Now, I was annoyed. “Of course it’s not. I’m ready to go back up to the welcome center and wait for the cops.”
With each step back up the tunnel, I became more irritated. When we emerged back into the book room, Mike touched my shoulder. “I assure you, we’ll do everything we can to find out what happened.”
“We” does not include me. I nodded in response. If I said anything, I might say something I would regret. I understood his position, but it still pissed me off.
Soon the place was swarming with police. One guy kicked at a book in the back room, and I marched up to him. “Hey! This is Beatrice’s place. Treat it with some respect.”
The young cop that I hadn’t met before stared at me and began to say something. Mike put his hand on the asshole’s shoulder. “Easy, John. Sydney was with me when we discovered the body. We’re all a little on edge, but let’s be respectful.”
John narrowed his eyes at me, and I met his stare with my hand on my hip, challenging him to do something. “She needs to leave the scene so it’s not contaminated.”
Contaminated? Contaminated! I opened my mouth to give this jerk a piece of my mind when Mike spoke, “I’ll take her out front.”
At Mike’s words, I was consumed with fury. I felt like my body was vibrating I was so pissed off. I said nothing, and we walked out front because I might have contaminated something.
When we were out of earshot from Officer McAsshole, I turned to Mike and poked his chest. I raised my brow. “I might be on edge, but that gives Officer John no excuse to kick Beatrice’s book. And don’t treat me like some stranger who is contaminating the crime scene.”
“What’s going on here? Sydney, are you okay?”
I took a step back at Doug’s voice and turned his way. Before Mike could say a word, I walked up to Doug with a heavy heart. “Doug… I’m—”
John approached us. “She’s pissed I kicked a book.”
I sneered at the asshole. Doug was dealing with the loss of a child, and this man was acting like it meant nothing.
In a loud, booming voice, Doug said, “This goes to everyone here. Treat this place with the upmost respect and dignity. Beatrice is a long-respected member of this community.”
There were mutters of “Yes, sir” as the police kept working.
“Where are Gladys and Beatrice?” I asked.
This was going to b
e hard on Beatrice to find out Vickie had been at her place all this time.
“Peggy, Beatrice, Marie, and Patricia are with Gladys.”
This had to be so hard on Doug and Gladys. My heart broke for them. Without a care about how unprofessional it looked, I hugged Doug. “I’m so sorry about Vickie. So sorry. I can’t believe it. I never lost hope she’d be found. I’m so sorry, Doug.”
I knew sorry had changed nothing when I lost my family, but sometimes that was the only thing someone could say.
“Me, too, punkin pie. Me, too.” His jaw worked hard. “If it is Vickie, I’m letting Roger lead this. I don’t want there to be anything biased on the investigation.”
The image of her skeleton popped into my mind. Vickie had always been such a vibrant person and this was so hard. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Not right now. I know Gladys would appreciate a visit from you tomorrow if you’re able. We’ve always considered you one of ours, too.”
Doug and Gladys were amazing people and I loved them like they were family. “I’ll be by tomorrow.”