One Grave Too Many

by Beverly Connor

  She followed a nurse into the examining room, where another nurse asked her to remove her shirt. There were broken blood vessels, welts and bruises in perhaps a dozen places she could see.

  “You were attacked?” The nurse listened to her heart and took her blood pressure.

  “Yes. Hit in the stomach and kicked in the ribs and the back. That’s all I remember right now.”

  “Um-hmm. Somebody worked you over good. What kind of pain are you in?”

  “I hurt pretty bad.”

  “We need to get some X rays for the doctor, and the police will want to talk to you. You can put your shirt back on right now.”

  “Okay.” Diane started to put her shirt back on. Her locket was missing. “My locket, it’s gone. I’ve got to go look for it.”

  “The police will take care of that.”

  “No, you don’t understand. My daughter gave it to me. It was a surprise. She worked sweeping out the schoolroom when I was away and got the nuns to order it for her. She picked it out from a catalog.” Diane started crying.

  “She was only six years old. I have to find it. You don’t understand, she . . . she died, and she gave it to me.” Out of context, she knew her story didn’t make much sense, but she couldn’t find the words to explain it any better. The woman probably thought she was crazy.

  “I’m sure the police will find it.” The nurse’s voice was calm and soothing.

  She must deal with hysterical people in the emergency room all the time, Diane thought.

  After almost an hour and a half, she was taken to be x-rayed; she waited another half hour to see the doctor. The doctor on call told her nothing was broken but he was concerned about her right kidney. He thought it was only bruised, but would like to keep her overnight.

  “Fine,” Diane told him, and after another hour she was taken to a private room. Coincidentally, on the same floor as Star. All during that time, no policeman showed up.

  The floor nurse gave her one of the nightgowns with no back, and as she removed her bra, the locket fell to the floor. She snatched it up and cried. The fastener was broken, but it could be fixed. When she got in bed she put it under her pillow in the small case that held her driver’s license.

  In about an hour, another nurse came in to take her blood pressure. It was Loraine Washington, the nurse who had helped Star.

  “Didn’t I just see you in here visiting a while ago?”

  Diane explained what had happened.

  “Right after you left here? That’s terrible. Right at your own front door?”

  “Thanks for taking good care of Star. A lot of people are pretty down on her right now.”

  “I always say a person is innocent until proven guilty, and if they do turn out to be proven guilty, then how you treated them is about the kind of person you are, not the kind of person they are.”

  “Those are nice sentiments. Can I quote you?”

  “Certainly.” She handed Diane a couple of pills and a glass of water. “These will help with the pain and help you sleep.”

  Diane swallowed the pills and lay back on the pillows. “I could use a good night’s sleep.”

  She expected nightmares, but as far as she remembered, she didn’t even dream. She woke up in the morning almost too sore to move, but she managed to make it to the bathroom. She took a quick shower but had to put back on yesterday’s underwear. If she’d been thinking, she’d have grabbed a change of clothes while she was at her apartment. But they’d probably release her today.

  Breakfast arrived while she was showering. Cereal, eggs, toast, orange juice and coffee. She ate the cereal and drank the juice. As she finished, a policeman, Izzy Wallace, arrived with his partner. He walked in the door looking sheepish.

  “I wanted to apologize, Dr. Fallon, for the misunderstanding. Frank told me . . . well, about your experience. We’re sorry too, we didn’t get here last evening. A lot of things going on in town last night.”

  Diane felt too sore to argue with anyone at the moment. She merely nodded.

  “Can you tell us what happened?”

  Diane explained about the attack, and no, she didn’t see a face, but he was male. Why? Because she saw him running and it was a male and he was strong. “He was around six feet tall,” she said.

  “How do you know that?” asked Izzy’s partner.

  “He was taller than me. He ran past the cars. I could tell where the top of the cars came to on him.”

  “Did you hear his voice?”

