Henry’s interest in the skull was apparently rekindled, for he turned up the next morning, a full fifteen minutes early.
Bertie pulled into the driveway a few seconds later and climbed out of her jeep. “Come on, Hogan, let’s get this show on the road. I need coffee.”
Harry laughed. “You’re going to ruin Henry’s good opinion of you.”
She scowled at him. “Not everyone is a morning person, and I happen to one of those who’s not. Get the door open so I can get a cup of coffee, will you?” She looked at the grin on Henry’s face. “You think it’s funny?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Mom is like this when she gets home from work, if she’s had a hard day. But she feels better after she gets a cup of tea.”
Harry unlocked the door and she went straight for the Keurig she had brought in after getting two as house-warming gifts. He and Henry sat down and waited until Bertie joined them, both hands wrapped around her mug. “Okay,” she said. “Tell us what you’ve got up your sleeve.”
Harry grinned and shook his head. “I’ve been thinking. It’s strange that Henry sees the skull, but when we go back with him, it’s gone. And he marks the spot every time.”
“I mark the spot so I know I have the right place.” Henry said. “The side of the trail looks pretty much the same everywhere.”
“That’s right, it does, but you were smart enough to leave a mark.”
“So, what’s your point?” Bertie asked. “You think someone is doing this, putting the skull there, then moving it after Henry finds it and leaves.”
Henry’s mouth fell open. “You mean it’s just a prank?”
“Partly,” Harry said, “but I’d like to know who it is and where they got the skull. You said it was dirty?”
“Real dirty. And it looked old…or maybe the dirt made it look older than it is.”
“Possibly, but I’ve been remembering a case from when I was on the force, one that never got solved.”
“Did you have many unsolved cases?” Bertie asked.
“Just that one. It wasn’t a high priority but it’s always nagged at the back of my head,” Harry said absently.
Then he looked at Henry. “I don’t want you to give up on this just yet, Henry. I want you to continue walking up the trail but you don’t have to rush back here to report.”
“Then how will you know?” Henry was puzzled.
Harry reached into one of the desk drawers and handed Henry a phone. “This is what they call a burner phone. It’s only good for ten days. I want you to continue going up the trail and, when you see the skull, all you have to do is call me. The number is programmed in.”
“Okay.” Henry put the phone in his pocket. “Monday, after school. Mom’s off this weekend and we have things to do.”
“See you, Henry,” Harry and Bertie replied but he was gone before they finished speaking.
“Now, tell me what you’re planning,” Bertie said. And he did.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
