Mary's Bones

THIRTY-ONE

It was no wonder Margaret Santana's podcast played on the radio. When she said people's reactions might have told a different story than their actions, she wasn't wrong.

It didn't take long for Veronica to shut up. She wiped herself clean of shock and became as quiet as a church mouse all the way to the police station. I'd have said I preferred her that way, but it was honestly unsettling.

Her dark skin had drained of color and a distant gaze was noticeable in her eyes. She refused to cooperate when the police questioned her. The questions had nothing to do with the bones we saw yet she shut down.

I was willing to bet she was hiding something. Maybe even running away from something. Whatever it was, was eating her inside and out. I could see it on her face.

"Here, drink this." John poked my side. My attention was ripped away from his office window and back onto him. There was a cup of peppermint tea in front of my lips, which he pushed closer. "I went out there and made you a cup."

"Thank you." I smiled.

For the past half an hour I'd sat in his office, the blanket wrapped around my shoulders did little to warm me. He must've noticed my chattering teeth behind my closed lips. I slowly removed the cup from his grip and sipped from the edge.

"Is she okay?" I frowned, nodding towards Veronica.

They sat her at one of the desks in the main lobby when we got here. But she remained unresponsive. Every once in a while, she'd shake but that was it. A paramedic had checked on her before they drove us here, and a cop had asked her if there was anyone who could pick her up, but again, she didn't respond.

So, I guess they figured they'd let her warm up for a bit, then try again. I may not have been fond of her, but I'd admit, I was a little worried. A woman with as much mouth as her didn't just shut up without reason.

"She's in shock still," John whispered.

"Wouldn't her shock have worn off by now? She looks completely dead."

John sighed, kneeling in front of my stomach. "An officer is taking care of her. They're keeping an eye on her in case of anything. Are you sure you're not hurting anywhere? I can call someone back in here to check on you again—"

"John, babe," I stopped his rambling, "I'm not in shock. I'm not hurt. I'm fine."

"You weren't traumatized again? Because of what you saw?" His Adam's apple bobbed as he awaited an answer.

I'd seen so many bones none of them traumatized me anymore. I'd almost grown immune to them. But he didn't need to know that. So, I gave him the only response I could think of. A lie.

"Rosemary's a little distressed, I think, but that's it."

"Shit, Rosemary. Is she okay?" His frown deepened. "Is everything still normal? Do you feel any different anywhere? I—"

"John! Look at me." I raised my voice and tugged at his chin. "I'll let you know if something's wrong, okay? Please stop panicking. We're fine."

He let out another sigh, holding his pinky out. He knew how serious I took pinky promises. "You promise?"

"I promise." I nodded, curling my pinky finger around his.

My eyes were trained on his office window again. The bottom of Veronica's pants was damp and dripping wet. They clung her to her legs. She hadn't touched the steaming cup of tea they brought her once.

"You know, she reacted the same way when we told her about her niece," John spoke up.

"Her niece?" I cocked an eyebrow. It was hard to resist prying.