Read Online The Stolen Bones by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online

there, and seemed caught up in their work. How could I make the best use of my time?
    I called George and Bess to join me for a water break. We gathered out of earshot of the others.
    “So, how was your hike with Tom?” Bess asked.
    I told them about the rock fall and the claw drag marks. “I’m starting to believe Tom is all right, though I can’t be one hundred percent sure.”
    “The jury is out on this whole bunch,” George said. “They’re all suspects, as far as I can see.”
    I took off my hat and ran my fingers through my hair. “So, what are we going to do next?”
    “Drink more water, for one thing,” George said.She peered into Bess’s face. “Are you all right?”
    Bess’s skin glistened with sweat. She looked droopy—and Bess never looks droopy.
    “I have a headache,” Bess said. “It’s just the heat. I’ve been drinking, really I have. But it’s so hot out here.”
    “Maybe you should rest for a while,” I said.
    George nodded. “You don’t want to get heatstroke. Keep cool, and keep drinking, but just a little at a time. We should have brought out a sports drink, for the salt and electrolytes.”
    “Why don’t you go back to camp?” I said. “Have a cold drink, and sit in the shade.”
    “One of us should walk back with you, in case you feel faint,” George said.
    Bess smiled. “How about I ask Kyle to take me back? I can pump him for information on the way.”
    George and I laughed. “I guess you’re not feeling too bad,” I said. “All right, see if you can get your handsome escort.”
    When Kyle saw how Bess looked, he quickly agreed to walk back with her. “It’s time to stop, anyway,” he said. “Hey, everyone! Let’s start cleaning up. I’m sure Felix will be waiting for us.”
    Kyle and Bess started back for camp, while the rest of us put away tools and made sure everything was secure for the night. I took a long look at thevaluable fossil. It couldn’t be moved yet, because the plaster was still damp. But now that it was out of the ground and completely covered, it was more a target for thieves than ever.
    I turned to George. “I have a hunch this is going to be an interesting night.”

9
Laws and Outlaws
    N obody talked much on the way back. I tried to strike up a conversation with Steffi, hoping I could lead it around to Jimmy, but she gave only one-word answers. Everyone looked hot and tired.
    A surprise awaited us at camp. Erlinda was there, talking to Kyle. George and I grabbed sodas from the cooler, then joined Bess in the shade.
    “What’s up?” I asked.
    “It’s like watching a play,” Bess said. “Erlinda was talking to Felix when we got here. She’s being really friendly now. She even started asking Kyle all these questions about fossils. How valuable they are, where you find them, things like that. And Kyle is trying hard not to tell her anything useful!”
    “Poor Kyle,” I said. “He must think everyone is out to get his fossils.”
    George smirked. “Speaking of poor Kyle, how was your walk back?”
    “Fine. He’s really nice.”
    I could tell from Bess’s tone that she no longer saw him as a hunky potential date. She went on. “It’s not just this dig that is getting him down. He and Steffi are together—they’re getting married soon. But they can’t afford a down payment on a house on his salary and her graduate student stipend. He’s afraid they’ll be in a tiny apartment forever.”
    That explained why Bess was no longer interested in Kyle. She’d never try to steal another girl’s boyfriend. “That’s too bad,” I said. “Unfortunately, it also gives Kyle and Steffi a motive for stealing the fossil, if they need the money.”
    Bess shook her head. “I just can’t believe they would do something like that. I spent a lot of time with Steffi today. She works hard, and I’m sure she’s honest. Kyle is a sweetheart too. I like them both.”
    “I do too, actually,” I said. “They seem nice, and so sincere