Read LC 02 - Questionable Remains for Free Online Page A

body. Miles identified that
skeleton as Ken Darnell, Grace's brother. The other skulls
were apparently still attached by remaining ligaments. The
photographs were good, but the skeletons were clothed.
    "Do you have any photographs of the bones by themselves?"
    "No, that's all we have. We know it's not much," said
Miles.
    "Who identified the bones?"
    "The authorities in Tennessee," answered Miles.
    "Do you know what person? Was it the medical examiner? Did they show the bones to a forensic anthropologist?"
asked Lindsay.
    "We don't know that," said Miles. "We were lucky to get
these photographs."
    "Were you asked to identify any of his belongings?"
    Miles nodded. "Yes. We went up to Tennessee, and they
showed the effects to us and Jennifer, his wife. They were
Ken's, without a doubt."
    "You said they were found last month. When did they
disappear?"
    "February 26 two years ago was the last day anybody
remembered seeing any of them," Miles said.
    "It's been two very hard years," said Grace.
    "What exactly do you want me to do?" asked Lindsay.
    "Dean Howard, our sheriff, is a friend of Sheriff Duggan over at Merry Claymoore. Sheriff Duggan told him that you
are really good with bones."

    Lindsay wanted to tell them that yes, she was pretty good
with bones, but she needed some bones to work with. Here
she had only pictures of bones, and they didn't show much.
Instead, she asked, "Why do you think someone murdered
your brother, Grace?"
    "The insurance. He and his wife were partners in the
sporting goods store, and she had insurance on him for the
business, and she also had personal insurance on his life.
Since he died by accident, she got over a million dollars."
    Lindsay raised her eyebrows. "That is a lot of money,
but-"
    "Like Miles said, she was seeing somebody else while
they were married. I think he might have helped her," said
Grace.
    "Do you know who she was seeing?" asked Lindsay.
    Grace shook her head. "A friend saw them together. He
had dark hair, that's all I know."
    "She is a businesswoman," said Lindsay. "The person she
was seen with may have been a client or a business associate."
    "You don't kiss clients or business associates," Grace
Lambert said emphatically.
    "All right," said Lindsay. "However, none of what you
have told me is evidence of murder."
    "She got the money to open their sporting goods store
from insurance money when her first husband died," Grace
said.
    "How did he die?" Lindsay asked.
    "A heart attack," Grace answered.
    "Was the death investigated?" Lindsay asked.
    "Not that I know of," Grace replied.
    "It could have been a heart attack," Lindsay told her
gently.
    "Look," said Miles. "I know we haven't got much to go
on. We don't even have his bones. But we thought maybe they'd give information to you where they wouldn't to us."

    "You just want me to have a look at the medical examiner's report?" Lindsay was still not sure what they wanted
her to do.
    "Yes, and anything else you can find out." Grace looked
down at her hands and back up at Lindsay. "Maybe there's
something in the pictures. Maybe they took other pictures
they didn't show us. Maybe there's something you can find.
He was my brother, and I have to do all that I can."
    Lindsay understood that. She had a brother, estranged
from their family, but he was her brother, and even if she
wasn't his favorite person, she loved him and was glad to
know that he was somewhere in the world.
    "Tell me what county he died in, and I'll see what I can
discover."
    Both Grace and Miles looked relieved.
    It was almost ten when Lindsay went to the guest room
to get ready for bed. She was about to turn down the covers
when she heard a gentle tap-tap at the door and opened it.
Marilee was standing there in her nightgown.
    "Hello, Marilee. Do you need something?"
    Marilee came into the room. "Why is Mommy crying? Is
it for her brother?"
    "Were you listening?" asked Lindsay. Of course she was,
Lindsay thought. When you're