Free The Skeleton Haunts a House by Leigh Perry

mouth the word “stall” at a couple of the actors, who nodded and slowed to a snail’s pace.
    As soon as the cop was out of sight, Deborah said, “Madison, go halfway up and let us know when he’s coming back. I’m hoping he’ll stay up there to help search bags, but I can’t be sure. I’ve got more people coming in as distractions, so I’ll wait here. Georgia, you remember how we went last night?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œGo back through the control booth, and then turn right instead of going straight to get to the room on the end of thebuilding. That’s got to be where Sid is hiding. And make it snappy!”
    â€œGot it!” The room where Deborah had sent me had a big sign on the wall—
Detention
—and was lined with cages. First up were cages inhabited by starved-looking mannequins clinging to the bars, then desiccated mannequins collapsed on the floor, partially denuded mannequins with red-eyed rubber rats in attendance, and finally, several cages of skeletons. Most of the cages had a single inhabitant, but the one on the end had two skeletons inside.
    No wonder Deborah had sent me there—it was hard to beat the purloined letter approach.
    â€œSid!” I said.
    Neither skeleton moved.
    â€œSid, it’s me. Pull yourself together and we’ll get you out of here.” Still no movement. “Sid?” Surely nothing could have happened to him. As long as his bones were intact, he should be okay. Shouldn’t he?
    I started to reach for him, but something touched my back and I yelped and jerked around. Sid was standing beside me. Grinning. Of course, he was always grinning, but this time it was wider than usual.
    â€œGeorgia, why are you talking to a prop?”
    â€œI wasn’t—”
    â€œYou thought that was me, didn’t you? You know somebody over twenty years—
twenty years
—and she doesn’t even recognize you!”
    â€œIt’s dark in here!” I said, though it really wasn’t. “Besides, you have to admit that guy looks a lot like you.”
    â€œPlease tell me you’re kidding! Not only is that thing cheap plastic, not only is the spine one solid piece, not only is it a color not found in nature—”
    â€œSid, you’re not exactly found in nature, either.”
    He ranted on as if I hadn’t interrupted.
    â€œEven if you ignore that,
that
is a female skeleton!” He pulled it out with a look of disgust, then shoved it into the cage from which he’d emerged. “Here’s your room back, sweetie.”
    â€œShall I leave the two of you together, or are you ready to go home?”
    â€œHome, please. She’s a lousy conversationalist.”
    I unzipped the canvas duffel and laid it flat on the floor. Deborah had been careful. Even with the clothes in there, there was room for Sid.
    He stepped into the center of it, then fell apart in an orderly fashion. One finger bone landed outside the bag, but his other hand reached outside to grab it and put it inside. Then he zipped himself in.
    It would have been fascinating to watch if we hadn’t been in a hurry.
    â€œWhere’s your phone?” I asked.
    â€œIt’s in my skull.”
    Of course it was. I hefted the bag onto my shoulder. Sid’s bones only weigh about twenty pounds, but added to the contents already there, it made a lot to carry. “Can you keep from rattling? I don’t want anybody getting suspicious.”
    â€œOf course.”
    I’m not sure how he prevented it, but since I’m not really sure how Sid does any of the things he does, that was no big surprise.
    I retraced my steps and just as I rejoined Deborah, Madison came down the stairs. “He’s on his way back,” she said. “Did you get Sid?”
    â€œI’m in here,” Sid said cheerfully.
    â€œShhh,” I said, and poked the bag. I thought I heard a muttered “ow,” but as