Terry Odell - Mapleton 02 - Deadly Bones by Terry Odell Read Free Book Online

the problem? I trust you reminded him of the noise laws. And that you appeased Mrs. Blanchard.” Roberta Blanchard, Fred’s closest neighbor whined about everything. Although they both owned thirty-five acres, his house was situated relatively close to the property line between his place and hers. As was Mrs. Blanchard’s, so aside from stands of trees, their houses were within eyeshot—and earshot—of each other.
    “I did. She said she was being proactive about exercising her rights to peace and quiet, and he said he’d make sure to keep an eye on the clock. I asked him what he was doing, cutting down so many trees. And that’s when it started going sideways.”
     

Chapter 6
     
    “I need more coffee,” Gordon said. “Let’s take this inside. We can sit in a booth in the back. Angie’s the only one here, and she’ll leave us alone.” Except maybe to bring us some food.
    “You’re the Chief.”
    Gordon rapped on the door. When Angie answered, he explained that he and Solomon would be having a quick conference.
    She gave a solemn nod. “No problem. Coffee? And a cinnamon roll?”
    “You need to ask?” Gordon said.
    “If it’s not too much trouble,” Solomon added.
    Seated at the last booth in the corner of the diner, both men took a moment to savor the fresh-from-the oven cinnamon rolls Angie had set in front of them. Solomon licked the still-warm icing from his fingers. “Damn, these are good. Perfect way to end a shift. Although my wife will still expect me to make Sunday morning bacon and pancakes for her and the kids before church.”
    Gordon pictured his officer wielding a spatula, flipping golden pancakes while his family gathered around the table. He thought of Angie, baking cinnamon rolls. A hollowness opened in his chest. He sipped his coffee. “So, tell me what the problem is.”
    “I’m not sure it’s a problem. That’s why I wanted to talk to you before I put anything in writing.” Solomon pushed his plate aside and centered his coffee mug in front of him. “Freddy was his usual incoherent self, rambling on and on. This time, he kept talking about people wanting to steal his treasure. Or they’d already stolen it. He said that the trees were in the way, but I couldn’t get him to say of what. And how he needed sunlight.” Solomon lowered his voice. “There were a bunch of places where he’d been digging. And it looked like he’d used explosives on some of the tree trunks, which would match what Mrs. Blanchard thought were gunshots.”
    “So, you think he’s putting in a garden?”
    Solomon grimaced. “I can’t see Freddy raising tomatoes.”
    “Ah. You think he’s going to start growing weed.”
    Solomon almost choked on his coffee. “Freddy? Too much work. I can see him building a still if he’s looking to feed his habit.”
    “So what do you want from me?”
    “I don’t know. It’s just…” Solomon rearranged the silverware. “I mean, what if those holes he’s been digging are related to the bone we found? Fred’s a hunter. If he can butcher a deer or an elk, why not a human?”
    “ Crazy Freddy? You think he’s got skeletons buried on his property? That he’s murdered people?” Gordon rubbed his eyes. “I can’t buy him as a killer. I don’t think he’s got enough unpickled brain cells to manage something like that.”
    “Hey, it was a thought. You know. Consider all the possibilities.”
    Gordon thought about the logistics. Although Freddy’s property wasn’t near the Shores’, Kretzers’, or Webbers’, he lived up the mountain. Over time, erosion moved things down . “I’d need to look at a topo map. I’m too used to thinking in terms of roads, not crows.”
    Solomon wiped his mouth and leaned back. “Thanks, Chief. I suppose I was seeing zebras, not horses. You need me for anything else?”
    “Nope. File your report and go home.”
    “Will do, Chief. I’m off until Tuesday, but if you get any leads or information on the bone, I