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“I repeat, what does that mean?”
“When your father disappeared, we all jumped in to make sure you’d be okay, right?”
“Yes.”
“When I set out to find your mother’s sister yesterday, I went into it with an anger I shouldn’t have had but also couldn’t deny. I mean, I did reach out to her all those years ago and heard nothing, so what the hell? A relative nearby and a minor was left on her own?”
“Many people offered me a place to live. You were one. There are good people around here.”
“Anyway, that’s what I thought back then. Yesterday, I found her house, but when I knocked on the door, a nurse answered. At least that’s what he told me he was. I verified all of what I’m going to tell you, but your aunt isn’t well, hasn’t been for a long time.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“She has mental health issues, but the nurse didn’t feel like I had the right to know the details. He wasn’t wrong, but I met Susan, and she’s in no shape now to care for anyone, including herself. The nurse said she’s gotten worse over the years but hasn’t been well for her entire life.”
“That’s sad.”
“It is, and I suspect your father just wanted to keep you safe from having to deal with that, maybe feel like you had to take care of her.”
“That bad?”
“I think so. Sometimes.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” I paused. “She’s at home? Not in a hospital?”
“She’s living in a home, and she claimed not to remember anything at all, including helping Wilmot with any classes.” He looked at me expectantly.
“What are you not telling me?”
“This is going to be a bitter pill to swallow.”
“I’m familiar with that flavor.”
“Her care is being paid for by money from your mother’s estate.”
“My mother had money? This is news to me.”
“I thought it might be, and I’m sorry to be the one to break the news to you, but, yes, your mother had some money and the funds needed to take care of your aunt are from that reserve. The money Wilmot left behind for you probably came from your mother’s money too, but I’ve never looked into it.”
“Well, then it might have been my aunt’s too. I mean—”
“Probably. However, I’ve asked an attorney to do some digging.”
“Why?”
“Because, when your aunt passes, I think you should be the recipient of anything that’s left.”
“Calloway … I don’t want her money. Call off your attorney.”
“Hazel, you don’t have to be involved at all, but I’m doing this as a part of my investigation, so you don’t get to tell me to give it up.”
“That’s silly.”
“No, it isn’t.” Calloway rubbed his finger under his nose. “My investigation is legitimate, and I think that something in your past—your father or even mother or Susan—have something to do with the skeleton sculptures out there. Maybe the money doesn’t tie into the crimes, but I’m going to get to the bottom of everything.”
I looked at the box. Would the contents change anything?
Calloway said, “I can’t find Danielle Harold or Johnny Clark anywhere. Do you know anything about them?”
