Page 63 of The Lost Bones

Did he still use a bathrobe instead of a towel?

Did he still not care about pairing his socks correctly?

“Who made the 911 call?” she asked Nick.

“According to the first responders, it was someone by the name Ivy Pierce. She’s outside.”

She could feel him watching her expression closely, and sighed. “I don’t care, Nick. I left him a year ago.”

“I know, I know.” Nick shoved his hands in his pockets. “You shouldn’t care. Guy was a cheater.”

“Sometimes I think you hate him more than I do.”

“Sometimes I think you don’t hate him at all.”

“All right. Let’s talk to Ivy Pierce.” Mackenzie automatically ran a hand through her hair and tightened her ponytail, making Nick chuckle. “It’s vanity. Sue me.”

Outside Sterling’s apartment, they found a meek woman with dark wavy hair containing blonde highlights, wearing a summer dress and carrying a large tote bag. She had big eyes and a giant nose.

Mackenzie couldn’t help but draw comparisons. This was the first woman Sterling had actuallydatedsince their divorce. The first woman he must have seen potential in. The first woman he liked enough to make him decide to move on from Mackenzie.

“Ms. Pierce?” Nick made the introductions.

Ivy’s eyes widened. “Oh,you’reMackenzie. Of course you are!”

She had an Australian accent and very large teeth. When she smiled, her gums were visible. But it was endearing. A kind of radiance that was natural.

“Sorry, I’m not a stalker.” She blushed. “I watched the documentary and… well, you’re famous here.”

“Right. So how did you realize that Sterling was missing?” Mackenzie asked.

Ivy tightened her hold around her bag. “I came by because we’d decided to get breakfast together before work. But when I arrived, the door was open. He didn’t answer his cell and then the apartment was empty. I called his work, but they said he wasn’t there yet. I went down to parking and confirmed his car was still there. I waited for twenty minutes, thinking maybe he’d show up… but he didn’t.” Tears misted her eyes. “What happened? It’s not like him to disappear like this, is it?”

“It’s not,” Mackenzie answered abruptly, and then bit her tongue. “When was the last time you talked to him?”

“Last night, over the phone. That’s when he told me to come by. He sounded totally normal.”

One of the uniforms called to Mackenzie and Nick. “I think we found something.”

Ivy tried hurrying after them, but Mackenzie instructed her to stay put. They followed the deputy to the refuse room. Outside, a garbage bag was on the ground with half of its contents spilled. “We canvassed the neighbors on this floor. None of them recognize this bag, and they didn’t hear anything.”

Nick leaned down, examining the contents. “Could it be Sterling’s? How will we know?”

“It’s his,” Mackenzie said, her throat dry.

“How do you know?”

“That’s the milk he buys.” She pointed at the contents. “Those socks with holes in were a gift from me. And… that’s the condom brand he uses.”

“Damn it,” he muttered. “So someone got to him when he was putting out the trash.” He stood up and looked at a metal door to one side. “What’s that?”

The deputy pushed it open. Beyond was a concrete hallway that led to the docking area.

“Looks like that’s how they got in, since there’s no way to enter the building without being buzzed,” Nick said.

“Then how did Ivy get in?” Mackenzie asked.

“She has a fob.” He shrugged, and then his eyes snapped to her.