Free The Haunted Bones (A Lin Coffin Mystery Book 3) by J A Whiting

physical exertion so late in the day. They walked for a few more minutes and halted when they saw lights flickering between some trees.
    Viv grabbed Lin’s arm. “What’s that?” she whispered.
    Lin tugged on Viv’s arm pulling her down into a squatting position. “Let’s stay low so we can’t be seen.” She squinted trying to make out any movement up ahead in the woods. Nicky stood next to the girls, staring towards the lights.
    “Is there a road over there?” Viv kept her voice soft. “Are the lights just headlights passing by?”
    “There’s a trail there. It’s wide. I think it’s used as a fire lane in case of a fire in the woods. It leads to a main road.”
    As they watched, the headlights went out.
    Lin watched for movement. “There are a number of mausoleums over there. Someone could be robbing the crypts and carrying the bones to the car. Maybe they’re doing it right now. Let’s get closer.”
    Viv touched Lin’s shoulder. “We’re not going to confront them, are we?”
    “No, if things look amiss we can call the police.” Lin led the way to the tree line and they approached slowly and as quietly as they could.
    “I don’t see anything,” Viv said. “I don’t see anyone moving around near the mausoleums.”
    “I don’t either.” Lin stepped behind a large tree trunk and peered around it. “The car is still there though. Let’s get closer to it.”
    Shielded by some trees, the girls stopped just a few yards from the vehicle. Someone was moving around inside. Viv gripped her cousin’s arm as they tried to see what the person was doing. Suddenly Viv let out a yip and slid to the ground. Lin wheeled and knelt to see what was wrong with her cousin.
    Viv had her hand over her mouth.
    “What’s wrong?” Lin asked with concern, but then realized that Viv was giggling.
    Viv gestured towards the car. “It’s a couple. They’re making out in the car.” She couldn’t hold in her laughter. Gales of giggles danced on the air and were so contagious that Lin started to laugh at the situation. Nicky joined in with several loud woofs.
    The car’s engine started up and the car screeched into reverse and hurtled away.
    Between guffaws, Viv managed to say, “Guess we ruined their night.”

12
    A fter Lin and Viv recovered from their laughing fit, they sat on the ground beneath the trees with Nicky resting on the grass in front of them. The night air was warm and pleasant and the cloud cover was breaking up allowing some light from the stars and moon to filter down between the branches.
    “Those poor teenagers.” Viv still had a huge smile on her face. “We must have frightened them.”
    The tension and worry of the past few days drained away as the girls chatted about things unrelated to bones and graves and unoccupied houses. The strong wind was dying down to just a gentle breeze that rustled the leaves overhead. The night sounds of insects calling to one another filled the air with chirps and clicks and buzzing.
    Viv leaned back against the tree trunk and yawned. “What a beautiful evening. I could fall asleep sitting right here on the grass.”
    Lin took in a long relaxing breath and looked out over the dark cemetery.
    “Shall we head home before I doze off?” Viv yawned again.
    When the girls stood up, Lin shivered in the cool night air. She rubbed her hands over her arms to warm them.
    Viv eyed her cousin. “Are you cold?”
    “A little.” Lin’s eyes went wide and she slowly shifted her gaze from side to side.
    “Do you see something?” Viv moved a step closer and took quick glances over her shoulders.
    The dog whined and wagged his little tail. Lin followed the direction the dog was facing. Something shimmered by some gravestones and a form took shape. Emily Coffin stood transparent in her long dress with the high collar, her hair up in a loose bun. She raised her arm and pointed.
    “You see something, don’t you?” Viv whispered. She huddled close to Lin.
    Lin gave a