The Bone Field Debra Bokur (novels for beginners .txt) 📖

one wearing a pineapple mounted on its shoulders in place of a head. They’d stood in rows, silent and patient, waiting to be named. She’d finally given up on sleep, and had lain on the bed, staring at the ceiling until dawn began to wash across the sky. In the morning, she returned to Maui with Hara and Stitches. There was little conversation; each of them was as tired as the next.

She drove home slowly, stopping first at Elvar and Birta’s house to collect Hilo. She could hear the clank of Elvar’s hammer hitting steel as she made her way along the driveway. She parked and followed a path to the back of the house. Both Birta and Elvar were on the terrace. Birta had apparently been reading a book in one of the long lounge chairs set beneath the shade of the roof overhang, but was now holding it aloft in one hand while struggling to hold Hilo’s collar with the other. She looked up in relief when she saw Kali, and released the dog. Hilo bounded toward Kali, then ran a circle around her, delighted. Elvar stood next to his forge, watching and smiling.

“Thank goodness,” said Birta, sounding slightly ecstatic. “Take this animal home, please. And expect him to be sick. He ate what I think was a mongoose earlier today. It was difficult to tell, as it was mostly rotted.”

“Great,” said Kali, anticipating the likely drama of a moaning Hilo leaving bits of mongoose throughout the house.

Elvar laughed. “She’s exaggerating, Kali. I got to him before he ate any of it. So he’s mad at me, I think. But happy to see you.”

“Well, thank you both. Again.” She sighed. “And dinner’s on me, of course, whenever it suits you.”

“Thank you,” said Elvar, bowing slightly. “It’s not necessary, of course, but we would be happy for your company.”

“Yes,” said Birta darkly, “provided it’s somewhere that won’t allow dogs. It would be nice to enjoy a meal without being stared at the whole time by someone with slobber dripping from their oversized jaw.”

Kali looked down at Hilo, who was gazing at her in absolute adoration. “Where are your manners, Hilo?”

Elvar placed his hammer on the flat surface of his anvil. “He has excellent manners. Birta is just overly sensitive.”

“Yes,” agreed Birta. “Overly sensitive to the possibility that your enormous dog views us as the dessert course.”

Kali turned away, laughing. Hilo pressed his body against her leg. “Well, I appreciate your patience and generosity. Truly.” Her eyes twinkled. “Birta, maybe I should get you a puppy as thanks.”

Birta took a sharp intake of breath.

Elvar watched, hardly containing his grin. “Great idea, Kali! I’ll help you find one, and as soon as Birta’s forgotten, we’ll bring it home as a surprise to her.”

“Oh no you won’t,” snapped Birta. “Absolutely not. I won’t have it. Animals and I . . .” Hilo trotted over to her, nuzzling her arm affectionately, then walked back to stand beside Kali. “Animals and I don’t really get along.”

“Hmmm,” said Kali. “Hilo doesn’t agree. He loves you, Birta. He loves you both. But we’ll get out of your way now. Lots to do.” She made her way back to the driveway, turning to wave, Hilo in tow.

“See you soon,” said Elvar.

By the time she reached the driver’s side of the Jeep, Hilo was already waiting. She opened the door, and he leapt into the passenger seat. She pulled out onto the road, making the next turn into her own driveway, flooded with pleasure to be home. She brought her duffel bag inside, dropping it on the floor next to the sofa. She lay down on the soft cushions and fell asleep almost immediately, wondering how thorough the investigation into Matthew Greene’s disappearance had been, and if Bill Bragden or his wife had really been considered a serious suspect. Certainly there was motive if their only daughter, already ill, was being abused.

After a half hour, she got up and changed into an old tank top and a pair of cutoff leggings, then made her way down to the beach, Hilo racing ahead of her. Gradually, she went from a slow jog to a full run, allowing her mind to wander while her body strained and sweated. She had tasked Hara with searching for anything he could find on Eden’s River, and had left Tomas gathering what information he could from his local contacts while they waited for medical records to be sent from Matthew Greene’s family on the mainland. She felt frustrated, running harder, her shoes digging into the damp sand along the water’s edge. She could feel the muscles in her legs burn, running harder still, until sweat had soaked her clothing and her breathing came in gasps.

She climbed the short coastal path upward, walking slowly toward her house, allowing herself to cool down while her heartbeat returned to normal. The sight that greeted her as she left the trailhead and made her way into her own yard was an unwelcome one. The sun was already moving low toward the horizon, but she could see that the hammock on her front porch was occupied: it hung low with the weight of a visitor, swaying back and forth in a slow, deliberate swing, set in motion by the thin, brown leg stretching from the faded blue fabric of the hammock to the porch floor.

Kali came to a stop, taking a deep breath, willing herself to remain calm. She recognized the leg and the bare foot attached to it. His tail wagging happily, Hilo left her side and made a beeline for the porch. Kali could hear a woman’s voice greeting him. It was Makena Shirai, Mike’s only child.

Kali made her way unenthusiastically across the lawn and up the steps. Makena was scratching Hilo’s back at the base of his spine where his tail began, and he was moaning in pleasure. Kali looked at her visitor, and made an effort to keep her voice level as she spoke.

“Hello, Makena.”