Chapter 24: Undefeated

The same two gardeners came out to the rose bed the next morning with a crowbar and a bucket.

They would not look at me.

They had watched me put Rhett on the grass, and they had seen the news.

The older one cleared his throat. "Miss Thornquist, I'm real sorry. We only set the stone. We didn't know."

"I know you didn't."

"Nobody told us there was nothing under it."

"Nobody told anyone anything for five years," I said. "Dig."

My mother stood at the edge of the roses in her gray coat with her hands knotted in front of her.

Perry stood on my other side.

He had brought a small paper bag.

The white marble gleamed in the early sun, a hand high, with fresh lilies at its foot.

THORA ROSE THORNQUIST.

BELOVED DAUGHTER.

AGE 12.

I had read it so many times in my head that I knew every letter.

The gardeners drove the crowbar under the base and leaned on it.

Roots tore.

The stone rocked, tipped and came out of the earth with a wet sound.

The older gardener carried it to the path and set it down on the gravel.

"The police are coming for the coffin on Monday," I said. "The detective wants it as evidence."

"Yes, miss."

"Leave the hole open. Let him see it."

My mother made a small sound.

She reached into her coat pocket and took out something soft and gray.

It was a stuffed rabbit with one worn ear.

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