The Wrong Bones (Widow's Island #10)(8)

“I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

“Of course.” Lillian stepped back and gestured for Tessa to enter. “Please come in.”

They walked back to a sunroom. Walls of glass overlooked the graveyard.

“Can I get you coffee or iced tea?”

“No, thank you.” Tessa sat on a wicker sofa. A lean, muscular dog lifted its head and gave her a side-eye before getting up and shuffling over for a head scratch.

“That’s Einstein.”

Tessa rubbed the dog’s ear. He leaned into her hand. “What kind of dog is he?”

“Who knows? The vet thinks he’s a pit-bull-and-sight-hound cross of some sort.” Lillian lifted a shoulder. “He’s my running buddy. I feel safer living alone with a dog in the house.”

“Do you not feel safe living here?”

“I don’t know many people. I only moved here over the summer.”

“Not many people move to Widow’s.”

“I’m a sixth-grade science teacher. Your school had an opening.” Lillian followed Tessa’s gaze to the graveyard. “People think I’m crazy for buying a house next to the cemetery, but it’s quiet. I never have issues with those neighbors.” Her blue eyes sparkled with humor as she eased into a wicker rocker. “The house was a really good deal, and I’m not afraid of ghosts. It’s the living who will hurt you.”

“Can’t argue with that,” Tessa said.

“Now, what can I do for you, Deputy Black?”

“Were you home last night?”

“Yes.” Lillian nodded.

“Did you see any unusual activity in the cemetery?”

“I don’t know if I’d call it unusual, but there was activity.” Lillian shifted forward in the rocker. “Some kids were running around with flashlights, like they do.” Her tone was unconcerned.

“You don’t mind?”

Lillian waved. “Not at all. I like kids, and they don’t mean any harm. What’s the point of being kids if you can’t scare each other in the graveyard?”

“Did you see anyone else?” Tessa asked.

“I saw someone walking around the cemetery just after dark. They were carrying a box.”

“Can you describe this person?”

Lillian studied the ceiling. “Tall and thin. Dark, baggy clothes. Hoodie.” She lowered her gaze. “I couldn’t even say for sure if it was a man or woman, but the way they moved made me think it was a young person. I’m sorry. I didn’t really pay that much attention. I thought maybe they were carrying flowers or a grave blanket.”

“That’s a totally reasonable conclusion.”

“But that’s not what they were carrying,” Lillian guessed.

“No.” Tessa hesitated. How much should she tell Lillian? Did it matter? The unusual find would no doubt soon be on the news. Plus, Widow’s Island was a small community. Secrets didn’t remain secret for long. “The box was full of human bones.”

Lillian’s eyebrows rose, but she didn’t appear upset. “I didn’t expect to hear that.”

“It surprised us as well. It seems this person was trying to bury the bones in the cemetery.”

“That’s strange.” Lillian’s face creased.

“Have you noticed any unusual activity around the cemetery lately?”

“Maybe. This road turns into a dirt lane. The house at the dead end is a rental. A couple moved in about a month ago. Einstein and I used to run that lane every morning. One day a few weeks ago, I saw the man watching us through a window.” She shivered. “Now we take a different route.”

“Did they say or do anything to intimidate you?”

“No. But there was something about the way he stared . . .” Lillian hesitated. “It made me very uncomfortable. All the hairs on my neck stood up, and I’m not normally nervous. Anyway, the person in the graveyard could have been him. He’s tall and about my age.”

“Thanks for the information. I didn’t know anyone was living there. If you think of anything else, please call me.” Tessa left her business card on the coffee table.

Lillian followed her to the door. As she stepped outside, Tessa heard the sound of an axe hitting wood. She glanced back at Lillian. “I thought you lived alone.”

Lillian blushed. “That’s my brother. He’s just visiting.”

Suspicion crawled up the back of Tessa’s neck. “When did he arrive?”

Lillian glanced away. “I don’t know. A week or so ago.” When she turned back to Tessa, she didn’t quite meet her eyes. “I don’t remember exactly.”

But Tessa could see the lie in her eyes. Lillian remembered but didn’t want to say.

“What’s his name?”

Lillian’s jaw shifted back and forth. “Duncan.”

Tessa waved goodbye, then started around the house after Duncan. When she reached the backyard, a tall man was positioning a log upright on a stump. He lifted an axe and swung it downward in a smooth arc. The log split, the pieces falling to the ground.

“Hello? Duncan?” Tessa called out.

He lowered the axe, but he clenched the handle tight enough to whiten his knuckles.