Page 21 of Destined Chaos
“That’s an excellent idea. Take some pictures of the bones for proof before the police get here,” Dinky said.
“No,” I answered. “That’s disrespectful, and if this is a crime scene, then we’re contaminating it. Everyone out. Upstairs.”
I ushered them up the stairs and glanced at the new opening once more. When I was a little girl, this basement used to be wide open without walls. It had only been closed in since the day my mother ran. Someone in my family had to be responsible for those bones. Did that mean one of them was a killer?
We hit the first floor, and I grabbed my crutches and headed for the kitchen. I grabbed the phone and dialed 911.
“I’ll take it,” Henry said. “I don’t need to see anymore. I’ll have my lawyer draw up the paperwork.” He patted Dinky’s back. “Looks like you’re off the hook.”
“That’s fabulous. It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” Dinky’s excited voice rose an octave.
I frowned. How could he possibly be excited about this?
“We have other offers. I’m not sure…” My answer was cut off when the phone was answered.
“Nine-one-one. What’s your emergency?”
“I’d like to report a skeleton hidden in my walls.”
9
Libby
I sat at the top of the stairs looking down at the forensic team as they moved around. They’d wanted me to wait upstairs while they worked, but I just couldn’t. I had to see with my own eyes, and thankfully, Clark Weller didn’t send me away for the third time. He stood at the bottom of the stairs, talking in hushed tones to a few people, while men dressed from head to toe in white suits and gloves carefully cut and removed the drywall. With each section, a look would pass between the workers. I hadn’t understood it until I spotted the second skull and then the third. There wasn’t just one body in my basement. There were more.
Dinky had left with Mr. Johnson. It was as though he could read the aggravation and frustration on my face. The longer Johnson stood there talking about his plans, the more I was ready to tell him no and boot him out.
My heart seized as an overwhelming sadness consumed me. My eyes started to tear. I didn’t know why. I didn’t even know whose bones those were, and it wasn’t for the family I didn’t know.
Someone’s life had been discarded, more than one, and within my house. Was that why I’d been pushed down the stairs? One of these dead people wanting revenge? I refrained from rubbing at the age-old scar.
Big boots clomped down on the stair I was sitting on. I couldn’t take my eyes off the wall as the next section of the drywall was being removed.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. I leave you alone for one minute, and you go and find some bones,” Hugh said as he sat next to me.
“Leave it to me.” My voice was a whisper. “Although I wasn’t the one that fell into the drywall. That was all Dinky.”
“Must run in the family,” Hugh teased and handed me a green smoothie in a cup I didn’t recognize. “What’s this?”
“That’s compliments of Mrs. Weller. It’s the healthiest thing she could make.” Hugh grinned and pulled a granola bar out of his pocket and tilted it in my direction. “And this is from me. This is as healthy as I get, but I brought donuts for you and the others, in case you venture beyond your comfort zone.”
“This isn’t some freak show that we need popcorn to watch.”
“I know,” Hugh said. His brows dipped. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. I just thought you might need a friend.”
“You’re supposed to be the house whisperer. Why didn’t you know about the bones in the walls?” My question was accusatory as I turned my gaze back to the workers.
“I don’t know how my gift works. I don’t have an answer for you.” Hugh shrugged. “Come on, let’s get some air. Those guys might be down there for a while.”
I nodded and used the railing to pull myself up. He took the drink while I hopped up the stairs and grabbed my crutches, heading for the front door. He opened the door, and I hobbled out, leaving my crutches resting against the railing while I retook the smoothie and sniffed it before putting it to my lips.
I shivered at the breeze as I drank.
Hugh shuffled out of his jacket and held it out for me to put on. Warmth surrounded me as the jacket drowned me.
“Won’t you be cold?”
“Nah, I have thick skin, and this is mild since the sun is out. We should see about getting some groceries to hold you over while all of the work is going on.”
