Free Marja McGraw - Bogey Man 04 - Awkward Moments by Marja McGraw Page A

could have fingerprints on it.
    “Are you people going to be sticking around for a while?” Jimmy asked.
    “Yes, we’re still on vacation, although it’s sure been a weird one so far.” I reached up and pushed a stray strand of hair out of my face.
    “Good, because I’d rather you don’t leave town until I get this figured out. After all, your family was here when Charlie was murdered. Obviously you had nothing to do with old Henry’s death, but…” He didn’t finish his sentence, nor did he need to.
    “We’re not going anywhere. You don’t really think we had anything to do with Charlie’s death, do you?”
    “No, I can’t say I do. But just the same, please stick around.” He turned and headed for his patrol car, and when he left he didn’t look back.
    I let Mikey take the dogs outside with the warning not to go near the grave site. Chris, Bill and I sat down in the living room to talk. We needed to fill Bill in about what had been happening.
    While the brothers talked, Chris doing most of the speaking, I took a peek outside. Of course Mikey and the dogs were over at the grave checking things out. I left them alone because I figured Jimmy and Doc had found everything there was to find, and there was no longer a dead body for my son to examine. Besides, I knew there was no way I could keep the dogs away.
    Bill stood after hearing our story and began pacing the living room. “You mean to tell me there was gold and silver buried with the old guy and the whole town knows about it?”
    “Yeah. And it looks like there’s going to be one heck of a treasure hunt around here. Stu said a few years back someone found one gold coin and the whole town went nuts searching for more.” Chris had a half grin on his face. “However, it’s not going to matter. According to old Henry’s will, Ace inherits everything.”
    “ Ace? ”
    “Yeah. In a nutshell, the will said if old Henry’s wife was gone, then whoever found his body would inherit the treasure.”
    Bill ran his hands through his hair. “Ace? You’re sure about that? And how am I going to keep these people off my property?”
    Chris nodded in reference to Mikey being the beneficiary and glanced out the window at him. “Short of walking the property line with a gat over your shoulder, I have no idea.”
    “Gat? Gat? What’s a gat?”
    “A gun,” I said. “Although I think he was actually referring to a rifle.”
    “Yeah, like I’m going to walk around carrying a rifle.” Bill had mussed his perfect hair style, but I decided it might be prudent not to mention it. He had a little bit of the Alfalfa hairdo at the moment, with strands sticking straight up in the air.
    Chris stood and began pacing opposite his brother. “Listen, bucko, we’re supposed to be here on vacation, celebrating me adopting Ace. How do you think we feel? So far this hasn’t been very relaxing. Pamela and I thought we’d get away from the restaurant for a few days and leave civilization behind. Instead we find an old stiff, a new stiff, and a town full of greedy, gold-hungry people.”
    “And don’t forget about the Police Chief having a heart attack here,” I added.
    “You’re not helping, cupcake.” Chris sounded angry, but I was pretty sure I wasn’t the object of his ire. “And now that I think about the will, I think we’d better keep a close eye on Ace. Who knows what these people are capable of?”
    “Well, I’m staying,” Bill said. “I told Stephanie I wouldn’t be home until we had this straightened out. Plus, I think you’re right about keeping an eye on Ace, and I can help watch him.” He stopped pacing and stood with his feet apart and a grim look on his face.
    “You go ahead and cool your heels, but we’re going to finish our vacation and we’re going to have a good time. You can join us or you can take a hike.” Chris turned and stomped out the front door. The screen door creaked and slammed behind him.
    Bill and I looked at each other.