Rows of wooden planters shot the length of the building, each outfitted with pipes that ran upward into more pipes that I assumed were a central irrigation system. Baskets hung from hooks. Pots sat on the floor.
There was so much flora I could almost hear the photosynthesis going on around me. I knew some easy ones. Basil, impatiens, ferns, geraniums. The rest were a leafy green mystery.
We both looked around. Bogan was nowhere in sight.
Galimore called out, got no response.
When he called out again, a voice bellowed from beyond an open door at the greenhouse’s far end. We walked toward it between stands of toddler azaleas. Already my hair was lank and my shirt was sticking to my back.
The owner of the voice was in a small room that appeared to function as some sort of prep area. He was kneeling beside a barrel and, on hearing our approach, swiveled, trowel in one hand.
Bogan’s hair, once red, was now salmon-gray. Rosacea made it hard to tell where his pink face ended and his scalp began.
From Bogan’s greeting, I guessed the greenhouse had few walk-in customers.
“Who the hell are you?”
Galimore did the quick badge-flip thing. “We have a few questions for you, Mr. Bogan.”
“Questions about what?”
“Your son.”
“You have news of my son?”
“No, sir. We were hoping you might.”
I noticed a tremor in Bogan’s hand as he lay down the trowel. Double-gripping the barrel rim, he slowly pulled himself to his feet.
The word “flamingo” popped into my mind. The coloring. The spindly legs. Bogan’s upper body seemed far too bulky for his lower limbs to support.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Cotton Galimore. My associate is Dr. Temperance Brennan.”
Bogan bounced a glance off me but asked no follow-up question.
“We’ve been looking into the disappearances of Cindi Gamble and your son, Cale.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“Yes, sir.”
Bogan’s eyes narrowed. “Do I know you?”
“I was on the task force back in 1998.” Galimore left it at that.
Bogan seemed to consider, let it go. “The police have reopened the case?”
Galimore did not correct Bogan’s misinterpretation that he was still on the job. “Last week a body was found in a landfill next to the Charlotte Motor Speedway. You may have seen media reports.”
“I don’t follow the news.” A nod in my direction. “What’s her connection?”
“Dr. Brennan examined that body.”
Bogan turned to me. “Was it Cale?”
“I think it’s unlikely.”
“But you don’t know.”
“Not with complete certainty.”
Bogan opened his mouth. Before he could speak, music burst from my purse.
Apologizing, I withdrew a few steps, dug out my mobile, and clicked on.
And immediately regretted ignoring the caller ID.
“Sweet baby Jesus, Tempe. My life’s going to hell in a hand-basket.”
“I can’t talk now, Summer.” Hand-cupping my mouth.
“I’m going to die. I really am. No person on this earth—”
“I’ll help you later.”
“When?”
“Whenever.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
