Page 42 of Dark Shadows
“Does he have updates on Beverly's case?”
“The blood sample from the bowl we expedited confirms it's Beverly's, but there's a partial second profile mixed in. They're looking for a match.”
“What about the barn victims? Did they find anything there?”
“Jacob said the soil analysis from beneath the buried victim came back. They found distinct mineral traces that only occur in the watershed near the old hiking trails. More importantly, pollen samples in the soil date the burial to early spring, exactly when you reported seeing the body as a kid, so it’s possible the body was moved after you saw it and put back later.”
“I'm shocked you got answers so fast.”
“It helps when you know people and call in favors.” Mason grinned.
“It sounds like you've got everything covered. I didn't need to come at all.”
The bartender returned with two beers, and Mason paid.
“Of course we needed you. This is your town, your people. Your dead guy in the barn? You're the most important part of our investigation.”
“Hardly.” Savanah rolled her eyes. “Judging by the symbol the killer leaves, our suspect pool is basically everyone who's ever opened a history book or been to the cemetery.”
They found a table near the back, close enough to watch everyone in the bar but far enough that conversation wouldn't carry. The bar started filling up as the Friday night crowd trickled in.
“So, you and Tina were close?”
“Best friends since elementary school.” Savanah took a long pull from her beer. “Her house was my second home.”
“Did you guys lose touch?”
Before she could answer, Tina herself appeared at their table. She'd changed since seeing her earlier. Now she wore a sundress that made her look more like the girl Savanah remembered.
“This seat taken?” Without waiting for an answer, she sat. “We need to talk.”
Mason started to stand. “I'll give you two some privacy.”
“Stay,” both women said simultaneously then caught each other's eyes and smiled.
“Look,” Tina began, “I know things ended badly. And I know Mark was horrible to you in school.”
“Horrible is an understatement.”
“He's changed, Savanah. We all have.” Tina's fingers twisted together. “Things happened after you left. Mark's sister got sick. Died once before they resuscitated her. She started seeing and saying things.”
Savanah's breath caught. “Like me?”
Tina nodded. “That's when he realized what an ass he'd been. He wanted to apologize, but you were gone. He knows how much you mean to me. He realized that he wasn't just hurting you; he was hurting me too.”
“I get it.” Savanah took a sip of her beer. “Young love makes you stupid.”
Tina's lips twisted into a smile. “Still the same smartass.”
“Still the same Cinderella, hoping her frog will turn into Prince Charming.”
Tina's eyes softened. “I really have missed you, and I'm mad that you left the way you did without even calling.”
Mason's knee nudged Savanah's under the table, a silent reminder he was there for her.
“You're right. I'm sorry. I should have at least told you I was going. I just couldn't stay anymore. Mom and Richard were arguing more and more about me. I just needed to get out.”
Across the room, Mark stood at the pool tables with a group of guys Savanah vaguely recognized from high school. One of them, red-faced and swaying slightly, kept glancing their way.
