Bones Of Contention: The McKinnon Legends - The American Men Book 3 Read Online Free PDF

3
    “Please, have a seat,” she offered pointing to one of the well-worn chairs in her office. Josh was quick to note her space was large for a college office, and neat was not something he would have expected.
    It was crammed with row after row of bookcases, taking up every usable inch of floor space, each jamed packed with reference materials. The exceptions were the sofa along the back wall, her desk, and a walk path to the chairs. It reminded him of a miniature library.
    “Welcome to the Gillman Library,” she said as if she had read his thoughts. “Oh, Josh, don’t look so surprised. It is what everyone thinks when they walk in here.” She giggled at his expression. “And you can relax, Lawman. I read bones not minds. Whatever you may have twirling around up there is perfectly safe,” she gestured with her hand, spinning her finger as if using it to stir a cup of coffee. “At least safe from me, I cannot vouch for anyone else.”
    Feeling more than a little self conscious, he placed the box on the edge of her desk and took the offered seat. She did not sit at her desk as he expected, but instead, after hanging up her lab coat, she sat in the chair next to him. Now that the coat was gone, he took the opportunity to note she was quite petite. He preferred his women tall. Always had, but she was still alluring with a great pair of legs even if they weren’t long. There was a mystery and intelligence wrapping around her which he found very remarkable. He could see the cleverness in her eyes. They were bright, inquisitive, and sharp with intelligence. Not to mention glimpses of mischief he caught now and then.
    He let her take the lead in this conversation. She knew some of why he was here although he had not been specific. So sitting silently for a moment, he studied her looking for subtle signs of retreat, defiance, or advancement.
    Jamie could plainly see he was skeptical.
    They always were when they came to see her. She was usually the last option, chapping their macho, manly asses to have to resort to her services in the first place. They were seldom ever grateful after her help, often saying an anonymous source helped or even going so far as taking full credit. It wasn’t that she wanted the fame. Actually, it was quite the opposite. She actually preferred staying out of the mainstream media, but it would have been nice for someone other than the graduate students, to whom she was known affectionately as Doctor Bones, to see she was not a fraud. Just last year her graduate staff bought her personalized license plates that read aptly: DOC BONZ.
    She sighed. Having her students believe was enough. It had to be.
    Obviously, she thought, he was not going to start and she did not have all day, so she just cut to the chase.
    “I have developed thick skin over the years working with guys like you, Sheriff McKinnon.” She sat up straight as if ready for a fight.
    “Guys like me?” he questioned.
    He remained calm. However, it flew all over him that she automatically labeled him. Sure, there were lots of law enforcement types who would never dream of making the appointment in the first place, much less following through. However, he was not your typical type of officer, never had been and she had no way of knowing that either.
    “Josh, look,” she sighed, “most law enforcement agencies pooh-pooh some of my methods. Actually, all my methods, come to think of it, which do not come straight out of a textbook.”
    She knew her methods could be quite unorthodox, falling well outside the realm of the easily explainable. As a legitimate scientist, sometimes it was difficult even for her to accept.
    How could she ever explain that the bones whisper to her? It was crazy, certifiably crazy, but a gift she had lived with for many years. At the age of seventeen she tripped, fell over a gravestone, hit her head, and was knocked unconscious.
    The irony was not lost to her.
    She had had the gift ever since.
    “Let me ask