Page 46 of You'll Be Sorry

“In the five days we’ve lived here? No. But we know this property has always drawn outsiders. I think…I think homeless or poor or whatever, this wasn’t the girl’s first time visiting.”

“Why?”

“I just do.” Upon returning to the house, Raquel had found herself heading straight for the hand-painted murals in the children’s rooms. They’d always struck her as something a teenage girl might create. Thinking of the forlorn boot, then studying the delicately shaded woodland creatures, it’d felt like a match. Girl with the boot equaled girl with the brush. Though she hardly had anything concrete to base it upon.

“If Mr. Man was her dog, it might explain how well he knew our home,” Theo allowed, hand on the steering wheel. Raquel understood his pause. Explain the dog knowing the house, sure, but to immediately make a beeline for a well/grave that didn’t exist on any map? The past twenty-four hours had been incredibly unsettling. Andnow this—they were off to the Shereford PD for the great pottery unveiling.

“Why the rush to unseal the crockery thing?” Raquel asked, buckling her seat belt.

“Contextual data. Apparently, dating the bones is pretty expensive and time-consuming. As that’ll take a bit, the anthro is a big fan of gathering whatever additional information we can. Not to mention that guy from the historical society…Mason? Man has a positive hard-on for that crockery. Why, if he could just have a moment alone with it to whisper sweet nothings…”

Raquel found herself smiling. Leave it to Theo to be wildly inappropriate if not downright adolescent when she needed it most.

“But as the earthenware is part of what may or may not become an active investigation, Mason isn’t allowed to seize it on behalf of the antiquities-minded citizens of the town,” Theo continued. “Chief Grady negotiated a compromise—she’s transporting the sealed container to her office for inspection. Mason and the other lady—Betty?—will assist with the historic preservation piece while Grady provides official oversight.”

As a something-for-everyone sort of deal, that was particularly well played, Raquel thought. “What about the bones expert?”

“Staying at the well. Have you ever heard of wet screening? Apparently, that’s the next step. Sounds cool.”

“Every boyhood crime-solving fantasy you’ve ever had coming to life?” Raquel teased.

“You know, not a single one of them is wearing a superhero cape. Very disappointing.”

Raquel reached over and touched his hand as he fired their vehicle to life.

“I’m sorry about the dog,” she offered softly.

But Theo being Theo didn’t appear bothered at all. “Don’t be. Ifyour suspicions are true, it’s only a matter of time before we see my man again.”

I love you so, so much, Raquel thought. Then turned away before Theo could see the fear in her eyes.

Theo and Raquel had driven by the Shereford Town PD before, a dark cranberry bungalow that not only fit the historic Main Street vibe but also practically screamed, “Even our law enforcement is quaint and adorable.” They’d never stepped inside, however, which made Raquel genuinely curious. She could tell by the extra bounce in Theo’s step he was also excited. For a numbers guy who spent most of his time sitting behind a desk, he loved anything that spoke of action or drama. She’d once asked him what he’d do if he ever got tired of making a fortune in finance. He’d answered Hollywood producer. Which could still well be in the cards.

Now he paused to run his fingertips admiringly across the intricately carved details on the heavy wooden door before pushing it open.

“As the saying goes, they just don’t make things like they used to.”

“Including hand-dug wells,” Raquel added dryly.

But Theo had a point, as the door swept open to reveal gleaming hardwoods, impressive crown molding, and gorgeous mullioned windows overlooking the river that bisected town.

“Not your father’s police station,” Theo whispered.

Raquel merely nodded. As she’d never met her father, that was quite possible.

They passed through a small foyer to enter the main room, which was dominated by a giant L-shaped desk and a wall of black metal filing cabinets. Definitely more institutional in appearance, given the two computer monitors and executive desk chairs.

No one was seated at the moment. Instead, Chief Grady wasstanding before a bank of bay windows, with two practically levitating senior citizens. The historical society members, she deduced.

All were staring down at the floor, where a blue tarp had been spread out. Peering between their legs, Raquel could make out a distinct round-shaped object that had definitely seen better days. The crockery. It was much larger than she’d expected, the size of a large stew pot. True to Theo’s original description, it was capped with a lid that appeared to be coated with some kind of thick substance.

All three turned slightly at Theo and Raquel’s arrival, then went back to the matters at hand.

“Could be pine tar,” Mason was saying, pointing at the sealant. “Or bee’s wax, which was more common for food products.”

“Only one way to find out.” The gray-haired female, sounding chipper.

“I brought the toolbox,” Mason declared.