dangerous drugs to those girls. Because I don’t believe for a minute she brought the drugs from home, not drugs that dangerous.”
    â€œAnd Tommy’ll sure need you too, miss. FBI! Whoa, mama.”
    â€œInvisible chopped liver,” Fitzy said.
    â€œJust stay maybe the week and have a look around. Whatever that girl took, who knows? What if there’s more of it up at the camp? Who’s going to find that out?”
    Even Esther made her opinion known. We all turned to her when she spoke, answered that final question. “Joe,” she said. “That’s his job.”
    Outside, Pal barked, and the constable came in the door.
    Tommy ignored everyone. He went directly to Jake and sat next to him. Then he spoke. “Boy’s ready for his pancakes.”
    Willa dashed to the table and started resetting it. Jake had cleared his napkin and silverware to one edge so he’d have room for his wires. Ernie went back behind the counter. “Comin’ right up, Tommy. Nice and hot.”
    Under the shadow of their island’s authority figure, Billy and Mick went back to their counter stools, Fred to his, Jim Lane’s kid to his table. Willa returned to us. “I’m going to go mix up that oatmeal. I got a box of brown sugar somewhere, plenty of half-and-half—my oatmeal is nice ’n’ creamy because of the half-and-half—and I’ll run into the store, get some raisins.”
    I had to smile at her. “Sounds like cookie dough, not oatmeal.”
    â€œOnly way to eat oatmeal, unless you’re one of those health nuts.”
    â€œI really don’t need the raisins.”
    â€œâ€™Course you do. What about you boys?”
    Joe said, “Sounds good.”
    Fitzy said, “Sounds like something that would make me gag. Ernie can make