Fear Thy Neighbor (32)
Ali wanted to return to the beach but decided against it, as she did not want to encounter Dr. Bruce or Deputy Sanders. She pulled in front of her rented cottage, heading inside and wishing she’d asked Renée for her cell number. Then she remembered the Souvenir Shop would have a phone. She again called directory assistance for the number. A follow-up text let her know the address, too. Modern marvels—how had she managed to go without them for so long?
Dialing the number to the store, she realized it was Sunday and was unsure if they were open.
Valentina picked up. “Hello,” she said in a cheery voice, “Souvenir Shop.”
“This is Alison—Ali. I hope I’m not bothering you. I wasn’t sure if you were open,” she said, feeling foolish all of a sudden. There was no reason for her to call, and if she asked for Renée’s number, her mother would think her immature.
“We’re always open on weekends, even in the summer,” Valentina said. “I hear the police are at the beach house. Are you still planning on purchasing the place?”
“I think it’s too good an offer to pass up, so yes, I’m meeting the sales agent in the morning to complete the paperwork. Is there some history I should know about the house? When I told Renée I might buy the place, she clammed up.” She didn’t tell her what Lacey said, though Ali felt sure Valentina already knew this.
“Just about everyone here on the island knows about the little girl’s remains they discovered. It’s been a few years. I honestly haven’t thought about it in a while. No one ever came forward when they were found. Poor girl was left in the morgue.”
Knowing it might be out of line, but doing it anyway, Ali asked, “When I mentioned I was going to buy the place, you didn’t think to tell me?” She doubted Valentina would outright lie to her, but wouldn’t someone with her gift share their knowledge of this tragedy?
“Actually, I did. I didn’t want to scare you off. As I told you, it’s a great deal, and I saw no reason to share the story, knowing you’d find out on your own.”
Ali thought that made sense . . . but still. “How did they know the bones belonged to a young girl?”
“If memory serves me correctly, they found a little dress, shoes, and a bracelet. The bones were analyzed in Tampa, and the DNA was sent to a missing children’s website where they keep records of unsolved cases. No one has claimed her remains, so it’s still a mystery. No one reported a missing child,” Valentina explained. “At the time, Renée was young, so I tried to keep her away from the news. I didn’t want her to be afraid.”
“I can understand that, though I’d be more worried since they haven’t found the person or persons who did this. It’s odd that I dug up that bone. Don’t you agree?”
“It’s very odd,” Valentina agreed. “Not the best impression of our little slice of paradise. After a while, you just forget the bad things, and do your best to live in the moment.”
“I understand.” Ali got the feeling Valentina did not want to discuss what happened. She’d forget about it, too. For now. But Ali had a hard time letting sleeping dogs lie. Wanting to ask more questions about the little girl, she held back. She would search the local records, but another time. Beyond curious, she didn’t want anyone, especially Valentina, to know of her intense interest in the girl’s remains, so she changed the subject. “I wanted to thank Renée for offering to help clear out the drive this morning. And apologize, as I was a bit harsh when I told her to leave.”
“I’m glad you did, and she is, too. I wouldn’t want her to see what you found, so thanks.”
Not the response she expected, but it rang true. No mother in her right mind wants her child to see the horrors of the world. They would soon enough.
“You’re welcome,” Ali said. “Does she know what was found?” She had to ask.
“Around here, news like this spreads quickly, so yes, she does, but I’m not allowing her near the beach until the authorities clear out.”
“Do you have an idea how long they’ll be there?” Ali wanted them out now but knew that wasn’t being realistic.
“I wish I did,” Valentina told her. “They aren’t the brightest bunch, other than Dr. Bruce, who is so full of himself it’s hard to imagine him focusing on his job. He spends most of his time checking himself out in a mirror.”
Ali wondered if Valentina and Dr. Bruce had been involved at some point. Not her business; if Valentina wanted her to know, she would tell her. “Deputy Sanders is an ass. I found that out real quick. He practically accused me of a crime.”
“I’m sorry. He gives all law enforcement a bad name. His uncle is the sheriff in Palm County, and honestly, that’s the only reason he has his job. No one on the island likes him, at least that’s been my impression. As I told you, most of them are crooked in one way or another.”
“I think Sanders is for sure, and the doctor, he is a strange one,” she said, not wanting to give Valentina the idea she liked to gossip.
“Listen, I was about to run to the house to make lunch for myself and Renée. Why don’t you join us?”
Alison had never been invited to anyone’s home for lunch. New life, new choices, she reminded herself. “Sure, that would be great. Can I bring anything?”