Page 11 of The Bone Code

“When it’s finished.”

“You know, one time this little psycho drowned the family puppy. Another time, she set fire to the house. I could go on.” Info added to spur me to quicker action? “Anyway, great stuff, doc. I’m gonna get this asshole prosecutor on the horn right now.”

I didn’t envy the hapless DA whose phone was about to ring.

Despite the gloves, I developed an epic assortment of blisters. At noon, I returned to the annex to treat them.

My mobile lay on the counter, fully charged at last. The little green icon showed one voice message. My best friend, Anne Turnip.

The second call of the day after Thorn’s. This one not the world-tilter, either.

I listened to the directive, delivered with typical Anne melodrama.

“Call me ASAP. Like, now! As soon as you hear this.”

A few words about my BFF.

Anne has emerald eyes and long blond hair, its color now maintained through the magic of chemistry. She is leggy-tall and, despite an aversion to exercise and all forms of sport, has remained as thin as the day we met. A very long time ago.

After downing a somewhat warm peach yogurt, I hit call back.

“Oh, God, Tempe! You’ve got to come!” Anne’s tone made Birdie seem tranquil in comparison.

“Where are you?”

“At the beach house. Now that the weenie boy-cop at the connector finally let me onto the island.” Vowels reflecting her Alabama birth and Mississippi schooling, broadened further by the moment’s indignation. “You wouldn’t believe the Gestapo—”

“How does it look?”

“Devastated! I need help!”

“Take a deep breath.”

Long pause. Then, “Right. You’re absolutely right. I’m sounding eighty-proof bonkers.”

“The house is still standing?”

“Yes.”

“Your roof is still on?”

“Most of it.”

“The roads are open?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have power?”

“Not yet. Jesus, Lord, nothing’s working. The damn commode won’t flush!”

“It’ll flush. The seat just won’t light up. Besides, you have six others.”

“I can’t charge the car. I’m trapped here!”

Sounded similar to my morning. Except for the TOTO toilet and the Tesla.

“Where is TT?” I asked.