Read Online Silver's Bones by Midge Bubany - Free Book Online

later.”
    â€œWhat time did you expect her home?”
    â€œPatty told her no later than two in the morning. I lay awake watching the clock, thinking she’d be walking in any minute. When the phone rang at two thirty, I was expecting it to be Silver complaining they weren’t home yet. But it was Jim, asking if we had heard from Silver. They couldn’t find her anywhere. We drove right over and scoured the whole place. Even the bride and groom came to help. An hour later, Ray called 911.”
    â€œWho were her friends at the time?” I asked.
    â€œAubrey Gage and Jenny Olson,” Mrs. Dawson said.
    â€œIs Aubrey a sister to Parker?” I asked.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat were your impressions of Parker?” Troy asked.
    â€œHe was a nice boy to have around—very polite. He’s a doctor at the clinic in town now.”
    Patrice said, “Well, until it’s official, I recommend we keep this quiet or you’ll have the press hounding you.”
    â€œThey already are,” Mr. Dawson said. “They’re sitting at the edge of our driveway.”
    â€œIf they get intrusive, let me know,” Patrice said.
    â€œI have a shotgun,” Mr. Dawson said.
    Oh, boy. I sat forward and said, “Although at times we may share your opinion about the media’s practices, it’s not a good idea to shoot them, Mr. Dawson.”
    â€œYes, we don’t want you to end up in prison,” Patrice chimed in. “With our two new investigators taking a fresh look at this investigation, we hope to close the case soon. Now, unless there’s something else you wanted to discuss, I need to be on my way.”
    â€œHow long will the identification process take?” Ray said.
    â€œI’m not exactly sure. We’re assured by the BCA this case is a priority, so that’s in our favor,” she said.
    Troy was sitting back in his chair with his arms folded. He said stone-faced, “Could be weeks . . . if we’re being completely honest here . . . and I think we owe you that.”
    The couple looked at him grimly. Ray nodded.
    â€œBut . . . we have enough to begin our part of the investigation,” Patrice said.
    Ray Dawson gave another nod and said, “Good.”
    â€œIs there any chance we can follow you home and look through Silver’s things you kept?” Troy asked.
    â€œThat would work. Right, Franny?” Ray asked.
    â€œOf course.”
    Â Â 
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    I rode with Troy to Ray and Franny’s. He was uncharacteristically quiet on the way out, and that was fine by me, because most of time when I was with him, I just wanted him to shut the hell up.
    We followed the Dawsons’ red Town and Country the five miles out to their farm. Up ahead, a TV news crew van was parked at the end of a driveway. As Ray slowed to turn in, two reporters exited their vehicles, attempting to block the road, but Ray barreled right through, causing them to jump aside.
    â€œWhoa,” I said. “Somebody almost bit it there.”
    â€œServes ’em right. I’m gonna talk to them,” Troy said, slamming on the brakes.
    â€œAnd say what?”
    He rolled down his window and said, “Hey! Give the family some privacy, eh? The identification process is a lengthy one. You don’t need to be hounding them.”
    â€œIt’s the Dawson girl, right?” one of the reporters said.
    â€œThe remains have not been identified. You’ll be notified when they are.”
    â€œOf course it’s her. Why else would you be here?” another said.
    Troy snorted, rolled up the window, and drove forward. I shook my head and kept my thoughts to myself.
    The Dawson farm was tidy, and the buildings looked to be recently painted. The Town and Country was parked in front of a garage, and Ray met us at the back door of the large farmhouse. He led us through a mud­room into an updated kitchen and dining area.
    We were asked to wait