Janet wished she could escape from the news, from Dove Point. From everything.
The days waiting for the DNA results to come back from the state crime lab were agony-and they were made worse because everyone in town and throughout the region knew about the arrest of a man who might be Justin Manning. Detective Stynes had released his mug shot to the news media and held a press conference on a Friday morning, explaining the developments in the case. Not only did he speak about the arrest of the man claiming to be Justin Manning, but he also revealed that a DNA test was under way to determine the identity of the body in Justin’s grave. He said that the family had decided to relocate Justin’s body to the plot next to his mother, not mentioning the anonymous donor.
Janet chose not to attend the press conference. Stynes placed no pressure on her to be there, and rather than subject herself to questions and photographs, she stayed away and read a story about it-written by none other than Kate Grossman-on the Internet.
But staying away from the press conference didn’t matter. In the days after the story went public, reporters began to call the Manning house several times a day. Kate Grossman sent Janet a bouquet of flowers and a request for an interview. Janet crumpled the note and threw it away. Then Janet came in to work three days after the press conference to find Madeline waiting for her with a piece of paper in her hand. An Internet news service had picked up the story. But they didn’t place it under national news or crime news. They filed it under “News of the Weird.”
“Jesus, Madeline.”
“I know. It’s awful.”
“They’re making this look like it’s some kind of sideshow,” Janet said. “My life-my family-has become a sideshow.”
“I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have shown you that.”
Janet sat in her desk chair, her shoulders slumped. She felt tired more than anything else. She hadn’t been able to sleep in anticipation of the test results. And just being at home meant a ringing phone-and Janet answered every call, thinking it might be news from Detective Stynes when in reality the calls were only media requests or the occasional crank caller.
“No, it’s good that you did,” Janet said. “I should be prepared for more calls.” Janet looked at the piece of paper again. “People in offices all over America are going to be sending this story to each other. They’re going to say, ‘Hey, look at this crazy shit.’ ”
“On the bright side, at least the word will get out.”
Janet wanted to laugh at Madeline’s insane attempt to see the silver lining, but she didn’t have the energy.
“Why don’t you take some personal time?” Madeline said. “Hell, you and Ashleigh could take a drive somewhere.”
“Where? Everybody has seen the story.”
“Oh, they don’t know who you are. When’s the last time you took a day off? By the time you come back-”
“Thanks, Madeline. But I wouldn’t be able to think about anything else. I might as well stay here and try to live a normal life. Not that that’s possible.” Janet stood up. “I just wish…”
“What?”
“I wish Ashleigh didn’t have to get dragged through all of this. I feel like our weird family has put her right in the middle of something.”
“Don’t worry about that one,” Madeline said. “She has a good mother. And a good example of how to be strong.”
Janet walked back to her desk, and Madeline followed. Janet wanted to put her head down, to lose herself in work as long as possible. But Madeline had something else to say.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” she said.
“Yes?”
“I saw that you’re getting your wish. They’re moving Justin’s body.”
“That’s right.”
“When is that going to happen?”
“The coroner is holding the body until the state crime lab reports their results. If they’re able to use the DNA they got, then the body will be released back to us. After that, I guess.”
“Make sure you let me know. I want to be there for you.”
“Thanks. I will.”
But Madeline still didn’t leave. She leaned down and lowered her voice. “Is your dad going to go to the reburial?”
“I have no idea. Why do you ask?”
“I just remember Justin’s first funeral. Your dad didn’t shed a tear. I know how men are, you know? But still, didn’t shed a tear. I guess I just hoped you could both go. You were so young the first time, and he was…Bill. I thought, well, in a way this is working out to give you a chance to really say good-bye.”
“And what if it isn’t Justin in the grave, Madeline? What if it’s really my brother sitting in a jail cell not speaking to anybody?”
Madeline didn’t say anything to that. Janet didn’t think anybody had an answer for the question.