Before it was over, she’d have to know who that person had been, why they had died and why their grave had been on her land. She’d have to have the answers if she were to live in the home she’d chosen. She finished the last swallow of coffee as one of the police crew broke away from the group and came toward the porch. Maggie went to the steps to meet him.

“Ma’am.” He nodded to her but, to her relief, didn’t offer his hand. Instead, he took out a badge, flashing the cover up briefly. “I’m Lieutenant Reiker.”

She thought he looked like a middle-aged accountant and wondered if he carried a gun under his jacket. “Yes, Lieutenant.”

“We’re just about finished up. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

“That’s all right.” She gripped her hands together over the cup and wished she could go inside, to her music.

“I’ve got the trooper’s report, but I wonder if you could tell me how you happened to find the remains.”

Remains, Maggie thought with a shudder. It seemed a very cold word. For the second time, she related her story of the puppy’s digging. She did so calmly now, without a tremor.

“You just bought the place?”

“Yes, I only moved in a few weeks ago.”

“And you hired Delaney to do some landscaping.”

“Yes.” She looked down to where Cliff stood talking to another of the team. “The handyman I hired recommended him.”

“Mmm-hmm.” In a very casual way, the investigator took notes. “Delaney tells me you wanted the gully there dug out for a pond.”

Maggie moistened her lips. “That’s right.”

“Nice place for one,” he said conversationally. “I’d like to ask you to hold off on that for a while, though. We might need to come back and take another look around.”

Maggie’s hands twisted on the empty cup. “All right.”

“What we’d like to do is block off that area.” He hitched at his belt, then settled one foot on the step above the other. “Some chicken wire,” he said easily, “to keep your dog and any other stray animal from digging around in there.”

And people, Maggie thought, deciding it didn’t take a genius to read between the lines. Before the day was over, this would be the biggest news flash in the county. She was learning fast. “Do whatever you need to do.”

“We appreciate the cooperation, Miss Fitzgerald.” He twirled the pen in his fingers, hesitating.

“Is there something else?”

“I know it’s a bad time,” he said with a sheepish smile, “but I can’t pass it up. Would you mind signing my pad? I was a big fan of your mother’s, and I guess I know most all of your songs, too.”

Maggie laughed. It was far better to laugh. The day had been a series of one ludicrous event after another. “Of course.” She took the offered pad and pen. “Would you like me to say anything special?”

“Maybe you could just write—to my good friend Harvey.”