  “No, he didn’t say a word. He did make sounds when I kicked him, pulled his finger back and bit him, but nothing I’d recognize.”

  “How about smells? Did you notice anything distinctive?”

  Diane thought for a moment. “No. No, I didn’t.”

  “You say he took your purse?”

  “I assume so. It was gone.”

  “What was in it?”

  “My checkbook, keys, about twenty-five dollars, lipstick, a notepad.”

  “Credit card, driver’s license?” prompted Izzy.

  “I carry them separately in a pocket. A habit I picked up from traveling.”

  “A wise thing to do. We’ll probably find your purse dumped somewhere and empty. I doubt we’ll find the guy. Just nothing to go on.”

  “What if it wasn’t a mugging? What if it was connected to the bones?”

  “Bones? Oh, the bones. You think it might be?”

  “I don’t know. It’s a possibility.”

  “Has anyone threatened you?”

  “You mean, besides the mayor? No.”

  Both Izzy and his partner looked sheepish again.

  “Or it could be related to the break-in at the museum. Have you found any leads there?”

  “No. That’s a dead end right now. Since nothing was taken . . .” He let the sentence trail off. Diane knew they weren’t following up, but she couldn’t resist making him feel uncomfortable.

  “We’ll do what we can,” he said. “I’m supposed to be going off duty, but I’ll go over to your apartment house and look around. Maybe he dropped something or somebody saw something.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  “Be a good idea if you have your locks changed,” he said.

  After they left, a doctor, a gray-haired, athletic man who looked to be in his early sixties, came in.

  “Dr. Fallon, I’m sorry to see you under these conditions.”

  Diane recognized him as one of the contributors to the museum.

  “Dr. Renner, isn’t it? You were at the museum contributors’ party.”

  “Yes, I was there with my wife, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We can’t wait until it opens to the public so we can take our grandchildren. This town needs a place like that. I understand there will be a restaurant too.”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s just grand.” He looked at her chart a moment. “I see things went well last night. That’s good. You have some bruised ribs and a bruised kidney. It’s not serious. Some bed rest and control of your fluids will take care of it. I’m going to prescribe some pills for your pain.” He gave her a packet of papers. “We’ve discovered it’s better to give out a sheet listing what we want the patient to do, as well as tell them. Just follow the instructions.”

  “Thank you. Does this mean I can go home?”

  “Surely. But I’m serious when I say rest. And don’t get dehydrated. Don’t overdo the fluids either. I’ll be looking forward to the museum’s opening, and I want to see you in tip-top shape. When will that be, by the way?”

  “In just a couple of weeks.”

  “That’s great. You’ll probably be seeing a lot of me. Take care of yourself, and if you have any problems—blood in your urine, pain that the pills can’t take care of, nausea, headaches—call me. My number’s on the card in your packet.”

  “Thanks for your help. Oh, Dr. Renner. I have a question. It’s related to something else. Is it very common for children to be vegetarians?”

  “More
common than I like to see. Growing children need a balanced diet, and you have to be a good vegetarian to be a successful one. It’s not a matter of eating only vegetables. Of course, some children are allergic to various foods and sometimes have to stay away from meats. True food allergies aren’t that common. What many people call allergies are really sensitivities. However, some children—and adults—are allergic to cow products, for instance. That includes beef.”

  “Allergies.” She hadn’t thought of that. That could be another thing that might help identify the remains. Perhaps her bones had a food allergy.

  “Thanks, Doctor. Please let me know when you’re coming to the museum and I’ll give you and your family a tour.”

  “I’ll do that. Maybe we can see some of the areas where you put things together.”

  “You would probably enjoy the conservation lab. I’ll be sure you get to see it.”

  When he left, Diane got dressed, wishing again she had clean clothes. While she waited for the nurse with her discharge papers, she walked down the hall to Star’s room. She wasn’t the only visitor. Crystal was there with her husband, Gil.

  Chapter 28

  “Guard,” Star yelled. “Get them out of here.”

