Valdez gestured at several discarded boards. Those right there.

Must have taken hours, Harley remarked, thinking of the kids innocent thirst for adventure and suspecting it would never be quite so innocent again.

Valdez sighed, staring at the body. She didnt seem to be able to keep her eyes off it, as if she suspected the dead girl might move at any second. Time isnt the same when youre a kid, is it? she said.

Thank you, Officer Valdez, Callaway said with a polite smile. Well let you know if we need anything else.

Valdez gave him a grateful nod and walked off. When she was out of hearing, Harley squatted down beside the sunken mine entrance.

It fits, she said in a low voice, wishing she were wrong. The location, the restraints, the age.

Yep, Callaway answered with equal reluctance.

Harley studied the girls dark, dust-covered hair. How long would you say shes been here?

Callaway took a long breath that hissed against his teeth. Well have to wait for the ME to give a proper estimate, but Id be surprised if shes been here more than a day or two.

And even if you consider the time she may have been alive before being buried, its still under a week.

Yep, Callaway agreed again.

Same MOs, different times, Harley thought as a cold conviction rose up in her. I think he does it for the thrill, she said. Thats why he leaves them alivehe likes to hear their screams as he leaves them in the darkness. He likes the thrill of knowing

Rising suddenly, her heartbeat quickening, she turned and studied the faces of the people scattered around the area: police officers, paramedics, the trio of boys huddled together and casting nervous glances in their direction, the small knot of people the parents of the boys, probably being kept back by several officers.

What? Callaway said, his tone worried as he stepped toward her.

Harley kept her voice low. What if he comes back? What if he leaves them alive so he can…check up on them?

Thats a risky proposition.

And that could be exactly why he does it. All youd need is a good pair of binoculars to see if anyone was here. If he gets spooked, he leaves. If not…

He stays, Callaway answered grimly, picking up the thread. He gets off on it.

Harley shuddered. There was a second possibility that the killer might be a police officer, paramedic, or some other professional whod have cause to enter a crime scene but Harley didnt want to speak the idea aloud. It would do no good to start chasing rabbit trails.

Its just a theory, she said, relaxing her shoulders with an effort. It might be nothing.

But worth thinking about, at any rate. Callaways gaze seemed to carry a new sense of respect.

Harley cleared her throat. She felt suddenly shaky.

Callaway was watching her closely. You okay?