The Wrong Bones (Widow's Island #10)(13)

“I might regret it, but no. I feel like he’s more damaged than dangerous. Arresting him would only exacerbate the damaged part. I’ll call social services,” she said quietly. “Hopefully, they can contact the brother and arrange for Chandler to go to him, but who knows if he’s even telling the truth.”

“It could have been him in the cemetery last night.”

“I know,” Tessa agreed. “And his father just came back from Bainbridge Island.”

Logan finished her train of thought. “Which is where Alyssa Collins lived and was kidnapped.”





5


“Thank you.” Frustrated with the response from social services, Tessa set the phone on her blotter. She cast a glance at Chandler, who slumped in a chair on the other side of the very small sheriff’s station. Before she’d called child services, she’d taken his statement and watched him devour a turkey sub in huge, hungry bites.

She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Logan, who perched on the corner of her desk. “The only social worker on Widow’s today is tied up with another case right now, and she doesn’t think she’ll be able to line up a foster home until tomorrow anyway. There aren’t any beds available on Widow’s.”

She’d also told Tessa that Chandler’s family had no previous contact with the agency. Tessa had checked Simon Dooley’s background. His criminal record was clear.

Logan crumpled his brown paper takeout bag. “It’s probably best if Chandler goes to the mainland anyway. I’d like to see some distance between him and his father.”

“You’re probably right,” Tessa agreed. “But we have to look after him tonight, and we still have a case to work.”

Logan tossed his crumpled bag into the trash can like a basketball. “We’ll take him home with us and work out the rest later.”

“I love that you didn’t even hesitate.”

Logan smiled. “We brought him in, so we’re responsible for him. Besides, we don’t have evidence backing up Chandler’s statements, but he seems to be afraid of his father. I’d rather he be with someone who won’t put up with any nonsense from Chandler or his father.”

“Yes,” Tessa said.

Logan checked the time on his watch. “It’s almost dinnertime. Let’s go home and eat an early dinner. Maybe we can talk my sister into hanging out at our house this evening for a couple of hours.”

Tessa nodded. “You go ahead with Chandler. I’ll lock up the station.”

After Logan and the boy left, Tessa pulled Chandler’s fingerprints from the Coke can and sent them to the fingerprint examiner, just in case the boy was hiding something from them. Then she locked up and drove home. After parking next to Logan’s vehicle, she stepped out of her SUV and spotted her sister scattering feed for the chickens. Logan and Chandler were on the outside of the chicken enclosure. Patience left the chicken enclosure and approached them. Stopping, she gave Tessa a quizzical look, then shoved her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. “Hey, Chandler.”

Tessa wasn’t surprised the teens knew each other. They were the same age, and the island was a small community.

“Hey.” Chandler slung his backpack over one shoulder. “Cool. You have chickens.”

“I don’t know how cool they are, but fresh eggs are pretty tasty.” Patience grimaced and turned to Tessa. “Killer Hen is still missing. I hope a fox or hawk didn’t get her.”

“Has Mom noticed?” Tessa asked.

Patience shook her head.

“Good.” Tessa exhaled.

“She’s been less aware the last couple of days.” Patience stared at her rubber shoes.

“I know.” Tessa slung an arm around her sister’s shoulders. There wasn’t anything to say. No words of comfort. The situation was terrible, and they were doing their best. Nothing would change the course of their mother’s illness.

“My money’s on the chicken.” Logan started toward the house. “Come on, Chandler. You can use the shower before dinner.”

Patience fell into step beside Chandler. “We’re having lasagna.”

“We are?” Tessa laughed. “Thanks for making dinner.”

“I transferred it from the freezer to the oven.” Patience lifted a skinny shoulder. “That’s it.”

Tessa shed her boots on the porch and went inside. Her mother was sitting in a chair in the corner, staring at the window, but she showed no sign that she was enjoying the view. Her eyes were vacant. Tessa crossed the room, kissed her mother on the cheek, and said, “Hi, Mom.”

Mom mumbled something incoherent, and Tessa returned to the kitchen. The scents of cooking cheese and pasta hit her nose. Tessa’s stomach rumbled. “That smells amazing.”

Logan escorted Chandler to the hall bath, then returned to the kitchen. “We have some leftover Italian rolls. I’ll make garlic bread.”

Thirty minutes later, they sat down at the table. Mom picked at her food, but Chandler’s appetite made up for her lack of one. After dinner, Mom went directly to bed. Chandler volunteered to help Patience with the dishes. Cate arrived carrying a tray of her grandmother’s cinnamon buns, which she set on the kitchen counter.

Logan gave his sister a peck on the cheek. “How do you feel?”