The police arrived half an hour later, swarming Stormclyffe as they studied the bones by the dovecote. From the safety of a window overlooking the gardens, Jane watched the activity. An anthropologist, who'd come upon Bastian's request, finished photographing and mapping the site. The bones appeared to be very old.

The authorities removed the remains, packed them into a coroner's vehicle, and drove off after midnight. A breath of relief escaped her lips as she watched the ...