by Marja McGraw
“Anything in it?” I asked.
He opened it. “Some coins. Big surprise there.” He poured them into his hand. “Huh. They’re all dated from the 1930s and 1940s. Nothing newer than that.”
Chris stopped digging so he could take a look. I couldn’t read the expression on his face, but he did look determined as he began digging again.
“Uh oh,” he said.
“Uh oh?” I repeated.
“Yeah, uh oh. I just hit something.” He stopped digging and stooped down to use his hands, brushing dirt away from something.
“What is it?” Sharon asked, stepping closer.
“It looks like fabric. Maybe from a flannel shirt. There’s not much, but… ”
I suddenly realized I was holding my breath.
Chris stood up. “We’ve got to call the police. There’s a body buried here.” He shook his head.
“Are you sure?” I asked, releasing my breath.
“As sure as I can be. I just found a skull. And there are other bones, along with some jeans material. Pamela, use your cell phone and make the call. Let’s all go upstairs. I don’t think we should do any more digging or touch anything.”
I was shocked. The idea of finding a dead body in the cellar really had been just a joke. Not for one second did I ever think we’d actually find anything. Suddenly the idea of a mystery didn’t sound so enticing.
I saw Sharon reaching for her cell phone and grabbed her hand. “Not now, Sharon. Wait until we know more.”
I had no doubt she’d been about to call the newspaper to report our find. “Dead Body Found in Future Location of Bogey Man’s Restaurant” the headlines would read. I held onto her hand a bit tighter, and she finally pulled away and put her cell phone back in her purse.
I opened mine and dialed.
Chapter Five
The police arrived just as Mikey and Constance climbed out of the car. Mikey watched the police cruiser, curiosity practically oozing out of his pores.
As casually as possible, I approached my son and friend. “Uh, Constance, we’ve had a little mishap here. Could you please take Mikey home and stay with him until we get there?”
“Your last little mishap was a fire,” she said, quietly. “What is it this time?”
“I’ll tell you when we come home. But for right now, would you get Mikey out of here?”
My son ran toward the house and I called him back.
“What’s going on?” Constance asked.
Mikey couldn’t hear us, so I whispered. “We found a skeleton buried in the cellar. Need I say more?”
“Uh, no. We’ll talk later.”
“What’s going on, Mom?” Mikey asked, latching onto my hand.
“Oh, not much really. We’ll talk when Dad and I get home.”
That was the distraction he needed. He turned to Constance. “Did I tell you that I’m going to call Chris Daddy now? I meant to say Dad. He doesn’t mind at all.”
The two climbed back into Constance’s car and I could see Mikey’s lips moving a mile a minute as they pulled away from the curb. Constance was grinning.
The police were headed toward the house and I ran to catch up with them.
“Excuse me, officers, but the problem is in the cellar. Would you follow me please?”
“Ma’am, we understand you’ve found a skeleton?”
“Yes, we have.”
They actually looked a little skeptical, and I couldn’t understand why.
“Is there a problem?” I asked.
“Are you sure it’s a human skeleton and not a dog or other animal?”
“Yes, officer, I’m sure. My husband found the skull.”
I could see their interest perk up when I mentioned the skull. “I’m Officer Seevers and this is Officer Small,” the first copper said, belatedly. “Sometimes people find animal bones in these old houses, so I thought I’d ask. We’ll take a look and then call it in.”
Everyone was standing outside, by the cellar door, and the cops asked who’d found the body. Chris stepped forward.
“Would you please show us what you found?” Officer Seevers asked.
Chris turned on his flashlight and started down the stairs, with the coppers following. I heard him telling them about the coin purse, but the farther away they were, the less I could hear. After a few minutes they came back up the stairs.
“I’ll call it in,” Officer Small said. “Be back in a minute.”
I turned to Officer Seevers. “Well?” I asked. “Was it human remains?”
“Yes, ma’am. We’ll get a team out here to go over the basement. I’ll need to take statements from all of you. You’ll need to stay out of the way and out of the basement until we’re done.” He followed his partner out to the car.
“What do you think, Chris?” I asked.
He spoke quietly. “Before they got here, Big D and I took a good look at the skull. It looks like someone bashed his head in. The back of his head appeared to be crushed.”
I sucked in my breath. “So we’re talking about murder.” I sounded dramatic, even to myself. I watched the two cops return to the cellar.
“Well, duh,” Big D said. “I mean, he certainly didn’t bury himself.”
“Good point,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him. “Now what? And how do you know it was a man?”
Chris turned to me. “Now, nothing. The police will take over. I’m just assuming it was a guy, but I couldn’t tell you for sure. I hope this doesn’t ruin things for the restaurant going in here.”
“Yeah. Who’d want to patronize a restaurant with a dead body in the cellar?” I cringed, knowing I might have second thoughts if I were a customer instead of the owner.
“Here’s where I come in,” Sharon said. “This is great publicity. People have a morbid curiosity. They’ll come in droves, I guarantee it. The more sensational the story, the more they’ll want to come here.”
