Page 15 of Buried Secrets

“It’s not generosity, it’s practicality,” Amy countered. “You’ll be working with the archives, which means you’ll be here most days anyway. Why waste money staying in a hotel when you can spread out here and not have to eat out at every meal? Besides, having someone else on the property at night isn’t the worst idea, given recent developments. You’d be my neighbor.”

The suggestion made immediate sense. The Harbor Inn was consuming a sizable portion of Kaitlin’s funds each night. More importantly, staying on the property would give her unlimited access.

“If you’re certain it wouldn’t be an imposition,” she said, “I’d be grateful for the accommodation.”

“It’s settled then.” Amy’s decisive tone suggested she wasn’t one to second-guess her decisions. “You can move in tomorrow. I’ll have it cleaned today.”

“Thank you,” Kaitlin said, genuinely touched by the unexpected kindness. “That will be tremendously helpful.”

Amy waved away the gratitude. “Just keep the historical society off my back about those records, and we’ll call it even.” She hesitated, then added, “And about Matt. He’s actually a good guy when he’s not being overprotective of the entire island.”

Kaitlin raised an eyebrow. “He seems to have appointed himself my personal shadow.”

“He knows you’re hiding something,” Amy said bluntly.

For yet a second time, Kaitlin was caught off guard. She met Amy’s gaze steadily. “My client likes to keep his research confidential.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“No,” Kaitlin agreed. “I can tell it’s not.”

They regarded each other in silence for a moment, then Amy unexpectedly laughed. “I think I’m going to like you, Kaitlin Mathews. You don’t bullshit.”

“I try not to.” Kaitlin felt an unexpected warmth toward this straightforward, no-nonsense woman. “Life’s too short for unnecessary deception.”

“But necessary deception is still on the table?” Amy’s eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Always,” Kaitlin answered with a slight smile. “Essential survival skill.”

Amy nodded approvingly. “See? We’re going to get along just fine.” She glanced at her watch. “I should get back to the contractor before he gets tied up. Tomorrow at nine sound good?”

“I’ll be here,” Kaitlin confirmed. “Thank you again for the cottage offer. That’s a significant help.”

“Don’t thank me yet. The cottage has its own quirks,” Amy warned, heading back toward the mansion door. “The hot water takes forever, the floorboards creak like they’re being tortured, and I’m pretty sure there’s a family of chipmunks living under the porch that my little dog Ollie is determined to eat. But it’s free, and it’s private.”

“Sounds perfect,” Kaitlin said, and meant it.

“See you tomorrow, then,” Amy called over her shoulder as she disappeared back into the mansion.

Kaitlin remained on the veranda for a moment longer. Things were progressing faster than she’d dared to hope. She smiled to herself as she took a last look around, feeling a chill not caused by the cooling air.

Chapter 5

The morning air carried a sharp bite, the first real chill of autumn. He had arrived early and was surprised to find the team already at work. They’d been at it for nearly three hours, having started at first light.

Matt zipped his jacket higher, breath fogging as he watched the search team methodically traverse the mansion’s eastern garden. He was cold and his night’s sleep was interrupted by racing thoughts. Ms. Mathews had copied him on her email to the historical society outlining her resume and credentials. She was seriously educated, and he had been reluctantly impressed. But it all still didn’t line up for him, this historian on his island.

He forced his attention back to the activity across the lawn. Four technicians in navy windbreakers moved in a tight grid pattern, one pushing the ground-penetrating radar unit—a device that resembled an oversized lawnmower—while another monitored readings on a tablet. The remaining two marked areas of interest with small yellow flags.

Matt checked his watch. The initial scan had already marked two anomalies for further investigation.

“Sheriff?” The team leader, Hansen, approached, rubbing his gloved hands together for warmth. “We’ve completed the eastern quadrant. You want to see what we’ve got so far?”

Matt nodded, following Hansen to where a folding table had been set up near the team’s van. The monitor displayed a collection of gray-scale images that meant little to Matt’s untrained eye.

“These lighter areas here,” Hansen pointed to several blob-like shapes on the screen, “represent density changes approximately four to five feet below surface level. Size and configuration are consistent with human burials.”

“How certain are you?” Matt asked, studying the indistinct shapes.