Sheriff Lennon holds a poker face. “I’ve brought some heavy news with me. It’s up to you if you want to share it.”
I squeeze Milo’s hand tight. “Milo’s my boyfriend. I want him with me.”
Sheriff Lennon nods. “That’s fine. Take a seat, kids.”
We do as instructed, and Sheriff Lennon takes a chair from the dining table. He places it in front of the sofa and sits. His posture is friendly and welcoming. With Milo’s arm around me, I ease into the tense situation.
“Sheriff,” I stammer. “What’s this about?”
“There’s no easy way to say this,” he admits. “A prisoner in custody started feeling remorse and has admitted to further crimes.” He pauses before revealing more. “Jamie, this man is in prison for violence against women. His worst offense was manslaughter.”
I clutch the space over my heart and gasp. I shiver by Milo and instinctively he briskly rubs my arm.
“With the information this man detailed, we’ve found the unmarked graves of three missing women.” Sheriff Lennon’s face drops, unable to hold his steady expression. “Jamie, I’m so deeply sorry to tell you this. One of the women has been identified as your mother.”
I gasp harder, shooting my hands over my face. I breathe in, sucking my fingers over my nostrils. My heart sledgehammers against my ribs, and my head is ready to cave in.
Milo’s arms wrap around me, and he rests my head under his chin. “Oh, Jamie,” he whispers. “I’m so sorry.”
Tears form in my eyes. Part of me was prepared for this. We’ve said for years that Mom passed away. But this clear, concise ending still riddles me with despair.
Sheriff Lennon leans forward, touching my knee. “My deepest condolences. I’m sure this isn’t the news you were hoping for. I hope, in some way, it gives you closure.” He slips a card out of his pocket. “This is the number of a crisis care hotline. You can call anytime and have a confidential conversation with a trained counselor.”
Milo takes the card for me, thanking Sheriff Lennon.
My mouth hangs ajar as I struggle to process everything I’ve heard. “She was buried?”
“We don’t need to get into specifics,” Sheriff Lennon says gently.
I fling my head back against the sofa. “How do I tell Aunt Maddy about this?”
“How long has your aunt been in Hawaii?” Sheriff Lennon asks. “Are you staying here alone?”
Milo cups my shoulder, keeping me close to him. “She’s staying at my house. She only came here today.”
“Do you want me to drive you over there?” Sheriff Lennon asked. “Do you have any parents at home?”
“My mom and my grandparents will be there.”
“No,” I cry out, covering my face with a hovering hand. “I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here.”
I collapse my head against Milo’s chest, closing my eyes. Finding out this news in this house makes me feel closer to Mom. Her presence lingers, helping me process the devastating information.
“You need someone here,” Milo says softly. “I can call Mom to come here.”
I nod against him, hesitant to move a muscle.
“That’s a good idea,” Sheriff Lennon says. “I don’t like the idea of you kids being alone. Not after hearing about this.”
“Sheriff.” I gulp before asking. “Was this man in prison named Trigger?”
The sheriff gives a knowing look. “No. I remember that name from your mother’s missing person file. We investigated that individual at the time. Hehad nothing to do with your mother’s disappearance. Plus, he’s been living across the country for the past eight years.”
It’s a small win to know the person who took Mom away wasn’t known to us.
Sheriff Lennon excuses himself to take a call, and I agree Milo should call his mom. Mrs. Nelson is organized and practical, and I need her presence around.
Milo kisses the top of my head, and I peel myself off him. He pushes off the couch and pulls his phone from his pocket. I notice the tremor in his hand as he lifts the phone to his ear.
