“The bones are on your property,” he said, turning to Skye. “I think it is only right that you decide the next steps. We can fill inthe hole, no problem, or I can ask someone from the police authority in Chora to collect the remains and conduct some tests.”
“You think we should call the police?”
“I think that we can, but also, we do not have to.Éla, it is your decision.”
Joy gingerly stepped over a puddle.
“I guess it comes down to whether you want to know or if you’re happy to let sleeping bones lie,” she said. “If it was me, I know what I’d do.”
Skye looked at her with quiet interest.
“I’d want to know,” her friend confirmed.
“Hey, guys.”
They all spun round to see Victoria approaching from the side of the house, immaculate in lilac leggings and matching crop top, her hair pulled back in a swinging ponytail. Adam trailed a few paces behind, looking sunburned and slightly disheveled in a crumpled shirt.
“We saw you out of our bedroom window,” she said. “Figured you’d found something.”
Andreas moved aside so they could peer down into the hole.
“Oh my God.” Victoria gasped. “Are those— Is that part of a skeleton?”
Adam crouched only to slip. He pitched forward, both palms splaying in the mud.
“You klutz,” Victoria chided.
“I’ll go and wash up.” Adam bounced back onto his feet. “Get my camera while I’m at it. May as well get a photo of these—that’s if it’s OK with you, Skye?”
“No worries,” she said distractedly.
“I wonder if there is any kind of grave marker?” Joy mused. “If these are human bones, surely whoever it was would’ve had a monument of some sort?”
Andreas turned over one of the fallen stones with the toe of his boot.
“Most of these were part of the wall,” Skye said, “but you’re right, we should have a look.”
She, Mia, and Andreas moved among the stones, checking each one for a name or date, but none showed any sign of an engraving.
“A secret grave, then,” Victoria said in awe. “Maybe the bloodstain on that saber Dusty found belonged to whoever is buried here?”
“Or whatever,” Mia cut in. “It could easily be animal.”
“A sacrificial lamb,” Victoria cried. “Or a chicken!”
Mia frowned.
“They’re definitely not bird bones—that I can say for certain.”
Adam returned with his camera, and they all moved to allow him space. Skye’s fingers toyed with a fraying thread on her shorts, as if the right decision might unravel with it.
“You look troubled,” Andreas said, coming to stand beside her with his back to the others.
“I am,” she concurred.
“What is the thing that is worrying you the most?”
Where to start…