“Ha! If it’s a morbid story, they’ll stay away in droves. The only ones who’ll show up will be thrill seekers. And if his head was bashed in, chances are it’s going to be a morbid story.”
My stomach dropped to my feet as I thought about our business failing. There just had to be some kind of spin we could put on this that wouldn’t detract from the good food and ambiance we offered. Chris and I needed to brainstorm.
“You and your husband and I need to sit down and talk about this. Do a little brainstorming,” Sharon said, reading my mind. “We can work this out. I can get my story, and you can get your business back. Trust me.”
“We? There is no we here,” I said.
“Has anyone taken a moment to think about the stiff in the cellar?” Chris asked. “You realize, of course, that someone was murdered and buried in our cellar. Someone was alive one day and bit the dust the next. Someone croaked, bought the farm, and not the easy way. How many more ways can I say it? There was a murder committed here.”
“That body has been there a long time,” I said. “The house has been vacant, and all you found were bones. This speaks of an old crime to me. We probably wouldn’t be so blasé if there was more than just bones.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right. This guy was probably fish bait long before we were even hatched,” Chris said. “But still, he was upright and breathing just like us at some point in time.”
“Cool,” Sharon said. “I love it when you talk like an old time detective.”
I glared at her. However, she was right. Chris was moving into his Bogey mode. He smelled a mystery, and an old one at that. As much as I hated to admit it, my curiosity was a little piqued, too. I mean, it wasn’t like we’d found a fresh corpse. I groaned inwardly, feeling callous.
“You know,” Sharon said, “maybe that’s an angle we could work – the fact that it’s an old murder with a vintage P.I. type guy working the case.”
“I’m not working the case, Sharon,” Chris said. “This is a police matter. Why don’t you hold off until we know more?”
“Wel
l, I’ve got to turn something in to the paper. Otherwise the other newspapers will scoop us when they check the police sheets.” Sharon sounded annoyed.
I’d been thinking about the whole situation while Chris and Sharon sparred. “Here’s a thought,” I said. “You’re way ahead of the other papers because you were actually here when the body was found. Can’t you work the story from that point of view? You were here and you’ll have all the latest information first.”
“You know, Pamela, that’s not a bad idea.” She glanced toward the cellar door and looked as though she was beginning to write the story in her mind. I hoped that would keep her occupied for a few minutes.
“Chris,” I said quietly, “let’s find out if the police will talk to us.”
He nodded. Turning to Big D, Chris spoke softly. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but Davey nodded and began talking to Sharon while Chris took my hand and pulled me along behind him.
“What did you say to Davey?” I asked.
“I suggested he ask Sharon to go to dinner with him. That should keep them both busy for a while. Although,” Chris said thoughtfully, “Big D is kind of cream puff compared to that dizzy broad.”
“Please don’t use the word broad. But a date was good thinking on your part.”
“The term dizzy broad dates back to the nineteen forties and – ”
“I know, but times have changed. You’re not a P.I. and this is a new millennium.”
Chris laughed. “After only one year we’re acting like an old married couple. You’re getting bossy.”
I smiled. “I guess the honeymoon is over and you’re beginning to see the real me.”
Chris snorted. “You think bossy is going to work with me?”
“No, but our marriage is a partnership, so I figure I should give it a good try.”
By that time we’d reached the cellar door and a cop was coming up the stairs. He blinked a couple of times before looking at us.
“It’s bright up here after spending time using flashlights in the dark cellar,” he said, seeming to feel like he needed to explain.
“Did you find anything else?” I asked.
“No. The homicide detective should be here any minute. We can’t really do any digging, or much of anything else, until he gets here. I can’t help but wonder if there’s at least one more body down there.”
I liked this cop. He was chatty, and that’s what we were hoping for, someone who’d share with us. I couldn’t remember if he was Seevers or Small. Then I remembered he was Seevers. When we’d met, I found it interesting that Small was a big galoot. I rolled my eyes, realizing that I was beginning to sound like Chris. Galoot?
“You mean because of the other slab of cement?” Chris asked.
“Yeah,” Seevers replied. “This may turn out to be an old case, but it could also turn out to be interesting.”
“Did you find anything else down there in the way of clues?” I asked.
“We found … Uh, here comes the detective. I didn’t expect them to send her, but… You’ll have to excuse me.” He turned and walked toward the street to meet a woman in a suit. I’d assumed it would be a man, but this was definitely a woman. And she didn’t look happy.
As they approached us I could hear her complaining. “I know I’m new as a homicide detective, but you’d think they could give me something juicier than a bunch of old bones.”
She saw us and stopped talking, turning to confer quietly with Officer Seevers. Approaching us, she held out her hand. “I’m Detective Riley. Before I go down to the basement, would you please tell me what transpired here?” She narrowed her eyes at Chris and gave him a questioning look but said nothing further.
He curled his upper lip under, leaned back slightly and hooked his thumbs in his pockets, and I knew the Bogey Man would be speaking, not my husband. His explanation was colorful, to say the least, and she didn’t interrupt his story or ask questions.
