“Nah, we used to be partners before he retired, and we’re still friends. I’ll get him to call you.”
“Thank you. So, we still have a chance of getting to the bottom of this.”
“If anyone can do it, Hogan can.” Bruce was grinning as he walked back to his squad car.
A short time later, Bruce walked into Harry’s office. “Have you learned how to make good coffee yet?”
“It works for me, Detective,” Harry replied, with a grin. “Congratulations on the promotion, buddy.”
“Thanks. Not sure I’ll ever be as good as you, though.” Bruce walked over, got a cup of coffee, and took a sip as he sat down.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You have good instincts – trust them,” Harry said. “Did you just come for coffee or is there something more?”
“What makes you think there’s more?”
“You’re on duty, and I know you.”
Bruce laughed. “I guess you do know me pretty well.” He took another sip of coffee, then asked, “Do you know Benny Stack?”
“Older man, white hair, glasses, has a farm just outside of town… why do you ask?”
“He’s got a situation,” Bruce said and explained what Benny was dealing with. “The bones kind of look like they’ve been bleached by the sun, lots of dirt on them, almost looks like stains in some places.”
Harry rubbed his chin. “He has no idea at all where the dog is getting them?”
“Not a clue,” Bruce said, shaking his head. “We’ve found no signs of illegal garbage dumping and Wildlife found no evidence of poaching.”
“Well, you’ve covered the most obvious sources.”
“Yeah, but I’m not so good at thinking outside the box – not like you. So, I told Benny I’d contact you. I’m no expert, Hogan, but to me, those bones looked old… really old… and I’m pretty sure they’re human.”
“And…?” Harry prompted.
“Well, suppose they came from the burial site of some serial killer, someone who was never caught… perhaps even took his secret to the grave with him.”
“I doubt that,” Harry said. “But, if they really are as old as you seem to think, they still could have come from an old burial site. Did you check the cemeteries?”
“First place I looked,” Bruce said. “No sign of any disturbance. Will you check into it?”
Harry nodded. “Give me his contact information. I’ll talk to him and look at the bones. We’ll see where it goes from there.”
Bruce handed him a piece of paper as he got to his feet. Crossing the room, he laid down his empty mug and went to the door. “Keep me informed on this one, will you?”
“Yeah,” Harry said absently, “as soon as I know something.”
Bruce smiled to himself as he closed the door behind him. He could almost hear the wheels turning in his old partner’s head.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