  But the guard was not on duty. Diane walked into the room. Crystal stood by Star with a sheaf of papers, trying to force a pen into Star’s hand.

  “You’d better leave,” said Diane. “If you don’t, you’ll be in more trouble than you want.”

  “Well, if it isn’t Frankie’s bone woman. Heard about you on television digging in ol’ Abercrombie’s carcass pile. Just what do you think you’re doing here?”

  “Running you out of Star’s room.”

  “This is my—granddaughter.” She almost choked on the word.

  “She’s trying to get me to sign over Mom and Dad’s property,” said Star.

  “I am not. This is just something to let me keep her money safe so the lawyers won’t get it all. I explained that to her.”

  “Even if you could coerce her into signing, it wouldn’t be legal. She’s a minor.”

  “Not no more. They’re going to try her as an adult.” Crystal nodded her head with emphasis.

  “That’s not a shortcut to majority. You’re attempting to coerce a minor. Now get out of here before her guardian comes and throws you out.”

  “I have more right to be here than you.”

  “You have absolutely no right to be here at all.” Frank stood in the doorway glaring at the McFarlands.

  As Crystal turned to Frank, Diane saw a phrase on one of the pages Crystal held. Diane snatched the papers from her hand without thinking.

  “Why, you damn bitch! What do you think you’re doing? Give those back.”

  Diane darted past her and made it to Frank, avoiding both Crystal and Gil grabbing at her. “This isn’t just to sign over property, this second page is a confession.”

  Star screeched. “You fucking sorry bitch. Take your boy toy and get the hell out of here.”

  The guard, an older heavyset man, rushed into the room. “What’s going on in here? Who are all you people?”

  “These two slipped in here and were trying to force Miss Boone to sign a confession,” said Frank, showing the new guard his badge. “I’m Miss Boone’s guardian.”

  “We’re just visiting our granddaughter.”

  “She’s not my grandmother. She’s just an old whore who can’t get anybody to fuck her except some no-butt moron.”

  “Star,” said Frank. “That’s enough.”

  “It’s true. Look at him. He’s so skinny he looks like somebody sliced off his butt. He can’t even fill out a pair of tight jeans.”

  “That’s enough,” Frank said again.

  “You’re going to fry, little girl, you’re going to fry, fry, fry. . . .” sang Gil McFarland, screwing up his face and bending his lanky frame in her direction.

  “All right, you’re out of here.” Frank took Gil by the arm and propelled him out the door. “You too, Crystal.”

  “You’ve not heard the last of this,” Crystal spat out, marching out of the room, joining her husband.

  “We can hope,” Star yelled after her.

  The guard stood for a moment as if waiting for someone to tell him what to do. “I just got here an hour ago,” he said. “They must have been watching for me to take a break.”

  “I’m sure,” said Frank.

  The guard took up his post at the door and Frank turned to Star. “What did I tell you about that mouth?”

  “They started it. Crystal’s mouth’s worse than mine.”

  “One of the nurses said something very wise to me about behaving according to your own principles and not someone else’s. Think about the kind of person you want to be when you open your mouth,” said Diane.

  “You’re not my mother.”

  “Star!” said Frank. “Diane’s gone to a lot of trouble on your behalf. You can treat her with some respect.”

  The way Star sat back on her pillows, her lips in a pout, hair mussed, and tied to the bed, she looked like she should be expecting an exorcist to arrive any minute.

  “Don’t you get it? Nothing’s going to do any good. Nothing. If I go to prison, at least I’ll have a place to live.”

  “Star, you have a place to live.”

  “Where? In that house by myself? I never want to set foot in it.”

  “With me—and Kevin when he’s with me. You have a home. When this is over, you’re going back to school and graduate and you can decide if you’d like to go to college. I’m going to get your life back for you. I need your cooperation.”

  Star stared at him for a long time. “You mean you’d let me live with you?”