While she watched him, I watched her. She appeared to be in her mid to late forties and had short, dark hair with premature beginnings of grey. She looked like she took good care of herself, and she still had a nice, trim figure. She scratched the back of her neck, pulled on her ear lobe and finally crossed her arms while she listened. She uncrossed her arms and pulled on her ear lobe again. I got the feeling that she might be nervous. Maybe this was one of her first cases as a new homicide detective.
Chris finished speaking and she thanked him, turning to me. “Can you add anything to that?” she asked.
“Not really. That’s about all we know. There’s a dead body in the cellar of the house we just bought to convert into a restaurant, and I’m not at all convinced this will be good for business. And just so you now, there’s a nosey reporter here who was with us when we discovered the bones. And she’s hungry for a story. She’s a really pushy woman, so watch out for her. Our dogs actually tipped us off that something was down there. Their names are Sherlock and Watson. If there’s anything we can do to help, just say the word.”
Her lips twitched. I couldn’t tell what that might mean. She put her hand to her mouth and cleared her throat. Had she almost laughed at us? I wouldn’t blame her if she had.
“Thank you both for your input,” she said. “And thanks for brightening my day. Now I guess I’ll take a look at your basement.” She turned and left us standing by the door to the cellar after turning and taking a good look at Chris.
“Did she make you nervous?” Chris asked. “I’ve never heard you run your mouth like that.”
“I didn’t know what to say, so I tried to cram it all into one explanation. She probably thinks I’m some kind of nut.”
Chris smiled his best Bogey smile at me and all was right with the world. “Come on.” He pulled me forward and we sat down on the top step of the stairs, trying to hear what was going on below us. We couldn’t understand a word.
The police department’s technicians showed up and we moved so they could enter the cellar. We heard noises and Detective Riley joined us upstairs.
“What’s all that noise?” I asked.
“They’re breaking up the other slab to see what’s underneath. It seemed too coincidental that there were two slabs. We’ll be doing some further digging in your basement, too.”
Chris nodded. “You honestly think there might be another body?”
“No telling,” she replied. “We’ll certainly find out. Do you know anything about this house?”
“Like what?” I asked.
“Like who owned it before you. Or if it was ever used as a rental. Anything at all.”
“I think the previous owner’s name might be on the paperwork we received, but my understanding is that it was some guy who bought it as an investment. It didn’t work out and the house went into foreclosure. That’s when we bought it. I don’t know who owned it before him,” I said.
“Okay, I’m heading back downstairs. You can go home if you want to, but leave your phone number and address with Officer Small. We’ll be in touch.”
She started to walk away, but stopped to turn and look at Chris again. “Have we met before? You look familiar.”
“I don’t think so,” Chris replied. “I have one of those faces that everyone thinks they’ve seen before.”
She shrugged and headed back toward the cellar.
“We might as well leave,” I said.
“Uh huh. You can go home if you want to, but I’m going to stay and see if they dig up another body,” Chris said.
“Maybe I’ll just stay with you.”
Chapter Six
Sharon walked over to me with Big D trailing behind her. He was grinning, so I guessed that she must have agreed to go out with him.
“What’s going on down there?” Sharon asked.
“I have no idea. They said we could go home though, so we’re going to get our things together and head out,” I lied. “I think I left my purse in the house. You might as well leave, too. We’ll let you know what happens as soon a
s we know anything.”
“Sure you will.” Suspicion laced her words.
“No. I really will. We need you to give everything a good spin, so I need to stay on your good side.” I mentally rolled my eyes for doing some spinning of my own.
Sharon handed me her business card after writing something on the back. “This has my cell phone number on it. Davey and I are going out this evening, so call me on the cell if you find out anything. Remember, you need me.”
Chris raised an eyebrow, but kept his mouth closed. I almost said something, but he nudged me and shook his head.
Sharon and Big D left while I pretended to search for my purse. “I’ll call you,” I yelled out the door of the house.
As soon as they were out of sight, Chris and I repositioned ourselves on the top stair step. We could hear all kinds of noises and talking, but we still couldn’t tell what was happening. I left Chris keeping watch and went into the house for another look around.
I closed my eyes and tried to envision the restaurant. It was awesome, and it had ambience. The floors had been refinished and the paint and wallpaper worked together to create a taste of the World War II years. I could almost hear the band playing. My eyes popped open when I realized there were no people sitting at the tables. My heart pounded and I hoped against hope that Sharon really could help us. I resolved to be nice to her.
Leaving the house and returning to the cellar door, I saw Chris moving out of the way and Detective Riley coming up the stairs. My steps quickened as I hurried to see if they’d found anything – or anyone – else.
“Well, Detective?” Chris asked. “Did you find anything?”
“No. I can’t imagine what purpose the other slab might have served. It was simply a slab of cement and nothing more. However, the techs are going to do more digging before we leave. We did find a wallet under the body, or skeleton, as the case may be. It was well-preserved and had an old driver’s license in it.” She started to walk away from us.
“Wait,” I said. “Who was it?”
“I can’t tell you that at this time. We’ll have to do some research to be sure that’s who’s actually buried in your basement,” Detective Riley replied. “I will tell you there was a page from a letter folded up in the wallet, and it was dated 1942.”
