'It’s no secret. I told you that.'
'But I didn’t make the connection. I’ve been hearing about you for years. The skeleton man.
Three years ago you were over in Coweta County checking out two skeletons found there. Then there was that body found in the swamps near Valdosta. You were down there too. And that skeleton up near Chattanooga that you—
Joe smiled sardonically. 'Word does get around, doesn’t it? I’d think you’d have better things to talk about. So? Do the stories make me some kind of urban legend?”
“No, just a curiosity. You’re looking for those kids, aren’t you? The ones Fraser killed and then refused to tell where he’d buried them.' He frowned. 'That was almost ten years ago. I’d think you’d give up.'
'Their parents haven’t given up. They want their children home for proper burial.' He looked down at the skeleton. 'Most victims belong to someone somewhere.'
'Yeah.' Bosworth shook his head. 'Kids. I never understand why anyone would kill a kid. It makes me sick.'
'Me too.'
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'I’ve got three kids. I guess I’d feel the same way those parents do. God, I hope I never find out.' Bosworth was silent a moment. 'Those cases must have been closed when Fraser was executed. It’s mighty decent of you to keep trying to find those children on your own time.'
One child. Eve’s child. 'It’s not decent. It’s just something I’ve got to do.' He turned away.
'Thanks for putting up with me, Sheriff. Call me if I can act as liaison between your coroner and the Atlanta PD.'
'I’d appreciate that.'
He started down the cliff and then stopped. To hell with not offending another law officer. The sheriff was clearly out of his depth, and by the time someone knowledgeable came on the scene, it might be too late to save the evidence. 'Could I make a couple of suggestions?'
Bosworth stared at him warily.
'Get someone out here to photograph the body and entire crime scene.”
“I was going to do that.'
'Do it now. I know your guys are doing their best to locate evidence, but they’re probably destroying more than they’re finding. A metal detector should be brought in case there’s any evidence covered by the mud. And get a forensic archaeologist to excavate the skeleton and an entomologist to examine any dead insects or larvae. It’s probably too late for the entomologist, but you can never tell.'
'We don’t have any of those people on our staff.'
'You can hire them from a university. It may save you from having egg on your face later.'
Bosworth thought about it and then said slowly, 'Maybe I’ll do that.”
“It’s up to you.' Joe continued down the hill toward his car parked on the gravel road below.
Another blank; it had been a long shot anyway. But he’d had to check it out. He had to check them all out. Someday he’d get lucky and find Bonnie. He had to find her. He had no choice.
Bosworth stared after Quinn as he walked down the hill. Not a bad guy. A little too cool and contained, but maybe that went with dealing with those scumbags in the city. Thank God, he didn’t have any weirdo’s out here. Just good people trying to lead a good life.
The skeleton man. He hadn’t told the truth. Quinn was more of a legend than a curiosity. He had once been an FBI agent but had quit the Bureau after Fraser was executed. He was now a detective with the Atlanta PD and supposedly a good cop. Tough as nails and squeaky clean.
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disillusionment he had seen in Quinn’s face. He couldn’t be forty yet, but he looked as if he had gone to hell and back.
Bosworth glanced down at the skeleton. This was the kind of thing Quinn faced on a daily basis.
Hell, he even went looking for it. Well, let him have it. Bosworth would be glad to get rid of the skeleton. It wasn’t fair for his people to be drawn into this nasty—
His walkie-talkie buzzed and he pressed the button. 'Bosworth.'
'Quinn!'
Joe looked over his shoulder at Bosworth at the top of the cliff. 'What?”
“Come back up here. My deputy just radioed me that my men on the far ridge have found more bodies.' He paused. 'Well, skeletons.'
Joe tensed. 'How many?'
Bosworth’s plump face had paled in the early morning light, and he looked dazed. 'Eight, so far.
He thinks one of them is a little kid.'
