Murder Bone by Bone by Lora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

inspecting his fingernails. “For instance, if there was a bullet in the chest cavity, you have to excavate down through the cavity to find it. What good is it as evidence if it’s just sifted out of a pile of rubble?”
    “If a bullet is found in the vicinity of the body, it makes a pretty obvious statement,” Drake said, but he looked undecided.
    Melanie said thoughtfully, "That’s true about Biddy, though. She shouldn’t have to put up with weeks of digging going on, not with everything else.”
    "Who’s this Biddy?” Richard Grolen asked, irritated.
    “Bridget,” Claudia corrected. “She’s in Hawaii.”
    “Well, then.” Figuratively, Richard washed his hands.
    “She’ll be back Friday,” Melanie said. “Can you complete a dig in that length of time, Richard?”
    Now Richard chewed his lip, thinking. Drake said nothing. “Not ordinarily,” he said at last. “But as you pointed out, Detective, this isn’t a site with historical importance. If we just wanted to work on our excavating skills, guess we could hurry it up. After all, the bones aren’t in there very deep.”
    Melanie turned to Drake, triumphant. “See! I’ve saved you some money."
    “Not really, Mrs. Dixon.” Drake kept his voice polite, but I could tell he found Melanie irritating. He wasn’t the only one. “We’ll still have to have someone here the whole time, making sure nothing gets—mislaid.” He darted a look at Richard. “Especially if it turns out to be a homicide. After all, your friend here might have had an opportunity to plant someone under the sidewalk while he was living across the street. It wouldn’t look good for us to give him access to his own crime scene, now would it?”
    Melanie sputtered with indignation, but Richard threw back his head and laughed. “Right,” he said. “I might make away with the evidence. That would never do.”
    “I’m not making a decision right now,” Drake said firmly. “In any case, it’s not just my decision to make. After I talk to a few people, I’ll let you know.”
    Richard handed Drake a card. “Guess that’s the best I’m going to do,” he said, resigned. “I’ll haul my people out of here. But we’ll be ready to come back whenever you say so.”
    Melanie escorted Richard out. Claudia watched them go, then looked at Drake. “You know,” she said conversationally, “Melanie knows a lot about what was going on around here fifteen, twenty years ago. She was the one who steered Biddy to this house when it went up for sale, after the old lady who owned it passed away. You should try to get on her good side, Drake.”
    “I don’t have to get on anyone’s good side.” The whole encounter had evidently rubbed Drake the wrong way. He looked around the kitchen, at the munching kids and slumbering dog, at Claudia’s amused face and at me. I tried to arrange an expression of sympathetic interest, but didn’t know how much good it did. Drake gulped down the coffee Claudia handed him, and glared at me. “Keep those kids away from that dirt,” he ordered. “The Public Works guys should be here soon to secure the site. I’ll be at home if you need me, trying to get my weekend back.”
    He stalked out.
    Claudia looked at me with sympathy. “Listen,” she said, setting her own coffee cup down. “Don’t try to be a hero here. Bridget left some housekeeping money, right?” I nodded. “Take the kids out for pizza if you have to, but take it easy on yourself. You’ve got several days to go—don’t wear out now.”
    It was good advice. I cut up more apple, and some pear for variety, and decided that we would all have enforced quiet time after lunch.
    I, especially, needed it.
     

Chapter 6
     
    The kids went down for well-deserved naps. Stillness blessed the house.
    Sinking into one of the shabby overstuffed chairs in the living room, I took the Utne Reader from the pile of magazines on the coffee table. Afternoon sun from the window at my back threw warmth