“So what’ll it be with the situation here?” he asked, looking at his watch.
I didn’t much want to see what was in the box, but I couldn’t imagine letting the police take it without looking through it first. What if it was something important?
“I don’t think I’ll pursue investigating. But thank you so much for coming.” I did appreciate the way Steve had rushed over, no questions asked.
He nodded, pushed himself off his car, and turned toward the driver’s door. “Not a problem. Call me if anything else comes up.”
“Before you go, is there any news about the baby?” I asked.
“You’re interviewing me now?” Steve raised an eyebrow as he stood in his open car door. “Seriously?”
“You’re here.” I shrugged. “And you did say I could follow up.”
He shook his head and exhaled. “You don’t give up, do you?”
The old me did not. It was good being reminded of her. Justin was wrong about this story. It was exactly what I needed. “No, I don’t.”
“ME says it’ll be another couple days before we have an official cause of death.”
“Does that mean he’s still having a hard time determining it?”
Steve’s face tightened. “It means it’s going to take another couple days.”
“But it could still be a homicide?”
“It hasn’t been ruled out. All the more reason we need someone to come forward. And that I hope you do write: Someone out there knows who this baby belongs to, and we need to hear from them.”
My phone vibrated with a text. I pulled it out, thinking it was Justin needing further reassurance that Ella and I were okay after my first cryptic text about some anonymous box.
Coffee after drop-off?
Stella. Shit. Did she seriously have to text me with Steve standing right here, staring at me? He’d specifically asked me to contact him if I heard from her. I’d have to say something. I couldn’t lie for her, not that much. I’d just say as little as I could.
“Stella.” I held up my phone. “I guess she’s back.” Why had I made it sound like she was on the run? “Or here. I don’t know that she ever left.”
“Yes, I spoke with Stella late last night,” Steve said. “She claims she doesn’t know where Rose is. Was surprised as anyone to hear that she had disappeared.”
“You don’t sound like you believe her.”
Steve had a hand on the door and one leg in the car. He looked back at me. “Would you?”
RIDGEDALE READER
Print Edition
March 18, 2015
Body of Deceased Female Infant Discovered Near Essex Bridge BY MOLLY SANDERSON
The body of a female infant was discovered early yesterday morning by Ridgedale University Campus Safety in a wooded area near the Essex Bridge. The cause of death and exact age of the infant remain unknown, pending the release of official findings by the medical examiner.
The grim discovery of the baby’s body has come as a shock to many in the community.
“I can’t believe something like this happened here,” said Stephanie Kelsor, a mother of two who has lived in Ridgedale for seven years. “What a tragedy.”
Others saw the situation differently.
“People here like to pretend they’re perfect,” says Patrick Walker, owner of Pat’s Pancakes. “But they’ve got the same problems as anywhere else. They’ve just got more money to cover it up.”
Historically, crime rates in Ridgedale have been very low, with minor property crimes the most common offense. Serious crime is all but nonexistent in town. In the past two decades, there have been only two murders and six reported rapes.
However, these numbers may not reflect all crime that occurs on the university’s campus. While there are federal reporting requirements, offenses involving students will often be handled exclusively as a violation of the university’s disciplinary code.
The Ridgedale Police Department has asked that anyone with information relating to the infant’s identity or cause of death contact them as soon as possible at 888-526-1899.
JENNA
MAY 20, 1994
We hung out after school today in the woods near the Captain’s parents’ house. He got some beers and I was going to say no thanks, so he didn’t think I was some drunk loser, but then I thought if he was drinking, too . . .
He asked me about my parents and told me about his. They sound kind of uptight and whatever, but he said that they would really like me.
Did you hear that? HIS PARENTS WOULD REALLY LIKE ME??!! What guy talks about you meeting his parents unless he’s seriously into you?
He asked me about Tex, too. “That dude would ditch his girlfriend in a second for you,” that’s what the Captain said. And it sounded like they’re not even that good of friends, which is strange, because I thought they were. But who knows? Guys are weird.
I told the Captain the truth: I like Tex as a friend, but just a friend.
And what’s not to like? Tex is always saying how amazing I am because I’m a spitfire instead of a wack job inappropriate nutso, like my parents think. Too crazy, too loud, too wild—my voice, my clothes, my friends, my thoughts. I embarrass them. That’s the bottom line. Always have. Always will.
And so, yeah, I like that Tex gets me and that he’s sweet and nice and tries to watch out for me (even when he’s getting in the way). But he doesn’t DO anything for me (even if I sometimes kind of wish he did). Not in that way, not at all. And you can’t make a fire by pretending there’s a spark.
And you know what the Captain said when I told him that Tex and I are just friends? He said: “Good.” And then he kissed me soft and sweet and slow. And so you know what I did?
Gave him a BJ! Best one of my fucking life.
Sandy