A Broth of Betrayal by Connie Archer Read Free Book Online

ground?”
    Elias stood and brushed off his clothes. “This is extremely old, Nate. Look at the
     pitting and discoloration of the bone tissue. The surface is heavily flaked and abraded.
     I’m sure the mandible has separated from the skull. All the material has rotted away
     of course, although there could be tiny fragments underneath.”
    “Any guess as to whether this skeleton is Native American?”
    “You’d need to take cranial metrics to determine that. I don’t want to jump the gun,
     but judging by the shape of the skull and eye sockets, I’d say offhand this skeleton
     is Caucasoid.”
    “Can you tell how long it’s been here?”
    Elias turned and smiled. “Oh, my guess is a very, very long time. There’s mineralization
     on that bone, and you’ll find more tree roots as you dig down. There’s no way of telling
     if there’s a complete skeleton there. Obviously the site’s been disturbed already.
     Maybe there’ll be a lot of difficulty if the bones have bonded with the soil. That
     can be like extracting them from concrete. Animals could have carried off some of
     the bones too. You’ll need to notify the University. This is something the forensic
     anthropologists should look at.” Elias replaced the tweezers in a side pocket of his
     bag. “Don’t think I can be of much use here, but I’ll be at the Clinic if anyone needs
     me.”
    Lucky hated to admit it, but she felt a thrill every time Elias was near. Had she
     fallen in love? Probably, she thought, head over heels. She only hoped it was returned
     as deeply. She walked with him back to the opening in the fence. “You think this might
     have been an old burial ground?”
    He shook his head. “I really don’t know. That’s for the anthropologists to decide,
     but my guess is no. I don’t see any remnant of a casket. If he was shrouded, that
     material would have completely rotted away. If he was a victim of war he might have
     been buried in a hurry. I’ll be curious to hear what the experts have to say.”
    He touched her arm lightly and a thrill ran through her. “I’ll give you a call tonight.”
     He turned and crossed Water Street, heading across the Village Green to return to
     the Clinic. Lucky watched him until he reached Broadway then she returned to the group
     at the gravesite.
    Horace was elated at the discovery. “I knew it. I just knew it. I know some people
     at Bennington. I can make some calls. I’m sure they’ll get here as soon as they can.”
    “You’re just the man,” Nate replied. “Now, it’s getting on in the day. We’ll have
     to erect a small tent over this,” he said, indicating the pile of bones. “I doubt
     it’ll be raining tonight, but I don’t want anyone poking around.”
    “Perhaps we can form a little team. Myself. Jack?” Horace looked questioningly at
     Jack.
    Jack nodded his agreement. “Hank and Barry will donate some time, I’m sure.”
    “We can split it up into four-hour increments. We should camp out here and make sure
     no one disturbs anything,” Horace responded.
    “Good. My deputy can do a shift too. You men work it out with him.”
    Lucky said, “I’ll send one of the girls over with a basket of sandwiches and drinks.
     Jack, can you help me with that?” Her grandfather had always insisted she call him
     by his name. He cringed at the thought of any title he thought was for old men. He
     wasn’t ever going to be old and insisted he always be called “Jack.”
    “Sure will, my girl. Right now, it’s just about five bells.”
    Barry smiled. “What he said . . .”
    “He means it’s two thirty.” As a young girl Lucky had learned to tell time Navy style,
     thanks to Jack. It was second nature to her now, especially when she was talking to
     her grandfather.
    Jack ignored Barry’s comment. “Barry, why don’t you take the first watch while Horace
     calls the University, and I’ll be back with some food and a couple of folding chairs.”
     Barry nodded in