Bodies & Buried Secrets: A Rosewood Place Mystery (Rosewood Place Mysteries Book 1) by Ruby Blaylock Page B

the building through the loose board, surely the person in the barn would have, too, unless they were hurt, or dead.
    Rory thought for a moment before he replied. “I would have said maybe it was a homeless person, except the clothes didn’t look like a homeless person’s clothes to me. And did you see the aviator’s watch? If I had to guess, I’d say that was a man’s skeleton in there, and probably a middle-class one, too. I don’t know of many homeless guys that wear chinos.”
    Annie turned this over in her mind as she walked into the kitchen. She was immediately distracted by the scent of fried potatoes and cornbread. Her mother bustled around the kitchen, singing to herself and cheerfully in her element, despite the fact that she’d discovered a dead body in this very room barely twelve hours before.
    “Oh, you two are just in time! I just pulled the cornbread out and the potatoes are still hot. Now, I don’t have any meat, mind you, but I did slice up a cucumber and tomato for a nice little salad. I wish I’d have had time for beans,” she sighed, “but that dreadful mess with the police this morning took longer than I expected. Still, it’s better than nothing, I suppose.”
    Annie grinned. “Mother, you are something else, do you know that? I thought you were holding off on supper until the police were finished?”
    Bessie blushed, caught in her fib. “Oh, well, I just thought that Devon ought to eat something. He’s a growing boy, after all.” She swiftly changed the subject. “Well, now, hasn’t it been an interesting day around here? Just think of all the exciting stories we’ll have to share with our future guests here at the farm house!”
    Annie washed her hands in the kitchen sink. “Oh, no, you don’t, mother! We’d scare every one of them away if they think this is some kind of slaughterhouse.”
    Rory disagreed. “I don’t know, it might attract more visitors. You know how people love a good scandal, and murder is pretty scandalous.” He took his place at the kitchen sink and washed his hands with the dish soap. After he rinsed them, he reached for a tea towel to dry them and looked solemnly at Bessie.
    “Mrs. Purdy, I think y’all ought to lock this back door tonight. After what happened last night, I wouldn’t feel safe with y’all in here and the house unlocked like that.” He dried his hands as he spoke, twisting the towel up as he spoke. “Annie thinks she’s tough, but whoever killed Suzy probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid at hurting every one of you. Murder might bring in more guests later on, but it’s not something we should take lightly right now.”
    Bessie nodded solemnly. “Yes, Rory, I’d already thought of that.” She wiped her hands on the floral apron she was wearing and reached into a box sitting on the counter beside Rory. “I’m not taking any chances,” she said, pulling out a heavy cast-iron skillet. “This is going upstairs with me,” she continued, giving him a wink. “Just let anyone try to mess with my family and they’ll see how I deal with them.”
    The look in Bessie’s eyes gave Rory little doubt that she meant anything but business. “Now, let’s get you some food. I cooked plenty and I do expect you to eat a little with us. It’s the least I can do after you let us in your camper house this morning.”
    Rory smiled. “I’d be honored, Mrs. Purdy. It smells delicious, and I, for one, am glad you didn’t put off cooking til those nice policemen are all gone.” He said this last part with a heavy hint of sarcasm, and Bessie chuckled.
    “Oh, lordy, I know that Delbert Plemmons isn’t the brightest bulb on the tree, but bless him, I do think he means well. I just don’t care for the way he keeps insinuating that you had something to do with that girl’s murder. After all, it’s not like you had some grudge against her or anything.”
    Annie and Rory looked at each other conspiratorially. Bessie was oblivious, digging plates