Murder in the Mist by Loretta C. Rogers Page B

then the body would be tagged and given an official ID number. Given time and workload constraints, it could be a week or a month before Mitch received the ME’s report.
    The doctor’s voice interrupted her thinking. “Deputy Carter, if you will, open that larger case and hand me the roll of plastic bags.” He looked at Laura and Phyllis. “All that’s left is to bag the bones so they can be transferred to the laboratory. There’s nothing else for you to do here. I suggest you and your aunt return to town and get some rest. Deputy Carter and I will finish up.”
    Harmon’s voice sounded a bit craggier than usual. “Now, Phyllis, before you go all women’s lib on me, just hear me out. You and the young missy have had a shock. The tide’s running high and swift. I’ll tie your skiff behind my boat and tow ’er in. Let me take the two of you in my boat. ’Sides, it’ll be dark in ’bout an hour.”
    He appeared as surprised as Laura when Phyllis said, “That’s mighty kind of you, Harmon. You’ll get no argument from me.”
    Mitch said, “I’ll walk with you,” but he turned back to ask, “Doc, will you be okay if I leave you alone for a few minutes?”
    Ken Musuyo simply waved and continued about his business of labeling and bagging.
    “Doc, I’ll email the photos to you.”
    “Thanks, Laura. If you can’t sleep, call me and I’ll bring something by to help you relax. You, too, Phyllis.”
    At the water’s edge, Harmon tied Phyllis’s skiff to his boat while Mitch helped Laura and her aunt get aboard. “It may be too late to come by tonight. Tomorrow okay?”
    “Sure.” Laura lowered her voice. “I found an article in one of the old morgue books that might tell us who our girl is.”
    A strong gust of wind swept across the bay, causing waves to rock the boat. Harmon called, “Hold on, ladies. Looks like we’re in for a rough ride.”
    Laura glanced over her shoulder, but Mitch no longer stood on the shore. Her mind was so consumed with this chance discovery that it was hours before she realized how deeply this ordeal had shaken her.

Chapter Twelve
    Sunday morning, Laura helped her aunt fill the dishwasher. It was routine to partake of a large home-cooked breakfast, skip lunch, then have an early dinner at one of the local restaurants.
    “Judging from the dark circles under your eyes, you didn’t sleep well.”
    Laura swept crumbs into her hand and emptied them into the sink. “I kept thinking about that poor woman. To tell you the truth, I half expected our spirit to make another appearance to let me know if we’d found her…Lynnette.”
    “I thought she might, too.”
    Laura propped against the counter. “I used the time to write an article for the paper, which I won’t publish until we hear from Mitch.”
    Her cell phone vibrated. She pulled it from her pocket. Her sigh was audible when she spoke. “Deputy Carter?”
    “I’m at the back door. Are you up to talking?”
    “Sure. Give me a sec.”
    Phyllis said, “Why don’t you make a fresh pot of coffee. I’ll go down and let him in.”
    “I’m not an invalid, Aunt Philly.”
    “I know you’re not, dear. Although you mask the pain well, I can see how yesterday’s activities have taken a toll on your leg.”
    A smile touched Laura’s lips as she relented. “Okay, just know I’m making the coffee under protest.”
    After doing so, she went to her room and carried two morgue books out to the sun porch. She stood for a moment taking in the serenity. As soon as the news broke about finding the skeleton, Cole Harbor would become a hive of gossip and speculation—and in a perverse way would draw vulturous curiosity seekers.
    “Good morning, Friday.”
    Deep in thought, his voice startled her. Her skin jumped, and she chided herself. “Coffee’s fresh.”
    He nodded.
    Phyllis intervened. “You two go ahead with business.” She turned to the kitchen.
    “The scratches on your face look better this morning. At least you no