JET AND BLAST CASTLE

Following a white SUV off the freeway, Jet slowed for the castle driveway, noting the SUV made the same turn. Approaching the mansion she noticed someone standing near the road, beckoning to the driver, hand-signaling it toward the evergreen grove. Among the trees she could see a larger truck. Another SUV sat in the circular driveway where she stopped her car. What’s going on? In the house near the grand staircase Latte stood holding a tall noble fir slightly off kilter while Nathan fastened it to the tree stand. Landon and Logan, positioned a few feet back, made hand and arm signals for straightening it. When Jet entered they came running to her. “Someone’s buried in the woods,” Landon informed her. “We found it.” Logan finished. Jet glanced at Latte for confirmation. “Apparently,” she nodded, the tree becoming further askew. “Dead?” Jet asked the stupid question. Nathan stuck his head out from under the boughs. “Naw, someone just misplaced a few bones. We’ll give them back as soon as we find out who they belong to.” Latte shook her head and rolled her eyes. Jet shuddered. “I’m going to take these upstairs then go put my car away.” As she descended the stairs Billy Monk came through the door. “What’s all the fuss? There’s a boatload of police in the driveway.” Outside Jet verified his observation. One in the driveway directing traffic, another stood guard near the crime scene tape strung around the grove of trees. To put her car away Jet needed to return to Gravelly Lake Drive then take the next passage to the west and circle the estate. Flagging her down, the policeman took her name for his record before allowing her to leave. With her car in the garage she returned to the house along the path through the rose garden, where blossoms bobbed in the breeze. She met Kinsey in the entrance passage, looking like Garfield-the-cat-met-the-dog with his hair frazzled and a thwarted expression on his face. “Do you know who it is?” “No,” he barked. “It’s probably been there longer than I’ve been alive.” Wishful thinking she figured. “What are they doing?” “Digging.” “Are you worried?” “Why should I be worried?” Kinsey scowled. “I didn’t bury someone in the yard.” You wouldn’t know it from the looks of you, Jet thought, but wisely kept her mouth shut. He held the door open for her. “I’m going to call Dad. I think he needs to hear about this before the police jump him.” The moment they entered the house, the twins came running to Kinsey. “Where are the decorations?” Landon demanded. Kinsey paused to survey the tree. “That’s a good question. Why don’t you give me until after dinner? The tree needs to rest a while anyway.” “That long,” Logan complained. Kinsey patted him on the head and turned to Jet. “Dare I ask if you’d be interested in coming with me later to get some things?” “Sure.” She didn’t have anything better to do.