Page 33 of The Asylum
“You realise, Detective Maines, those victims out there now have names. This lot may also contain DNA that you can link to the bones and existing families,” I said.
I rattled the box, and Maines looked down. He almost flinched at the sight of earrings, necklaces, and locks of hair kept in tiny bags.
“I don’t know if I’ll have the resources,” he murmured.
“Oh, you’ll have the money, trust me,” Callie promised, and Sunny reached out and squeezed her.
“Definitely,” Sunny agreed.
“Sorry, but I can’t magic funding out of thin air,” Maines replied with a tired smile.
“I can do whatever I wish. I’m rich as Midas. This is a drop in the ocean for my inheritance. Detective Maines, I request DNA tests be run and matched to the bones so we can provide them with proper graves and gravestones. If they’ve any family left, they deserve to know,” Callie stated emphatically.
“Then those lost souls may finally find peace and rest,” I added.
Callie nodded. “What Jack said.”
“Monday at the latest, Miss Sinclair, please. I need to return to my team. If you all don’t mind, I’ll see you all sometime later tonight,” Maines said.
“Let’s get an early bedtime. It’s only an hour till we break anyway,” Callie suggested.
“No probs,” Harry replied with a yawn.
I joined him, though I’d never felt so exhausted.
Callie - Friday
I woke up feeling tired. This had been a disturbing investigation. I’d had several nightmares, which had jolted me awake. Women had been screaming, and in one, a faceless man had chased me. Rubbing my eyes, I was surprised to see that Sunny was already up.
“Did I oversleep?” I asked, noting he’d showered and dressed.
“No, I let you sleep an extra hour. You needed it, babe, you had a rough night,” Sunny responded, handing me a decaffeinated coffee. It was all I was allowed to drink nowadays. Somehow, I’d tricked my mind into thinking it was the real thing.
“Thanks. I’ve got to get the teams organised for tonight, I will shower, and I shall meet you on the tour bus,” I said.
“I’ll wait,” Sunny replied, and I eyed him suspiciously.
“What’s going on?”
“That asshole owner has been around and thrown his weight about. Tried ordering the cops off his land and was really pissed when he was informed it was a crime scene.”
“Do you think he knew?” I asked, appalled.
“Yeah. The way he’s acting is suspicious, babe. Fucker went straight to the cemetery. He took a direct path, which meant he knew it was there.”
“Damn. What a bastard. First, he allows investigative teams that torment and rile the spirits, and he’s been hiding the graves? What type of man does that?”
“A greedy one. Come on, honey, let’s face the day. Don’t go anywhere without an escort,” Sunny warned.
???
The warning was unnecessary because as we left the RV, the asshole owner, Peppin, hurried over.
“How dare you investigate over there!” he yelled. Maines rounded the tour bus and paused. “I demand you leave my land.”
“No. You signed a contract so that we can stay until Monday morning. We won’t be leaving,” I replied.
“You fucking well are, you bitch,” Peppin hissed.
