Dead on the Fourth of July (David Dean Mysteries)

Not one of the threesome had a desire to enter the mine via this newfound entrance, but each cautiously examined the portal. Heavy brush had totally obscured the entrance until someone had quite recently cut and pulled away the branches, exposing the opening. The cuts on the limbs were definitely fresh. The portal was smaller and dryer than the main mine entrance and seemed to lead downward from this elevated location. The Deans, while making no comment on the discovery, realized this was how someone could have entered the mine and altered their markings while they were inside. Jennifer, ignorant to the significance of the second entrance, expressed little interest in the opening. After a cursory look, she moved on.

The group continued their cross-country trek and returned to the Jeep. After they were settled in the vehicle and on their way back to town, Jennifer Radisson brought up the more mundane subjects of the mine and her litigation.

"I'm sorry I was so incredulous about your 'legend of the lost bones' this morning. I'm beginning to understand what you've gotten yourselves into. The whole situation is downright bizarre."

"Our involvement isn't due to any aggressive action on our part," Cynthia said, turning in her seat to better answer the woman. "All we were trying to do is respond to a little girl's wishes and find out the identity of the skeleton she found. While we wish you all the luck with your suit, this whole Dawkins estate controversy is a family matter and frankly none of our business."

"I can appreciate that. But someone was shooting at us and that gets my attention in a hurry. If I find out it was one of those Dawkins boys, I'll respond in like fashion, and out in the open, not hiding behind boulders."

"We're not even sure it was a gun shot," Dean cautioned. "It is the Fourth of July. Fireworks are a distinct possibility."

"I haven't shot the bastard yet," she answered. "I'll keep an open mind. Tell me about these bones."

While Dean had briefly touched on his search for Martha's bones at the park that morning, he and Cynthia now repeated the story in greater detail. They were firm in their conviction that the bones Fitzgerald retrieved were not the same as those discovered by their young ward. They omitted mentioning the finger bone but assured their guest they had strong that evidence the bones were different. Jennifer didn't press them on the specifics of the evidence.

"Do you think the fact that the skeleton was in the mine is the reason my brothers-in-law want the property so badly?" she asked.