The Haunted Bones (A Lin Coffin Mystery Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

bones.”
    “You’ve got a point.”
    Nicky barked and Lin turned to see a woman walking with a yellow Lab in the field behind them. “Stay here, Nick.” The woman waved and Lin returned the gesture of greeting.
    Lin stood and glanced around wondering if the farmhouse’s neighbors might have noticed anything during the time the house was vacant. The trees surrounding the place made it difficult for the people living next door to see the back of the property but, in the winter when the branches were bare, there might be decent visibility from house to house. A skitter of anxiety washed over Lin remembering the odd feeling she had when Nicky found the bone. “I wonder if the neighbors would be willing to talk to me.”
    Leonard gave her the eye. “Why would you want to talk to the neighbors? The police must have talked to them. We don’t have any business asking questions.”
    “I found the bone.”
    “You aren’t an investigator.” Leonard ran his hand over his hair. “Best leave it to the police.”
    Lin sighed. She recalled the feeling she had when Emily Coffin made eye contact with her the other evening when Nicky uncovered the bone. Standing at the edge of the field with Leonard, her fingers could almost feel the little sparks that had picked at her hand when she held it.
    Lin knew why Emily was watching. Emily wanted her to get involved. But she also knew that there was a reason to investigate that was even more important than that.
    The bone wanted Lin to get involved.

6
    A fter watching the yard of the farmhouse, Leonard dropped Lin off to pick up her truck and she and Nicky headed to one last stop. She wanted to replace some flowers at the cemetery entrance that weren’t holding up well in the summer heat. Driving along, Lin kept the window down so the breeze would rush in through the opening and cool her.
    Thinking about what they’d seen from their perch on the hill, Lin couldn’t stop contemplating the bone, how it got in that yard, and who it belonged to. She was so deep in thought that she almost missed the turn to the cemetery. Glancing at the dashboard clock, she realized she had to hurry with the planting so she could get home in time to make the salads for the cookout.
    Pulling past the old wrought-iron gates, Lin parked as far to the left as she could so as not to block the entrance. Her truck’s engine sputtered and coughed and turned off. She lifted the new flowers and some tools out of the truck and with the dog at her side, she went to work on removing the old blooms and replacing them.
    A man’s voice called her name and she turned to see the cemetery manager, Quinn Whitaker, walking over to her. “How are things? That truck of yours doesn’t sound too good.”
    Lin stood. “I’m afraid it’s on its way out. It doesn’t always want to start up in the mornings.” The two exchanged some pleasantries.
    Quinn said, “The place looks great. You’re doing good work.”
    “The summer’s been so hot, it’s taking a toll on some of the flowers. I’m taking a few annuals out and replacing them.” She pointed at the flower bed.
    “I appreciate it.” Quinn nodded. “You’re keeping things looking fresh.” He checked his watch. “I just got back from the mainland this morning. Work is backed up now because I was away, so I’ll be staying late tonight.”
    “You took some time off?” Lin brushed some dirt from her hands. She hoped Quinn wasn’t going to chat much longer. She needed to put these flowers in so she could get home.
    “Just a few days. I had to tend to some family things,” Quinn said. “Elderly issues.”
    Even though she’d never had the responsibility of aging parents, Lin gave a nod. Her parents had died when she little and her grandfather had raised her. He passed away a few months ago and left Lin the cottage.
    While Quinn made a few more comments about the weather and the work he was behind on, something picked at Lin’s brain. Quinn headed back to work