Devil Bones Read Online Free PDF Page A

spikes, an antler, and two strands of yelow beads. A knife had been thrust into the fil to the depth of its handle.
    A chain wrapped the cauldron’s exterior, just below the rim. A machete leaned against its left side. A sheet of plywood was propped against its right.
    I moved to the plywood and squatted. Symbols covered the surface, executed, I suspected, with black Magic Marker.
    Next in the row was a cheap plaster statue. The woman wore a long white gown, red cape, and crown. One hand held a chalice, the other a sword. Beside her was a miniature castle or tower.
    I tried to recal the Catholic icons of my youth. Some manifestation of the Virgin Mary? A saint? Though the visage was vaguely familiar, I couldn’t ID the lady.
    Shoulder to shoulder with the statue stood a carved wooden effigy with two faces pointing in opposite directions. Roughly twelve inches tal, the humanoid figure had long, slender limbs, a potbely, and a penis upright and locked.
    Definitely not the Virgin, I thought.
    Last in line were two dols in layer-cake ruffled gingham dresses, one yelow, one blue. Both dols were female and black. Both wore bracelets, hoop earrings, and medalions on neck chains. Blue sported a crown. Yelow had a kerchief covering her hair.
    And a miniature sword piercing her chest.
    I’d seen enough.
    The skul was not plastic. Human remains were present. The chicken hadn’t been dead long.
    Perhaps the rituals performed at the altar were harmless. Perhaps not. To be certain, proper recovery protocol had to be folowed. Lights. Cameras. Chain-of-custody documentation to ensure possession could be proved every step of the way.
    I headed to the stairs. Two treads up I heard a noise and raised my eyes. A face was peering down through the opening.
    It was not a face I wanted to see.
    4
    ERSKINE “SKINNY” SLIDELL IS A DETECTIVE WITH THE CHARLOTTE-Mecklenburg PD Felony Investigative Bureau/Homicide Unit. The murder table.
    I’ve worked with Slidel over the years. My opinion? The guy’s got the personality of a blocked nostril. But good instincts.
    Slidel’s Brylcreemed head was turtling over the tunnel’s opening.
    “Doc.” Slidel greeted me in his usual indolent way.
    “Detective.”
    “Tel me I can go home, knock back a Pabst, and root for my boys on SmackDown.”
    “Not tonight.”
    Slidel sighed in annoyance, then withdrew from sight.
    Climbing upward, I recaled the last time our paths had crossed.
    August. The detective was entering the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. I’d just testified and was heading out.
    Slidel isn’t what you’d cal a fast thinker on his feet. Or on the stand. Actualy, that’s an understatement. Sharp defense attorneys make hamburger of Skinny. His nervousness had been apparent that morning, his eyes circled with dark rings suggesting a lot of tossing and turning.
    Emerging from the ladder wel, I noted that Slidel looked marginaly better today. The same could not be said of his jacket. Green polyester with orange top stitching, the thing was garish, even in the subterranean gloom.

    “Officer here says we got us a witch doctor.” Slidel lifted his chin in Gleason’s direction.
    I described what I’d seen in the subcelar.
    Slidel checked his watch. “How ’bout we toss this thing in the morning?”
    “Got a date tonight, Skinny?”
    Behind me, Gleason made a muffled sound in his throat.
    “Like I said. Six-pack and Superstars.”
    “Should have set your TiVo.”
    Slidel looked at me as though I’d suggested he program the next shuttle mission.
    “It’s like a VCR,” I explained, yanking off a glove.
    “I’m surprised this hasn’t drawn attention.” Slidel was looking at the opening by my feet. He was referring to the media.
    “Let’s keep it that way,” I said. “Use your cel phone to cal CSS.”
    I puled off the torn glove. The heel of my thumb was red, swolen, and itchy as hel.
    “Tel them we’l need a generator and portable lights.” Both gloves went into my kit. “And