Page 58

“What’s that supposed to mean?” A breeze blew through the yard, a swirl of dark leaves dancing past them, passing around the woman as if she couldn’t be touched.

“Just what I said. I'll give Danielle your regards.” She turned then, leaving them bereft. They listened as the door bolt locked into place.

“If she wasn’t on my suspect list before, she is now,” Vera said beneath her breath and then retreated from the lawn.

Teddi trailed behind, head swirling. She tried to recall what she’d read about the ouroboros. It was an ancient symbol of self-cannibalism while some regarded it as a symbol of rebirth. A constant cycle of death and life transcending cultures or time.

Pulling at the band to free her hair from its braid, she huffed, glancing back at the home once more. Every curtain was in place, every peek behind the glass windows closed to them. What a woman like Elaine Malis imagined what the ouroboros meant for herself and her town, she couldn't say.

Heading down the footpath, they turned around the bushes that towered at least ten feet high. Vera’s gaze was on the sidewalk in front of her, her head shaking softly. Teddi was far enough behind to predict the collision before she could stop it.

“Oof.” The girl hit the ground with her backpack cushioning the brunt of her fall.

“Oh god, I’m sorry.” Reaching for her hand, Vera looked her up and down, checking for injuries. She was dressed in dark leggings with her boots coming up to her knees. A puffy coat and a beanie covered unruly chestnut hair. She looked ready for winter.

A bright laugh erupted from her, her small hand landing inside Vera’s to help her stand.

“No, it’s my fault I never look where I’m going.” Brushing off the leaves from her legs, she gave them both the kindest smile they’d seen since arriving. “Sorry, I have no idea who you are and I know everyone.”

“I’m Vera and this is Teddi. We're just visiting.” Teddi smiled and shook her hand.

A huff of a laugh from the girl came out in a soft white puff. With the broad nose and the straight brows, she was a carbon copy of Mrs. Maller.

“Then I’m assuming you’re turning right around and leaving since we’ve got nothing but endless woods and shitty diner food.” Her dark eyes twinkled as she adjusted her backpack.

Teddi chuckled, instantly liking the girl. “We were just talking to Mrs. Maller about some recent events in town.” The girl stiffened, her easy smile dipping.

“That’s my mom. What did you want to talk to her about?” Vera glanced at Teddi, receiving a small shrug in return. There was little to lose.

“We were asking about her husband’s passing. Your dad, I presume?”

She tipped her chin. “Yeah, I’m Daisy.”

“I’m sorry for your loss, Daisy. Truly.”

“Thanks.” Her voice went soft. “No one talks about it, not even to say things like that.”

“People don’t usually know what to say about death, it ties their tongues up sometimes,” Teddi said, feeling deep compassion for the girl just like every other victim’s family she met. For anyone suffering at the hands of great pain and loss, Sylen and its strangeness were no exception.

“No, people in Sylen just don’t talk about much of anything. That’s why we’re all stuck here.” Daisy snorted.

“What do you mean?” She looked old enough to be nearing graduation and the town wasn’t big enough to have a university if that’s what she was planning for her future.

Daisy peered at the wall of bushes guarding her home. “Just small towns, y’know?” Her hand rubbed down the backpack strap.

The census record confirmed how few families moved in or out. The number was exactly zero. The same family names repeated over and over again through the decades.

“Why’re you asking about my Dad? Is my mom in trouble or something?”

“No, nothing like that. We’re looking into another death that happened more recently. Did you hear anything about it?”

“You mean Mr. Grennan?”

“No. A body was found a bit ago in the woods. You didn’t hear anything about that? Not even gossip at school or something in passing?” Vera asked.

She shook her head, curls swinging with the movement. “No, I didn’t know that. What happened?” Her voice took on that soft quality again that made Teddi’s heartache.

“The man that was found was someone we knew personally. I’m a private investigator and Vera is an FBI agent. We’re trying to figure out what happened and we thought that maybe it was connected to your dad and Mr. Grennan.”