"So? Call an archeologist."

"The bones weren't that old. It was a man, in a shirt."

Fitzgerald sighed. "Send the kid in. What's she doing in a mine in the first place? That's probably trespassing. I'll set her straight."

"I can't send her in. The state picked her up this morning. She's visiting with her mother, over in Denver."

"Send in the other kid-the one who was with her."

"He's long gone. He was just a guest at Bird Song. Back in early June."

"When did they find these alleged bones?"

"A couple of weeks ago, I guess. She just told us yesterday." This dialog was becoming reminiscent of earlier conversations with Jake Weller in which Dean always managed to sound incredibly stupid.

"Just as this kid's leaving town, she puts this story on you, huh? And because some little snot-nose has a vivid imagination, or thinks it's fun to tell whoppers, I'm supposed to go traipsing off in some god-forsaken mine on the taxpayer's expense on a treasure hunt?"

"Yup."

"Well, maybe your buddy Jake Weller came running when you yelled hide-and-seek, but I don't. When the kid comes back from her momma's house, give me a buzz and I'll see if I have time to talk some truth into her."

Dean closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Wrong answer, Fitzgerald. Martha is a straight kid. I believe what she said and I promised her I'd follow up on it and that's what I'm doing. Now, if you're acting sheriff or whatever the hell your position is, it's your damned job to follow through. Take this as an official request."

"Otherwise?"

"There's no 'otherwise.' That's what sheriffs do. Now do it. Here's the location." Dean handed Fitzgerald the photocopy of Martha's drawing and comments she and Cynthia had made.

Fitzgerald made no effort to take the offered paper. Dean dropped it on his desk.

Fitzgerald stared at it for a ten count. "Yes, candidate Dean. At your service." As Dean rose to leave, he added with a sneer, "If this is some joke, I'll have your ass. I guess you know that."

Did Dean ever know that! Come on Martha, he prayed. I'm counting on you.




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