Bertie was just pulling into the driveway when Harry returned to the office after lunch. He unlocked the door and entered, leaving the door open behind him.
“Thank God, that’s done,” she said as she came in and sat at her desk.
“Was it that bad?” Harry asked, looking over at her.
“Turned out great. My dear old great-aunt Lizzie left me enough that I can now build my little greenhouse without having to touch my savings, for which I am grateful.” She turned on her computer. “I was expecting to get some old family heirloom, or some sort of trinket – not actual money!”
“So, I can expect a taste of freshly-grown greenhouse produce this fall, can I?”
“If I get anything to grow!” She laughed. “Anything turn up this morning?”
“Something pretty interesting, actually. Benny Stack’s dog has been bringing bones home from some unknown place.”
“Bones? What kind of bones?”
“Bruce thinks they could be pretty old and probably human.”
“Bruce? Are the police involved?”
Harry shook his head. “Not really,” he said, and then told her everything he knew so far.
“Have you talked to Mr. Stack yet?”
“Just long enough to tell him I’d be over this afternoon. I thought I’d go talk to him in person so I can look at the bones for myself. This could involve some research too. Are you interested?”
“Do you even have to ask?” She laughed. “When are we going?”
“Right now.” Harry got to his feet, and Bertie was tight behind him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Benny must have been watching for them because he opened the door and stepped out onto the patio just as they opened the truck doors. “Hello, Mr. Hogan.”
Hello, Mr. Stack. This is my associate, Ms Blackett.”
“Call me Benny. I’m not a very formal person.” Benny nodded at Bertie. “Nice to see you, Ms Blackett. Are you enjoying retirement?”
“Still adjusting a bit,” Bertie said. “How is your wife doing?”
“Arthritis still acts up when there’s rain coming, but she still visits the library and reads a lot.” Then, turning to Harry, Benny said, “I hope you can find out where Marvel is getting these bones, Mr. Hogan.”
“We’ll try,” Harry said. “May we see them?”
Benny lifted the cover of the wooden box on the corner of the patio. “They’re all in here.”
Harry and Bertie both bent down to look at them. “Hmm, Bruce said they were old,” Harry said.
“They do look old,” Bertie said.
Harry pulled a thin plastic glove from his pocket, pulled it over his right hand, and picked up one of the bones to get a better look. “It looks like they are actually stained with the dirt. It’s possible they’ve been underground a long time.”
“You think so? How far did that old scoundrel go to find something like that?” Benny shook his head.
