Callaway pursed his lips in a doubtful expression. As I mentioned before, the autopsy showed no signs of a fall. No rope burns, either, to suggest she had been lowered down.

Okay. Then why not climb down and follow the tunnel to wherever it exits?

Callaway counted on his fingers. One, you already told me how dangerous these tunnels are, so I dont fancy the idea of poking around in one. Two, there may be multiple shafts down there, and we could easily get lost. And three… He pointed at the dark hole. The tunnel collapsed, so unless you want to spend the rest of the day digging through to the other side… He shrugged.

Okay, okay, youve made your point. She wiped sweat from her forehead. You really think shes innocent, dont you?

I think we owe it to her to be thorough. Thats it.

Harley supposed she couldnt argue with that.

Alright, Callaway said. Well start at the entrance and move down the slope in concentric circles. Sound good?

Sure, Harley answered, cocking an eye at the rising sun. She just hoped they would find something before they passed out from heat exhaustion.

* * *

This is where I say we probably shouldnt go in there, Callaway said with a disappointed sigh as they stared at the opening in the hill. The ceiling was low, and the overhead support beam had cracked and sunk under the weight, but the entrance was still large enough for a human to walk through.

It had taken them most of two hours to find the mine. Harley was exhausted and drenched with sweat, but she forgot all her misery as she stared into the dark entrance. A thrill of excitement went through her.

It would be reckless, she agreed, playing along. We would be risking our lives.

Wed be crazy to go in there.

Complete idiots.

They looked at one another. A ghost of a smile tugged at Callaways mouth.

So what are we waiting for? he said.

Callaway pulled out a flashlight as he approached the mine. He scanned the ground, probably to make sure he wouldnt disturb any evidence, then moved into the darkness.

Harley followed, grateful for the merciful coolness of the tunnel. The sense of danger and excitement made her feel like a little girl again.

What happened to your concern about poking around down here? she said. Her voice sounded muffled in the confines of the shaft.

What can I say? If a little personal danger is the cost of finding a killer, Im willing to make that sacrifice.

A short distance into the mine, they came to a steep shelf between two walls of stone. At one point, a series of boards had provided stairs leading up to the shelf, but now those boards lay in broken pieces on the ground, half-buried in dirt.

Callaway approached the shelf. It must have been five feet high.

How tall would you say Candy is? he said.