  “Of course. We’ve known each other for a long time. Your father was my best friend. You’re like my niece—my daughter. Now, can you calm down a little?”

  “Did you see his face when I called him a no-butt moron?”

  “Star.”

  “Oka-ay.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’d feel better if I weren’t tied to the bed. I’d like to get up and walk around. I get dizzy every time I get up.”

  “I’ve talked to the detectives in charge, and they consider you a flight risk. I’m sorry. I know it’s not fair.”

  “Did you tell them my arms are much too tired to attempt flight?”

  “Didn’t think of that. Star, when you’re feeling better, I want to talk to you about getting counseling, and getting off drugs.”

  “I don’t do drugs.” Frank looked at her. “I don’t. I smoke marijuana sometimes, that’s all.”

  “Marijuana’s a drug.”

  “No, it’s not, not like cocaine or ecstasy. It’s just a smoke. Did you know they used to call marijuana Mary Jane? I learned that in school.”

  “It destroys your brain cells. Did they teach you that?”

  “We’ll just have to agree to disagree.”

  “We’ll just have to stop smoking.”

  The nurse came in holding some papers. “They said you’d come down to visit Miss Boone,” she said to Diane. “I have your release papers. If you come with me, I’ll get a wheelchair and you can go home. Do you have someone to drive you?”

  “I have my car here,” she said.

  Both Frank and Star stared at Diane.

  “What’s she talking about?” asked Frank.

  “I stayed in the hospital last night. Someone mugged me outside my apartment. I’m fine, just a few bruises.”

  “Why didn’t you call me? Are you all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I’m going home right now. I’ve got to call Jonas and tell him I’ll be late.”

  “You’ll be staying home and resting,” said the nurse. “That’s what the doctor ordered.”

  “I’ll drive you home,” said Frank.

  “No. I’m fine, really. Stay here with Star. I’ll talk to you later.” Diane started to follow the nurse out.

  “I’ll co
me by your apartment in a few minutes,” said Frank.

  When she was almost out the door, Diane thought she heard Star say she was sorry.

  Diane managed to get home, but the steps up to her apartment were uncomfortable and she longed for an elevator. Inside, she locked and chained the door, took a pain pill, changed clothes and made herself comfortable on the sofa. She looked up Jonas’ home phone number and dialed. After several rings, the answering machine picked up. She hung up without leaving a message. Next she dialed his cell phone.

  “Briggs, here.”

  “Jonas, this is Diane. I’m going to be late getting to the site today, so you’re in charge.”

  “That’s fine. We’re getting started now. You sound a little weak. Are you feeling all right?”

  Diane went into the explanation of what happened to her last evening, trying her best to downplay the event.

  “Are you sure you need to come out at all? Shouldn’t you just stay home and rest?”

  “I’m OK, really. A few bruises here and there.”

  “If they kept you all night at the hospital, you got more than a few bruises.”

  “The bruises were on a kidney. But it’s fine.”

  “Oh, is that all? A major organ. I think that calls for bed rest. We can manage. We have your excavation plan and we’re all experienced.”

  “I know you are. How did things go last night at the Abercrombies’? No one came after you with a knife in your sleep, I hope.”

  “What? No. Were they supposed to?” Diane laughed and it hurt. “They were great. Hospitable folk. Mrs. Abercrombie makes a great pot roast and pecan pie. Luther’s pretty indignant that someone’s dumped a body on his land, but his wife enjoys the excitement.”

  “I’ll be by my phone if you need anything,” she said.

  “Does that mean you’re going to stay home and rest?”

  “For the morning, anyway. Then I’ll see.”

  After talking to Jonas, Diane called Andie at the museum and had to tell the whole story over again.

  “You’re kidding? Why didn’t you call me? I’d have come down to the hospital. I’ll bet you didn’t have any pajamas and had to wear that awful gown with the back out.”

  “That’s true, I could have used a nightgown, but I slept all night and was released this morning, so I didn’t need much in the way of clothes.”