*****
Ally woke up in the dark and looked at the message notification on her phone. It was from a phone number with the same area code as Liz’s parents. Not sure what to expect, she opened the text. It read: ‘Alison, you don’t know me, but I’m Elizabeth’s brother. My parents told me that you contacted them. They showed me the message they sent you. I don’t agree with them. Liz had these ideas in her head way before she met you. I don’t blame you. You asked where Liz’s grave was. She doesn’t have one. We cremated her. If you want, you can visit the place where we spread her ashes. It’s at the Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River. I have attached a photo of my parents spreading the ashes. You should be able to figure out the exact spot from the photo. I strongly suggest that you don’t try to talk to our parents again. They are stubborn people. They won’t have a change of heart. Good luck. PS: We have no photos of Liz from the last six years. If you have any, I would be grateful if you could send some to me. Thank you.’
Ally looked at the photo from Liz’s brother. She recognized the parents. They were both holding on to an urn of ashes, tipping it over a cliff. Far down below was the Colorado River. The water was a dark blue.
Ally immediately went online to access her photo collection. Within ten minutes she had sent Liz’s brother every photo she had. She didn’t include the photos that she was a part of. Every photo was Liz, by herself.
Department of Student Loans, Kidnap & Ransom Page 31